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- I Was Dead Tired For Days Until I Did This One Thing
I Was Dead Tired For Days Until I Did This One Thing
Warning: involves reggaeton
Alex Bancu
February 01, 2025
Monday evening. I'm staring at my laptop, eyes burning.
The baby kept me up most of the night. Been at the bank all morning dealing with paperwork. Messages keep buzzing with work notifications because I'm on-call.
I haven't hit the gym in days.
The worst part was that I couldn't be present with my family. I was just going through the motions, checking tasks off my list, and constantly thinking about the next thing to do.
You know how it gets: Everything piles up, your routines fall apart, your energy hits rock bottom, and you start believing you have no control over how you feel.
But that's not true.
The Turning Point
The following day, feeling like sh*t, I was getting ready for a trip. Shuffling through music, and something clicked.
I put on some reggaeton.
Not productivity music. Not binaural beats. Just pure, fun reggaeton.
And I started dancing.
In the middle of a tough week, I remembered something important: we have more control over our state than we think.
The Energy Toolkit: What Works
Since that moment, I've been more intentional about managing my energy. Here's what works:
1. The Music Strategy
I use different music for different situations:
Reggaeton → disconnect and remember to have fun
Binaural beats/chill techno → deep focus
Classical/movie soundtracks → admin work
Simple rule: Switch genres based on what you need.
2. The Vitamin D Factor
Quick disclaimer: Not medical advice, but a megadose of Vitamin D during winter makes a huge difference. Seasonal depression? Never heard of it.
3. Screen Breaks That Help
When you're working a lot on the laptop (like I did this week), your eyes get tired and your energy drops. Take real breaks from screens. Not the "check your phone instead" kind. Real breaks.
4. The Project Pull
Even in a tough week, I finished my coaching landing page. Here's the thing about having a project you care about: it's like a magnet pulling you forward.
When everything else feels heavy, it's that one thing that makes you want to move. Not because you have to but because something inside you wants to see it come to life.
It's not about having more time. It's about having something that makes you want to make time.
The Reality Check
What works:
Cold showers (yes, even in winter)
Changing music based on what you need
Vitamin D supplementation
Having a project you care about
Taking real breaks from screens
Things that don't:
Hoping you'll magically feel better
Pushing through without breaks
Staying in the same energy state all day
Letting work consume all your headspace
Making Winter Work For You
Winter's different. You need different tactics. But instead of fighting it, use it. Less daylight outside? It's the perfect time to build something inside.
mad scientist era
The Real Lesson
It's easy to forget that we have power over how we feel. Sometimes, it takes a reggaeton dance break to remind us of this.
The goal isn't to be productive all the time. It's to be present, to enjoy moments with loved ones, and to remember how to have fun.
Next time everything feels heavy, try this: Put on music that makes you want to move. Not work music. Not focus music. The stuff that makes you forget about being productive.
What's your go-to move when your energy tanks? Hit reply. I'm always looking for new tactics to try.
Until next week,
Alex
PS: That landing page I mentioned? I'll tell you more about it soon.
