Mental care to try when you're feeling tired

Just before opening the store doors in the morning. My heart pounds, and my palms sweat.

Have you ever experienced that?

Actually, I work as an apparel store clerk and interact with customers every day, but in my private life, I am completely shy.
Even now, there are many times when I get nervous.
Conversations with new customers, serving customers during busy hours, unfamiliar tasks... sometimes just thinking about it makes my heart race.

However, it is precisely because I had the experience of suffering from mental illness when I was a new graduate that I was able to find my own way of "centering my mind."
Today, I would like to share with you, who are prone to nervousness, the mental care that I practice.

📌 The day I realized that nervousness isn't a "bad thing"

It was my third month after joining a housing manufacturer as a new graduate.
Every morning while getting ready, my heart would pound and my palms would sweat.
Days continued where it felt like I was walking through a dark tunnel every morning.

When I thought, "I'm nervous again... what should I do?", the nervousness would intensify, and just thinking about it would make me tired.

Yes, I was blaming myself for "being nervous."

However, it is precisely because I had the experience of suffering from mental illness when I was a new graduate that I was able to find my own way of "centering my mind."
When I started working part-time in apparel, the words a customer taught me changed my way of thinking.

That person said this while choosing a spring cardigan.

"You're nervous, aren't you? But you know, being nervous is proof that you're trying to face things properly."

At that moment, I was struck by it.

Nervousness is a sign that you are "facing things seriously."
It was my own kindness, trying to face the present moment without running away.

🧠 The mechanism of "fatigue" revealed by brain science

From 2024 to 2025, interesting discoveries regarding "fatigue" and "mental care" have been appearing one after another in brain science research.

According to research published in 2025 by a research team at Tohoku University, it was found that neural signals in the brain have a rhythm of approximately 24 hours (circadian rhythm), and when this rhythm is disrupted, feelings of fatigue increase.

In particular, during the morning hours, adenosine, a neurotransmitter related to sleepiness, accumulates in the brain, and neural activity is suppressed.

Also, research at the University of Tsukuba revealed that the brain performs "offline maintenance" during deep sleep.

The brain is actually not resting even during sleep.
Comparing it to a computer, it's a state where a maintenance program is running in the background.
It is said that by dreaming, it organizes memories, processes emotions, and solves creative problems.

In other words, "resting" and "centering your mind" when you are tired is the most necessary care for your brain.

💕 How to calm your mind when you're tired, learned from working in customer service

Working in retail, there are moments when I can tell a customer is tired just by looking at their expressions and gestures.

A female customer in her early 30s.
She kept picking up a spring dress, putting it back, and picking it up again.
When I suggested she try it on, she looked apologetic and said, "...Is that okay? I'm not sure if I'm going to buy it."

The moment she came out of the fitting room, I couldn't help but say, "Wow, that looks amazing on you." But she shook her head.

"Do you think so? ...I don't think this kind of thing suits me."

That was when I realized.
What she was struggling with wasn't whether the product was good or bad.
She didn't have confidence in herself, or perhaps her heart was so tired that she couldn't believe in herself anymore.

"The color of this dress really complements your skin tone. That's why your face looks so bright."

I told her specifically what looked good and why.

"...Really?"

Her expression gradually brightened.
"...I'll take it," she said, deciding on the spot.

As we headed to the register, she said this to me:

"When I talk to you, I feel like I can have confidence in myself."

At that moment, I felt like I had been struck by lightning.

What a tired heart needs isn't the words "do your best," but the validation that "you are wonderful just as you are right now."

✨ 3 mental care practices I use

1. Morning coffee and a digital detox

In the morning, I turn off my smartphone. I brew a hot cup of coffee and sit by the window. While reading, I prepare my mind for the day ahead.

This one hour is what makes me who I am.

By not looking at my phone, I don't get swayed by other people's information. By having this quiet time just for myself, I feel my mind settling down.

Brain science research also suggests that the morning is the optimal time for learning and memory formation.

2. A way of thinking to find the 'good' in things

Try thinking that everything is 'good.' Then, think about 'why it was good' afterward.
And then think about 'why it was good' later.

On a day when I couldn't go out because of the rain, I'd say, 'It's good. I was able to read a book slowly at home.' On a day when I failed at customer service, I'd say, 'It's good. I learned something I can use next time.'

Surprisingly, with this, I've become able to think positively about most things. It doesn't have to be perfect. 60-70% is fine.

Once I started being able to think that way, my heart felt much lighter.

3. Say kind words to yourself

On nights when I'm tired, I look in the mirror and say to myself, 'Good job today.'

When I was a new graduate and struggling with my mental health, I used to only blame myself.
I'd say, 'Why can't I do this?' or 'I'm a useless person.'

But it's different now. I try to say kind words to myself, like 'You did your best' and 'Tomorrow will be a better day.'

Treat yourself with the same kindness you show others.
Just doing that has made my heart feel much more at ease.

🌸 It doesn't have to be perfect, it's okay to be a work in progress

Especially when you're tired, please don't blame yourself.

Feeling nervous or anxious is proof that you are taking things seriously.

First, please acknowledge yourself for doing your best.

I'm not doing everything perfectly every day either.
There are days when I get nervous, and days when I feel down.
But that's okay. It doesn't have to be perfect.

It's okay to be a work in progress.

Let's live our own lives together.

It's been a year since I started note. There was a period where I didn't sell anything for 100 days.
But by continuing steadily, I can now afford to go on solo trips with my note earnings.

My morning coffee and reading time are also habits that were born from starting note.

There are days when I release a paid note and it doesn't sell, and of course, there are times when it's a total failure, but that's okay too.

There is no need to be perfect; in fact, those very experiences serve as raw, primary information that leads to new growth.

So, let's keep doing our best without rushing.

It's a small bit of breathing room, but this is what it means for me to 'live life on my own terms.'

You can definitely do it too✨

▶️The 'two perspectives' that were more important than the number of followers or likes

▶️【Must-see for those whose notes aren't selling】Story design that dominates the reader's subconscious

Yurippe
note x Solo Travel x Mindset
On Instagram, I also share photos from the solo trips I was able to take thanks to note.
Threads/Instagram: @yuripe_ai

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