A Slow, Boring Tragedy. Starring You.
Not every tragedy comes with violins.
Sometimes it looks like decent skincare, back-to-back meetings, and a Google Doc titled “Ideas” you haven’t opened in three months.
Most people don’t fail loudly.
They just drift. Quietly. Comfortably.
Wondering why life doesn’t feel like much of anything anymore.
Here’s how to know if your life has turned into a slow-burning snooze of your own making:
1. “Maybe next week” is your most-used phrase.
You’ve been rescheduling your joy for the last 12 Thursdays. Everything’s penciled in. Nothing’s happening.
2. You’re always busy but have nothing to show for it.
You’ve got calendar fatigue and a soul that’s asleep. When someone asks what you did this week, you talk about errands. That’s it—errands.
3. You call it burnout. It’s really avoidance.
“Burnout” makes it sound like you’ve been sprinting.
Truth is, you’ve been circling the same block, afraid to turn the corner.
4. You’ve been on the edge of starting something for six months.
The Pinterest board. The doc. The DM draft.
You’re waiting for courage, not clarity.
5. You’ve romanticized your rut.
You call it your “indie film era.” Mood lighting. Sad playlists. Existential sighs.
But vibes aren’t momentum.
6. You defend your routine like it pays your rent.
You say you hate your job. Your city. Your schedule.
But the moment someone suggests changing any of it, you turn into a defense attorney for your own misery.
7. You put in minimal effort with maximum anxiety.
Worst combo: no risk, all stress.
You’re worried about results you didn’t even give yourself a shot at.
8. Coffee memes are your primary love language.
You’re not quirky. You’re just tired and emotionally under-stimulated.
9. You have hot takes and cold feet.
You analyze everyone else’s moves like a TED Talk.
But when it’s your turn? Silence.
You lack motion.
10. You’re pretending time is on your side.
You act like the life you want will show up when you’re finally “ready.”
It won’t.
It shows up when you stop waiting.
If any of this stings, good.
It means you’re still in there somewhere. Still paying attention.
Start small.
Start today.
Just don’t stay here.
— Shaunté
📚 PS: If you liked this, my book Self-Help-ish is full of sharp truths.
💌 PPS: If someone forwarded this to you, hit that subscribe button and come sit with us next week.