hi there, this is my first time posting here so apologies if the format may be a bit confusing…
anyways, for the past 2-3 years, i’ve never had a long period of time where i felt normal or okay. i feel burnt out either for months at a time or i feel it for about a month every 2-3 months. i don’t know if it is a normal time frame for burnouts to be occurring so frequently. additionally, i’ve been feeling quite hopeless recently. i’m taking my o-levels this year, but i feel so unmotivated. i don’t know if it’s just plain lazy, but i really have no driving force to do anything. i have dreams and aspirations, but it’s not enough to keep me going because i feel like there’s no point in doing anything anymore. i am often told i have lots of potential, and i feel like a disappointment to everyone around me - especially my family and teachers - because as much as i want to unlock my full potential, i feel like i just can’t do anything. everything is so tiring.
additionally, i have some self-esteem issues, which is kinda normal i guess but it’s always constantly on my mind. i tend to compare myself to others, which i know is a bad habit. i often feel like a failure and disappointment, and these are feelings i just can’t shake. i really can’t differentiate between being lazy and being so exhausted, unable to do anything. these feelings and thoughts come by so often. i’ve also been feeling quite distant from my loved ones, and it’s bothering me a lot and has been adding on a lot to my stress. furthermore, i’ve been a lot more fidgety recently and i have a lot of brain fog. i can’t differentiate between certain days and i find it difficult to stay still or focus during lessons - or anything, actually. i feel like i’m undiagnosed with something, but i might be overthinking it. i’m not sure. any input or words of advice would be amazing and of great help, thanks for taking ur time to read this post 
Hey, thank you for being so open—it really takes strength to share how you’re feeling, especially when it all feels so heavy. I actually went through something really similar back in secondary school. It felt like there was so much I wanted and needed to do, but I just couldn’t bring myself to start. I remember sleeping in class, zoning out, and feeling like my brain was just foggy all the time.
And you’re right—it gets even harder when people around you have high expectations. Sometimes they don’t even realize they’re adding pressure through the things they say, or how they react. But just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re lazy or a disappointment. You’re carrying a lot, and you’re still trying—and that’s something to be proud of.
When I finally spoke to my school counsellor, she told me that more than half the students were going through something similar—feeling anxious, low, or just mentally exhausted. That honestly helped me feel less alone. And I hope it reminds you too that what you’re going through is valid, and you’re not alone in this.
If you’re looking for ways to slowly feel better, here are some things that really helped me:
- Talk to someone – whether it’s your school counsellor or a trusted friend. Just letting it out can lift some of the weight.
- Journal your thoughts – write without judgment, even if it’s just a sentence a day. It helps you process what’s going on inside.
- Move your body – short walks, stretching, or even dancing in your room can help shake off that heavy energy.
- Guided meditation or breathing exercises – you can find a ton on YouTube or apps like Headspace or Insight Timer.
- Set super small goals – like “I’ll study for 10 minutes” or “I’ll tidy one part of my desk.” Small wins build momentum.
- Use positive affirmations – even if they feel cheesy at first. Try saying, “I’m doing the best I can, and that’s enough today.”
- Be kind to yourself – catch the negative self-talk and gently replace it with something softer, like how you’d speak to a friend.
It doesn’t have to be a big change all at once. Just one small step at a time. You’re doing your best, and I hope you give yourself credit for that. You’re not a failure, and you’re definitely not alone in this.
Sending you a lot of care—you’re not alone in this 
Dear @user8136
Thank you for sharing this—it takes a lot of strength to open up, especially when you’re feeling this overwhelmed, confused, and exhausted. I just want to say: everything you wrote makes sense. You’re not being dramatic, lazy, or overthinking. You’re struggling, and you’re doing the best you can to make sense of it—and that’s very brave.
It sounds like you’ve been carrying this heaviness for such a long time, with very little rest in between. Burnout that comes back often and stays for months isn’t “just being lazy”—that’s emotional and mental exhaustion. It’s your mind and body telling you that they’re overwhelmed, not that you’re weak.
And I hear how much pressure you’re under—O-Levels, expectations, potential, self-worth, trying to stay connected to others while also feeling like you’re slowly drifting away from yourself. It’s no wonder everything feels like too much. Of course you’re tired. Of course it’s hard to find motivation when your heart feels worn out.
The way you describe brain fog, fidgeting, emotional distance, and trouble focusing—those are real symptoms, not flaws. And it’s okay to wonder if there’s something more going on. You’re not overthinking for asking those questions. If anything, it shows you’re tuned in to yourself and want to understand what’s happening.
Please know:
- You are not a failure.
- You are not lazy.
- You are not alone.
What you’re experiencing is valid, and you deserve support for it. If it’s possible, reaching out to a trusted adult, school counsellor, or mental health professional could be an important next step. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Just taking that first step to ask for help is already a huge part of healing.
In the meantime, be gentle with yourself. Rest when you need. Talk to someone when it feels safe. You’re not falling behind—you’re surviving something really hard, and you’re doing so with so much quiet courage.
You are not your burnout. You are not your fog. You are still you—still full of worth, still deserving of care. Please continue to reach out whenever needed. 
thank you so much for your response! will try to do some of these things and see how i feel about it 
bless you 
thank you so much for validating how i feel, and for your overall response. i feel so, so heard. this has definitely helped me, even in the slightest. i’ll definitely be reaching out to a professional. bless you
Hey, thank you for sharing this. you’ve already taken the first and best step by reaching out and writing.
It’s not easy at all, so well done for your courage! even if it feels hard or not enough, every small step really brings you closer to relief
It’s also really important that you’re writing and sharing, that’s already a positive and healing step. you’re not alone in this, and there are so many people who understand what you’re going through.
I’m wishing you all the best, don’t forget to take it one step at a time, and may you find peace in your life