Why am I so tired & unmotivated recently?
You’re Not Broken - You’re Misaligned: Why Clarity Beats Hustle Every Time
Let’s Be Real
There’s a huge difference between being broken and being out of alignment.
I’ve had moments in my life where I was convinced I was the problem - burnt out, full of imposter syndrome, pushing myself with zero direction. Early 20s? I leaned on alcohol probably too much, regretting so many things. Late 2024? I was all over the shop, not clear on what I wanted, doing too much, with too little clarity. I wasn’t broken. I just wasn’t living in a way that matched my values, energy, or priorities.
And I’m not alone. Most people who feel “off” aren’t falling apart - they’re just out of sync with themselves.
Productivity Hacks Won’t Save You
The current culture loves hustle. Stack the to-do list, set the 5 a.m. alarm, crank the Pomodoro timer. But here’s the thing: productivity hacks are pointless if your energy is in the gutter or your goals don’t mean anything to you.
The result? Burnout, frustration, and this weird feeling like you’re doing a lot but getting nowhere. This disconnect; between what matters and what you’re doing isn’t laziness. It’s psychological misalignment, and it’s one of the biggest drivers of stress and dissatisfaction (King, 2025; Light, 2018).
Alignment isn’t Flowery. It’s Fuel.
Alignment is about living in a way that reflects who you are and what actually matters to you. It’s values-driven. Purpose-centered. Day-to-day, it looks like making decisions that don’t drain your soul.
When you’re not aligned, you’ll notice:
You say yes to the wrong things
You move through the day without intention
You second-guess everything
Your energy’s shot
That’s not just a vibe issue; it’s a psychological one. Studies show that people with high self-concept clarity (i.e. a clear understanding of who they are) experience stronger intrinsic motivation, better emotional regulation, and higher overall well-being (Coutts et al., 2023; Özcan et al., 2025). When you know who you are, you don’t need to fake momentum; it comes naturally.
The Self-Audit That Changed Everything
For me, the big shift didn’t come from a new tool; it came from asking better questions. More often.
Self-auditing isn’t complicated. It’s about pressing pause and checking in with how you’re actually doing:
What’s giving me energy?
What’s draining it?
What’s working right now?
What do I need to stop, start, or continue?
Sometimes the answer is “you’re on track-keep going.” Sometimes it’s “you're off-course; course-correct.” The point is: it’s upstream work. You catch misalignment before it spirals.
This kind of reflection taps into what psychologists call self-regulation - a key part of lasting behaviour change (Chen et al., 2017). And here’s the bonus: it builds self-trust. Every time you check in and act honestly, you reinforce that you’ve got your own back.
5. Clarity Beats Effort. Every Time.
Late last year, I felt misaligned again. I didn’t force myself through it. I paused. I asked questions. I made a tweak upstream.
And guess what? Even though the outcome is still unfolding, I’m clear. I’m confident. I’m acting with intention. That clarity? It gives me more momentum than any productivity app ever could.
6. You’re Not Broken. You’ve Just Evolved.
What worked for you last month might not work now; and that’s okay. Your environment, your priorities, your recovery. Small things like your sleep can shift your energy and focus.
Trying to stick to rigid routines when your inner world has changed is like using last year’s map in a new city. Self-concept clarity helps you keep pace with your own evolution (Light, 2018). It's not indulgent to check in;it’s essential.
When you’re aligned:
You feel grounded and focused
You do more of what matters
You stop living for the next dopamine hit
You feel energised instead of depleted
Honestly? It just feels fucking good.
7. Want to Realign? The Alignment Accelerator is For You.
If you’re reading this and nodding; even a little… you’re probably due a recalibration. The good news? You’re not alone. And you’re not behind. You’re ready.
The Alignment Accelerator is designed for people who:
Know there’s more in them, but feel stuck in loops
Want real clarity; not bullshit
Crave energy, confidence, and momentum heading into Q4
We don’t sell hype. We build habits grounded in clarity, values, and psychology. It’s practical. It’s personal. It’s straight-up transformational.
References
Chen, J. A., Fearey, E., & Smith, R. E. (2017). That which is measured improves: A theoretical and empirical review of self-monitoring in self-management and adaptive behavior change. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Mental Health, 1(4), 19–38. https://openaccesspub.org/behavior-therapy-and-mental-health/article/386
Coutts, J. J., Al-Kire, R. L., & Weidler, D. J. (2023). I can see (myself) clearly now: Exploring the mediating role of self-concept clarity in the association between self-compassion and indicators of well-being. PLOS ONE, 18(6), e0286992. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286992
King, E. (2025, January). Master your mind and energy. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/leadership-diversity-and-wellness/202501/master-your-mind-and-energy
Light, A. E. (2018). Self-concept clarity, self-regulation, and psychological well-being. In Self-concept clarity and goal pursuit (pp. 177–193). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71547-6_10
Özcan, M., Çekmecelioğlu, H. G., & Konakay, G. (2025). Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: The mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation. BMC Psychology, 13, Article 470. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02800-2