Everyone starts the New Year off with that nerve to make changes. Some last, some don’t. Instead of being a positivity pusher, encouraging you to keep going? I’m going to honor where it’s coming from instead. Burnout is real, aches that hit over the holidays and don’t sink in until the routine returns are true too. All of that is honest emotions. and this week’s theme.

Like when it’s hard to say what you really mean. Or when you can’t tell your up from down and silence feels like the safest way forward. That hollow that comes from fatigue or indecision so you choose nothing instead.

Hollow – Alice In Chains

Or when the distance hits, and makes you feel disconnected from everything. Your social life, your passions, maybe even yourself. You know you’re going to survive, but you’re a little bit tired of your life, and coping instead of thriving like you hoped for.

Numb Little Bug – Em Beihold

Maybe you’re just too tired, and need a rest. Could you be wanting that person that tethers you back to bring you back? That love and care that bridges the gap, reaches out, and brings you back home. For me, that’s a good playlist too, and that anchor ends up in the character works too.

Tired – Alan Walker ft. Gavin James

This version of numb was a hard choice, between Pink Floyd comfortably numb and Linkin Park. But this one comes with that feeling that you’re not enough, that feeling that you make too many mistakes. I get it, because I have anxiety, and sometimes I do fine, then the next day I am convinced I did bad things the day before and screwed everything up. Of course, I haven’t, it’s a lie to myself, but it’s still a real valid feeling that can cause you to feel like shutting down when you were trying to do better.

Numb – Linkin Park

Another tough choice… Hurt by nine inch nails or johnny cash hits different, but in the end? I remind you like I remind myself and my characters. Everybody hurts sometimes. Many different reasons and ways to cope, but you are not alone in feeling void of feelings. We are connected even if we don’t know each others struggles. Pleasure and pain, joy and sadness are universal conditions without barriers. Only what you limit yourself to saying to others.

Everybody Hurts – R.E.M.