Tired. Just Plain Tired.
I’m tired—
tired of always taking the high road
and doing the right thing.
I’m tired.
Just plain tired.
I’m tired of playing devil’s advocate
and trying to view all sides of the issue.
I’m tired of being the parent,
the mediator,
the adult.
Tired. Just plain tired.
I’m tired of being the cook;
nobody likes the food anyway.
I’m tired of waking up every day
only to find that nothing has changed.
I’m tired of struggling to make ends meet.
Tired. Just plain tired.
Tired of the rat race.
Tired of running as fast as I can
and getting nowhere fast.
I’m tired of going around in circles.
Tired of looking for the answers
that aren’t right when I find them.
Tired. Just plain tired.
Tired of doing the same thing every day;
day after day after day.
Tired of not being able to do
what I want to do
without constant interruptions.
So very tired of being whom I’m expected to be
instead of just being myself.
I’m tired of doing and it’s never enough.
I’m tired of trying to just be.
Tired. Just plain tired.
I’m tired of living
but too lazy to die.
About This Poem
I wrote this in 2010, after several emotionally and spiritually exhausting years. At the time, I didn’t write it with the intention other as a way of processing what I was carrying.
I referenced this same season in my more recent post, “Faith, Healing & Letting Go,” where I talk about the long process of surrender and recovery, mentioning in passing that a large stone was being added to my pile. Tired. Just Plain Tired. was born during the middle of that process, when I felt completely emptied out.
This poem is me, raw, unfiltered, and worn down, but it also reflects something I’ve since realized: we often grow the most when we’re stripped down to nothing. I didn’t know it at the time, but writing this was part of the healing.
Mini Poetry Lesson
What kind of poem is this?
This is free verse, meaning it doesn’t follow a strict rhyme or meter. Instead, it relies on natural speech rhythms, repetition, and emotional cadence.
Poetic Techniques Used:
- Refrain: The repeated line “Tired. Just plain tired.” anchors the piece emotionally.
- Anaphora: Repetition of “I’m tired…” gives it rhythm and emphasis.
- Imagery: Grounded in real, lived experience (“nobody likes the food anyway”).
- Tone: Vulnerable, raw, and deeply relatable.
Is there a rhyme scheme?
No—this is non-rhyming free verse. The poem’s strength lies in its rhythm and honest voice, not rhyme.
Further Reading: Poetry and Emotional Writing
If you’re interested in learning more about the craft behind poems like this one, here are two excellent resources to explore:
- Poetry Foundation: What Is Free Verse? — A concise explanation of free verse poetry, the form used in this piece.
- MasterClass: How to Write Emotion – 5 Tips for Emotional Writing — A practical guide to capturing authentic feeling in your writing.
Whether you’re a poet, journaler, or creative writer, understanding how form and emotion work together can help you write more powerfully and truthfully.
I’d Love to Hear From You
If this poem resonated with you, you’re not alone. I’ve walked through long seasons of weariness, and writing was one of the ways I found healing. Have you ever written through exhaustion? Leave a comment below or share your story—I’d be honored to read it.
If you’re new here, feel free to explore more in the Poetry or Faith sections of the blog. And if you haven’t yet, take a moment to read Faith, Healing & Letting Go, where I reflect more deeply on this season of life.
Tags: emotional exhaustion poem, free verse poetry, burnout, vulnerability, mental health, faith and healing, poetry from life, tiredness, spiritual fatigue, poetry blog
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This is how i feel when i get tired. The writing is so easy to relate to because everyone feels tired and exhausted at some point and thinks that it will never get better. I have this feeling after almost every basketball practice but i know that things will turn around for me. Sometimes, even when your tired, you have to ride the wave and wait for the good. This piece was very accurate in a sense to how people really feel and it was funny to read. I really enjoyed it.
– Ben Marello
Ben,
Thank you. What could have improved the piece? Was it more tell than show?
I see no grammatical errors of any kind. I can’t find any run-on sentences or anything of the like. I also feel that there isn’t anything to correct that would make this a better read.
Gabriel,
Thank you. Remember critical analysis reading is not the same as editing. There is always room for improvement.
This piece relates to me so many ways. I become very tired daily after just walking down the stairs from the University and up the stairs to the third floor of MB. I become very tired of being on my feet all day while at work. Then I have to come back home and cook for my boyfriend too while being pregnant is very overwhelming at times. The old saying is “if you don’t get tired at some point in life, your not putting in enough effort. It becomes times when your life is not in order like you would want it to be and yes, you will become tired. After all this is a really good piece and i love how i can relate myself very well.
I have felt this way this entire year as I deal with Senior things. I feel like everyday there is something else someone wants me to do for them. I am the class Vice President and Salutatorian and when something needs to be done I am always asked to do it. I call flower shops for the graduation ceremony and plan meetings. I am also Vice President for multiple clubs which requires me ti plan meetings and decide what needs to be discussed. I work two jobs, take high school classes, and play sports year round, which takes most of my free time. Along with all of that I have OCD which cannot stand when my room or house is dirty, so I spend a lot of time cleaning. It seems like no matter what I do there is something else I have to do and get finished. It never ends.
I liked house you repeated “Tired. just plain tired.” it makes it clear that you have everything to do and no time to do it and you are nothing, but tired. This explained by life to a T and I cannot wait to graduate high school in a month.