Exhausted, or Just Afraid of Being Judged?

How much energy do you spend just trying not to be judged?

We work hard. We show up.
But often… not from peace. Not from joy.

We show up from fear.

Fear of being misunderstood.

Fear of sounding unprofessional.
Fear of saying the wrong thing.
Fear of being too much, or not enough.
Fear of being exposed as not smart enough.
Fear of rejection if we speak our truth.

A client once shared something that struck me deeply:

“I’m not exhausted from the work itself.
I’m exhausted from constantly worrying how I’m perceived.”

Can you relate?

This fear doesn’t clock out at 5 p.m.
It follows us home.
It shows up as Sunday dread.
It drives overwork, perfectionism, people-pleasing — all in a quiet attempt to feel safe, seen, or secure.

This is what the survival brain does.

It whispers:

“Don’t mess up. Don’t stand out. Stay safe.”

But here’s the truth:
What it’s protecting you from… might just be the thing that brings you back to life.

🧠 Mini M.E. Fitness Practice

Take 3 deep breaths.
Then ask yourself:

What kind of judgment am I afraid of right now?

Name it. Feel it.
Not to feed it, but to loosen its grip.

Because awareness is power.
Once you recognize the voice of fear, you can choose courage.

You can:

• Speak up in the meeting

• Have the difficult conversation 

• Set the boundary

• Take the risk

• Lead with truth, not with protection

And you might just be rewarded with:
✨ Less anxiety
✨ Stronger performance
✨ Deeper, more genuine relationships