When Hope Feels Tired

At the start of a new year, many people feel pressure to be hopeful—while quietly carrying exhaustion, disappointment, or fear that old patterns will repeat. This meditation creates space for that honesty. You’ll be guided to gently acknowledge tired hope without judgment, allowing your nervous system to rest and reset before any forward movement is required.

Transcript

Hi,

I'm Theresa,

Welcome,

I'm really glad you're here.

Before we begin,

Take a slow breath and let your body arrive where you are.

There's nothing to fix in this moment.

Just let yourself be here and we'll begin together.

Today,

We're making space for something that often goes unspoken.

The exhaustion that can live underneath hope.

At the start of a new year,

There's often pressure to feel optimistic.

To believe this time will be different.

To summon hope even when the body feels tired of hoping.

So let's begin by telling the truth.

Take a slow breath in and let it out gently.

If hope feels heavy right now,

That doesn't mean you're cynical or broken.

It means you've lived through enough to know that change takes more than intention.

Place a hand on your chest or belly,

And feel the weight of your body being supported beneath you.

You don't have to believe anything today.

You don't have to envision a better future.

You don't have to convince yourself that things will improve.

All that's asked of you here is honesty.

Notice what it's like to let go of forcing hope,

Even just for this moment.

Sometimes,

Hope needs to rest before it can return in a truer form.

Take another slow breath and allow yourself to be exactly as you are.

And as you come back,

Notice how your body feels now.

If you'd like to continue,

You're welcome to explore my other meditations here.

And move gently.

Thank you for sharing this time with me.

And as you return to your day,

Remember,

As always,

You are loved.

You are whole.

You are enough.