The Energy Overdraft: Why Rest Isn’t Lazy for ADHDers — It’s Non-Negotiable

It’s the weekend. For some, that means brunch plans or catching up on errands. But for many of us—especially those with ADHD—it’s a time to hit pause and recharge after a week of running on fumes. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been operating on borrowed energy, you might be dipping into what I call the Energy Overdraft.

What Is the Energy Overdraft?

Think about a financial overdraft. You spend more than you have, and while it keeps you going in the short term, that money needs to be repaid—with interest. Now replace money with energy. When you push past your limits, you’re borrowing from tomorrow’s energy reserves. You can keep going for a while, but eventually, your body and brain send the bill.

This is the Energy Overdraft.
It’s invisible, but it’s very real.

How It Shows Up

For neurotypical people, a little overexertion might lead to needing a nap or an early night. But for ADHDers and neurodivergent folks, the consequences are often more intense—and more unpredictable. You might feel:

- Completely wiped out for days

- Unable to focus no matter how hard you try

- Emotionally reactive or withdrawn

- Prone to forgetting even simple tasks

- Overwhelmed by the tiniest decisions

Sound familiar? That’s burnout. And it’s often the result of dipping into your Energy Overdraft too many times without making a repayment.

What Counts as Repayment?

Rest. Real rest.
Not zoning out on your phone while mentally flogging yourself for being unproductive. Not napping because you're too exhausted to move. We're talking about intentional, restorative downtime that allows your nervous system to reset.

That could look like:

- Sleeping in without guilt

- Saying “no” without over-explaining

- Doing something joyful and low-stakes

- Logging off social media for a while

- Letting yourself do nothing

Rest Isn’t a Reward—It’s a Requirement

Here’s the truth that capitalism and hustle culture don’t want you to internalise: rest is not earned. You don’t need to hit a productivity quota to deserve downtime. For ADHDers, especially, rest is a non-negotiable. Without it, your executive function tanks, your mental health takes a hit, and the burnout loop begins again.

Recharging on the weekend—or any day—isn’t laziness. It’s how we prevent collapse.

Final Thought: Balance the Budget

Managing your energy is just as real—and just as crucial—as managing your money. The Energy Overdraft is always lurking, but awareness is the first step toward changing the pattern. If you can start identifying when you're borrowing energy and start planning for rest as a form of repayment, you're already making progress.

So, this weekend, do yourself a favour: log out, lie down, and recharge without shame. Your future self will thank you.

You've Got This! Heidi xo