THE ART OF QUIET COMEBACKS: Part 5. Weariness Is Not Weakness

Part 5. Weariness Is Not Weakness

A series about starting over gently, honestly, and without apology

We reside in a world that frequently equates strength with continuous motion. Many believe strength is nonstop motion. The world keeps declaring:

Push harder!

Keep going!

Never stop!

As motivational as those words seem to be, moments of weariness should not be downplayed, and that is one tiny but powerful truth we tend to neglect. We tend to overlook the subtle truth that lies just beneath the surface, a thin thread of truth we often choose to ignore.

Weariness is not weakness. This is a powerful truth we often overlook, and many have died in silence because of this. It appears the default line of thought many people have imbibed is that, when someone is weary, he or she is weak. That is not true, that mentality is a misconception of weariness.

The Truth About Weariness

Weariness is not weakness. Weariness is not a failure of character, neither is it a malfunctioning of character. The truth is that:

Weariness is a signal.

Weariness is an echo of endurance.

Weariness is a signal of effort.

Weariness is a sign of being human.

Why Weariness Is Not a Flaw

1. It is earned, not avoided.

Weariness does not show up uninvited, it is the aftermath of long days of showing up. It arrives after you have given your best, after long periods of bearing burdens that others either see or may never see. We need to stop thinking weariness is a sign of weakness, it is not. Rather, it is proof that you have been strong and remained strong for an extended period.

Weariness often comes from pushing yourself hard, whether physically, mentally or emotionally. It is simply a sign that you have been enduring, not giving up.

2.  Weariness visits the mighty.

The strongest among us has an intimate experience of weariness. We have strong parents, leaders, counsellors, athletes, caregivers, dreamers, warriors etc. and these persons have poured out love, they have pulled out wisdom, spent energy and drilled a lot of hope. At some points, their strength will wane and when this occurs, it is not because they have suddenly become broken or grown weak. It is simply because they have been brave, especially when this transpires over a long period of time. The truth is, the strongest among us knows weariness on an intimate level. The fact that they do not give up does not mean they have never been wearied.

3. Weariness is a call to pause, not quit.

When weariness sets in, it does not mean the fight has been lost. It simply means you need a moment to breathe; it is a call to rest, and a time to recalibrate. Weariness is a sign of been burnout, ignoring it does not make you stronger, it only makes you brittle; you wear a cheerful and confident look while your emotions drown in the pool of intense pressure.

Recognizing weariness is strength. This is a sign of self-awareness and the wisdom to pause before burnout. However, don’t stop there, ensure you do the needful, that is where the showcase of true strength lies, because that strength has been materialized.

True wisdom lies in heeding the quiet invitation to pause and rest.

Paying attention to signs of weariness is wisdom.

Playing deaf ears is foolishness, your health will bear the brunt.

Be careful how you interpret what the world says to you, because:

To “Push harder” does not mean don’t pause to rest.

To “Keep going” does not mean ignoring moments you need to recalibrate your emotions.

To “Never stop” does not mean don’t take a break.

Remember, JS Havilah cares about you, yes, you!

Part 6 of THE ART OF QUIET COMEBACKS is quietly on its way.

Come back for every installment.
Come back to remember you’re not alone.
Come back, not to catch up, but to catch your breath.

Still becoming,

JS Havilah