"Lately, I don't want to do anything."
Sora muttered in the library. She didn't even have the energy to open her usual notebook.
Hiyori sat next to her. "Are you tired?"
"Not physically, but mentally," Sora said quietly.
Mira also came closer. Silently sat next to Sora.
Hiyori asked gently, "How does it feel?"
"Everything feels like a bother. Things that should be fun aren't fun."
"That might be a sign of psychological fatigue," Hiyori explained.
"Psychological fatigue?"
"A state where mental energy is depleted. Also called burnout syndrome."
Sora was surprised. "I'm burned out?"
"It's possible," Hiyori said carefully. "There are several signs."
Mira took out a notebook and began writing Hiyori's words.
"First, emotional numbness. Difficulty feeling joy or sadness."
Sora nodded. "Lately, I don't feel anything."
"Next, depersonalization. A sense of unreality, moving automatically."
"That too," Sora acknowledged.
"Fatigue, decreased concentration, irritability over small things."
Sora looked down. "All of them apply."
Hiyori said gently, "Haven't you been pushing yourself?"
"I thought I had to work hard," Sora said quietly. "To keep up with everyone."
Mira held Sora's hand. No words, but there was warmth.
Hiyori continued explaining. "Psychological fatigue results from long-term stress."
"Stress?"
"Environmental stress, relationship stress, stress from self-expectations."
Sora thought. "Pressure on myself might be the biggest."
"Do you have perfectionist tendencies?" Hiyori asked.
"I do," Sora admitted. "I can't forgive myself for not being able to do things."
Hiyori nodded. "That's a major factor in mental exhaustion."
"What should I do?" Sora asked.
"First, acknowledge that you're tired."
"Acknowledge?"
"Tell yourself 'I'm tired.' Don't deny it."
Sora said slowly, "I'm tired."
"Well said," Hiyori smiled.
Mira wrote in the notebook. "Resting isn't bad."
"Exactly," Hiyori acknowledged. "Rest isn't laziness. It's necessary care."
Sora said anxiously, "But while I'm resting, everyone else moves ahead."
"That might be cognitive distortion," Hiyori gently pointed out.
"Distortion?"
"Life isn't a race. You can proceed at your own pace."
Mira nodded. She empathized.
Hiyori continued, "There's a concept called self-care."
"Self-care?"
"Taking care of yourself. Meeting physical, mental, and emotional needs."
Sora took out her notebook. "Specifically?"
"Sufficient sleep, nutritious meals, moderate exercise."
"Basic things," Sora murmured.
"Basics are most important," Hiyori emphasized. "But when tired, we tend to neglect basics."
Mira wrote. "Time for things you enjoy."
"Yes. Time for pleasure. Not obligation, but pure joy."
Sora thought. "Lately, I haven't done anything for pleasure."
"That's also a sign of burnout," Hiyori explained. "Everything becomes an obligation."
"How can I get it back?"
"Start small. Ten minutes a day doing something you like."
Sora said anxiously, "I can't waste even ten minutes."
"That's not 'waste,'" Hiyori corrected. "It's investment. Investment in your mind."
Mira wrote in the notebook. "Rest restores energy."
"Exactly," Hiyori nodded. "Running without rest, you'll eventually collapse."
Sora laughed slightly. "I'm already about to collapse."
"Realizing it is important," Hiyori encouraged. "You can still recover now."
"How long does recovery take?"
"It varies by person. But don't rush is important."
Sora sighed. "Not rushing is difficult."
"I understand," Hiyori empathized. "But rushing delays recovery."
Mira wrote. "One step at a time."
"Yes. Don't aim for perfect recovery. Just get a little better."
Sora asked, "Are there other signs of mental exhaustion?"
"Social withdrawal. Not wanting to meet people."
"That too," Sora acknowledged.
"Physical symptoms. Headaches, stomachaches, insomnia."
Sora was surprised. "I've had a lot of headaches lately."
"Mind and body are connected," Hiyori explained. "Mental fatigue appears in the body."
"Is the reverse true?"
"Yes. Resting the body also eases the mind."
Mira made tea and handed it to Sora.
"Thank you," Sora accepted it. The warmth seeped into her heart.
Hiyori continued, "Support from others is also important self-care."
"Others?"
"Don't carry it alone. Talk to someone you trust."
Sora looked at the two. "Can I talk?"
"Of course," Hiyori smiled.
Mira nodded.
"I don't want to burden you," Sora said anxiously.
"Talking isn't a burden," Hiyori said. "Rather, it's proof of trust."
"But—"
"By listening, we also learn. And being able to support you makes us happy."
Sora almost cried. "Thank you."
Mira placed her hand on Sora's shoulder. No words, but she was there.
Hiyori said quietly, "When your mind is tired, it's not weakness."
"Then what?"
"Humanity. Proof that there are limits."
Sora took a deep breath. "Is it okay to have limits?"
"Yes. Everyone does."
Mira wrote. "Don't have to be perfect."
Sora laughed a little. "Everyone tells me that."
"Because it's that important," Hiyori said.
The three sat quietly in the library. Sharing mental fatigue.
"From today, I'll try resting a bit," Sora said.
"Good decision," Hiyori acknowledged.
"I feel guilty though."
"That guilt will also decrease with time," Hiyori encouraged.
Mira showed the notebook. "You are important."
Sora wiped tears. "Thank you."
Hiyori smiled. "Signs of mental exhaustion are an invitation to rest."
"An invitation," Sora murmured. "Not a bad thing."
"Not at all," Hiyori said. "Rather, it's a message from your body and mind."
The three sat quietly. Acknowledging mental fatigue and beginning to heal. That's the first step to recovery.
Sora closed her notebook. "Today, I won't push myself anymore."
"That's today's effort," Hiyori said.
Mira smiled. Without words, there was understanding.
Soft light filled the library. When the mind is tired, resting becomes the most courageous choice. And having people to support you. That alone makes it a little easier.