People illustrations by Storyset

I just got back from a long trip around Nigeria (sort of). I traveled from the West to the East, then the South and back to the West. I have still not gone to Northern Nigeria, but I don’t see it as a trip that is beyond me, considering I have family there.

It was very exhausting making my way through all these locations. All the way, I made sure I did not miss a day of writing my thoughts and doing a little research on behavioral science and psychology (my favorite topics). I also did my best to watch study materials for my exams while handling so many things that would come up during the day.

Additionally, I was able to work out every day, tried to get my protein in check (failed some days), and I wanted to do practice questions for the exam I want to apply for.

All in all, I was able to stay consistent with my workout, even though I could not make it 30 minutes every day. I am sure I outdid the recommended minutes per week every week during this trip. I was also able to stay fit at different gyms 3 days a week.

If you follow up with my blog, you know that I am very big on all things discipline and decision-making, but it was difficult for me to maintain the level of discipline I wanted around so many issues that it was somewhat ridiculous that I am the one who writes these blog posts.

I broke some personal standards during this time that I wanted to keep for myself. I broke past my budget on the first few days of the trip and began to struggle with my finances. I “wanted” to do study questions (which are the most important part of studying), but I was not able to, and yet I write these blog posts.

Where do I draw the line on this type of behavior? How do I handle myself in situations like this? Am I supposed to be hard on myself or be understanding?

---

Ego Depletion

---

People illustrations by Storyset

This was a new concept to me during my travels, but it was something I had been aware of for some time. I had been pushing myself to do a lot lately, and more so in the past. I only got to know the name of this phenomenon a few days ago, but it is something I had struggled with when I started blogging and vlogging daily.

I would be too exhausted to do anything new, not because I was actually physically exhausted, but because I was psychologically exhausted. I was tired of convincing myself (and succeeding) to do things I really did not want to do.

Having a name for it made it easier to forgive myself, but the sensation itself is defeatist. The whole idea around ego depletion is that willpower is not unlimited and can be used up. This is a debatable phenomenon, but judging from the fact that we all (I think) experience it in some way, I am willing to say that it exists.

It is real; however, I am not certain of its magnitude in people's lives as it relates to certain activities when compared to others.

---

Evidence?

---

People illustrations by Storyset

There are studies that have tried to convince the world of the existence of this state. One of which was performed by an American social psychologist, Roy Baumeister, where he tried to show that self-control was like a muscle and it could be worked out of its strength.

In his experiment, he found that in two situations, there could be reduced willpower. In the first situation, a subject is offered chocolate and made to resist the temptation of eating it, and then made to finish a puzzle afterward. In the second situation, they are made to write a speech and perform it on a topic they absolutely disagree with. They will experience similar findings to those seen when they had to resist the urge to eat the chocolate.

Other experiments have found similar results when there was low blood sugar and eating sweet-tasting food was able to get people into a reversed state with depleted self-control.

---

prevention?

---

There are several ways that you should be aware of that can help you deal with ego depletion. One of which is having an improved mood. Some find comic content has been found to be helpful.

The way you view yourself has to change too. You have to see yourself as someone who constantly has the energy to handle what is brought before you. You can also change the way you view the task at hand and see it as part of a bigger mission.

Figuring out yourself and what your values are is also important so that you don’t end up going against your core beliefs, leading to more exhaustion.

Finding time to sleep should always be important. I always advise people to get 6 to 8 hours of comfortable sleep. It will help you recover from the day’s work.

---

What do you think about all this?

---

---

Conclusion

---

Inkscape.org

In conclusion, ego depletion is a phenomenon that affects many individuals, especially those who push themselves too hard to achieve their goals. While it may be debatable, there is evidence to suggest that willpower is not unlimited and can be depleted after making multiple decisions or resisting temptation.

The good news is that there are ways to prevent and cope with ego depletion. Improving your mood, changing the way you view yourself and the task at hand, and aligning your actions with your core beliefs are all helpful strategies. Additionally, getting enough quality sleep is crucial to recovering from the day's work and preventing ego depletion.

It is important to recognize that nobody is immune to ego depletion, and it's okay to take breaks and rest when needed. Being too hard on oneself only contributes to the problem, and understanding the phenomenon can help individuals forgive themselves for breaking personal standards or struggling to maintain discipline.

Overall, learning about ego depletion can be a valuable tool in promoting self-awareness and better self-care practices. It's important to prioritize our physical and mental health, and by doing so, we can continue to pursue our goals with the energy and focus they require.

Inkscape.org

---

Reference

---

• Ego depletion
• Too fatigued to care: Ego depletion, guilt, and prosocial behavior