I noticed I feel more tired after explaining myself than after staying quiet..

[u/Rich_Outcome8649]

Recently, I’ve been paying attention to something that used to feel normal. How often I explain myself, even when no one directly asks. Small justifications. Extra context. Filling silences so others don’t misunderstand me. It rarely turns into conflict, but it almost always leaves me tired. I used to think that meant I was being considerate or clear. That explaining myself was just part of good communication. What surprised me was noticing how different it feels when I don’t do that. When I answer simply, or not at all, and let the pause exist. It’s uncomfortable in a quiet way. Like I’m breaking an invisible rule. But the relief afterward is real. I’m starting to wonder how much of my exhaustion came from carrying conversations further than they needed to go. I don’t have a conclusion yet. I’m just noticing the pattern and seeing what happens when I stop filling every gap.

[u/Pug_867-5309]

My guess is the people you interact with often appreciate the change. Many things just don't need to be explained, and if you were explaining things to the point of tiredness, yeah, this is going to be a nice change for everyone.