When You’re Just Tired of People

Some mornings you wake up tired.
Other mornings, you wake up tired of people.

That phrase has become more common over the last few years. You hear it more and more—sometimes said as a joke, sometimes not.
Life is noisy. Demands are high. And whether you lead people, care for them, work alongside them, or live with them, it can eventually feel like too much.

The truth is, we’re all wired differently.

Some people feel energized after spending time with others. They thrive on interaction and feel most alive in a crowd.
Others feel depleted after too much people-time, even when it's good and meaningful. They may need space to reset and be able to show up fully again.

Neither is better. Just different.

But here’s what’s true for all of us, no matter how we’re wired:
We still need to rest.
Even the people who thrive on connection can use that constant motion as a way to avoid stillness.
And the ones who crave space can feel unnecessary guilt for needing it.

But we weren’t meant to give endlessly without being filled.

Even Jesus stepped away.

“Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
—Mark 6:31 (NKJV)

He had compassion for the people. But He also had boundaries.
He knew that compassion without rest eventually turns into burnout.

If Jesus needed space, so do we.

Final Thought

You don’t have to earn your worth by always being available. You don’t have to apologize for needing time to breathe.
Jesus modeled a rhythm of retreat and return, and that rhythm still works today.

Whether people fuel you or drain you, you weren’t meant to carry everyone all the time. Step back. Recharge. Then step back in when it’s time.

A Simple Prayer for Today

Lord, thank You for designing each of us uniquely. Help me not to compare how I’m wired to someone else. Give me grace to rest, strength to return, and wisdom to know when it’s time for both.
Amen.