How can I deal with people when I have no energy?

Post Reply New Topic

When I have enough energy I don't look all that different. Most people don't bother me when I have enough energy. If I don't have enough energy, I'm spacing out or extremely stressed people don't leave me alone.

They always ask me if I'm okay and they don't care if I tell them I'm fine. They always rely on my non-verbal signals. I've seen pictures of myself with a neutral expression and I always look miserable when my face is neutral. When I'm asked if I'm okay I don't usually have enough energy to make myself "look okay".

They always continue asking me difficult to answer questions. I avoid answering them because I always say weird things when I'm put on the spot or tired. I always try to give them short and non-descript answers.

Do you have any good scripts I can say that will signal to people that I'm fine and do not want or need their help at all? I once tried my mom's advice to say I'm fine in a happy and confident voice, but that wasn't convincing enough.

Just say that you are having somewhat of a bad day, but that you could handle it. I find that this works for most people.

Saying that you're "fine" indicates that you are in denial (hence, from the viewpoint of one who cares [or "cares"], in need of help)

Saying that you are experiencing life's ups and downs, but that you are handling it, shows that you are using a proactive approach to trying to resolve any issue; hence, people who either care or "care" will usually leave you alone in this instance.

I had this happen to me for years, and it only began to change after I got in my twenties. I think because I learned to put on a fake smile for jobs, it became more habitual for me to put that face on. Plus I think people stop getting so concerned as you get older. It was the worst when I was a teenager and everyone kept telling me to smile and asking if I was okay all the time. I just wanted to be left alone. So then if I reacted with annoyance or didn't smile on command it only "proved" they were right.

I have times where I just feel too tired to interact with people. My face droops a little and it gets harder to speak. It's kind of like I have some sort of mild palsy. Just feels like muscle weakness. I think people mistake that for an emotional expression.

You could try telling people, "This is just how my face looks." I don't know, I never figured out what to say to people who do that.