This month, I’ve been exploring paradoxes—particularly the tension between wellbeing and high performance. Can we truly have both? I believe we can. Last week, I shared the idea of being arsed—the importance of taking small actions today that prevent bigger problems down the line. This week, I want to tackle another paradox: the desire for energy, mood, and motivation right now— why we need to stop borrowing it from tomorrow and the real cost of sacrificing recovery.
What Does Borrowing From Tomorrow Mean?
Think about how often we push ourselves beyond healthy limits:
- Skipping breaks to power through
- Sacrificing sleep to meet deadlines
- Ignoring hunger cues because we’re “too busy” to eat properly
In each of these moments, we’re not just draining today’s energy—we’re dipping into tomorrow’s reserves. It’s like using a credit card with sky-high interest. Eventually, the debt catches up, and the price is steep: burnout, fatigue, and declining performance.
The Real Cost of Ignoring Recovery
Borrowing energy from tomorrow might work in the short term, but it’s shortsighted. Over time, it leads to:
- Poor Energy: Fatigue creeps in, making it harder to stay focused and productive.
- Low Mood: Chronic stress depletes the neurotransmitters responsible for happiness and resilience.
- Reduced Motivation: When you’re running on empty, even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
And the impact doesn’t stop there. Neglecting recovery today, tomorrow and in the future can lead to long-term health consequences—reduced mobility, increased injury risk, and a diminished ability to enjoy life fully.
The Power of Prioritising Today
So, how do we break this cycle of borrowing from tomorrow? It doesn’t have to be about grand gestures, it’s about small, but consistent choices:
- Take short breaks throughout the day (those slivers of recovery I often talk about).
- Prioritise quality sleep—your brain and body recover while you rest.
- Fuel yourself properly with nutritious food and hydration.
- Move your body regularly, even if it’s just a brisk 10-minute walk.
These little actions act like investments—not withdrawals—building resilience, energy, and wellbeing for both today and tomorrow.
What’s one small thing you can do today to protect your future energy?
If you found this idea helpful, stay tuned for more insights next week. In the meantime, be arsed to look after yourself—you’ll thank yourself tomorrow.
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