Why Do I Always Need So Much Rest?

The Question That Followed Me for Years My Whole Life

Why do I always need to rest? Why don't I wake up with a full tank of gas like everybody else? Human Design was the first system that gave me real answers to these questions.

As far back as I can remember, I couldn't keep pace with the other kids at school. At the end of the day, I was wiped out while the other kids were onto their next after-school activity. Fast forward to 2018; at the age of 33, I hit rock bottom, fed up with feeling so depleted and committed to getting answers on how to live with more vitality. After seeking medical help, I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue. This diagnosis came as no surprise and was a relief because I now had a direction to focus on healing. I embarked on my healing journey with openness and curiosity. I experimented with diet, supplements, exercise, acupuncture, meditation, and qigong, to name a few. After two dedicated years of healing, my adrenals were back to functioning correctly; however, my energy still wasn't consistent, and I required a lot of rest to function normally. At this point, it didn't make sense to me: I was healthy on paper, but my energy levels from one day to the next were inconsistent. My quest for answers continued until I stumbled upon Human Design.

Discovering My Energy Type

One of the foundational concepts in Human Design is your energy "type." Your type speaks to your aura, energetic expression, and magnetism - the way you are designed to interact with the world. You'll move through the world with ease and flow if you follow the intended design of your type. If you don't follow your type, you'll experience the opposite: fatigue, loss of vitality, and burnout because you're essentially going against the grain of your natural energy.

There are five different energy types: Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, Manifestor, and Reflector. One of the main differentiating points of the energy types is whether there is a defined Sacral center (see diagram). The Sacral center is the source of life force energy. It is a powerful center that is used to build, create, and do in this world. Projectors and Reflectors do not have consistent access to Sacral energy and are considered non-energy types. I'm a Projector.

Finally, Something That Made Sense

I'll never forget the electricity I felt running through my body when I discovered I was a non-energy type. I thought, "Yes, that's me! Finally, a system that explains exactly how I feel!"

Generators and Manifesting Generators and have defined Sacral centers and are considered energy types. These types have the potential to wake up every morning with a full tank of gas, ready to spend it on the day's activities, and generate even more energy when they are doing what they love. Generators make up approximately 70% of the population.

My "aha" moment came when I realized I was living like a Generator! If I continued to live like this, I would never stop my burnout cycle. Knowing this was one thing; changing my beliefs and behaviors was another. Like many, I was influenced by the culture I grew up in. I thought there was something wrong with me for the amount of rest I needed and that I just had to find the right health hack to generate energy like everyone else. Human Design has helped me see that I will never have the energy of a Generator and that trying to chase that lifestyle was deeply unhealthy because I was not designed to live that way.

Letting Go of the Pressure to Keep Up

I noticed a significant change in my life when I started to focus on the strengths of my Human Design type. As a Projector, one of my gifts is that I have a deep understanding of others, which allows me to guide them toward their full potential. Even though Projectors don't have a lot of energy themselves, we are experts at recognizing it in others. We make great leaders and guides because we can intuitively identify how others can maximize their energy.

This understanding has helped me accept my unique needs and release any pressure to keep up with the world. I prioritize my self-care by sleeping 10 hours a night and napping on weekends, going for quiet walks in nature with my dog, and practicing grounding techniques. I am also very selective about how I engage with the world, waiting for the correct invitation before I use my energy.

Learning to Trust My Energy

Through this journey, I have released my fear of missing out and aligned my thinking, dreaming, and actions in ways that leverage my energy type. The biggest lesson I learned is to trust that my energy comes in spurts and will always return, appearing just as mysteriously as it vanished.

There’s Nothing Wrong with Needing Rest

I share my quest for answers in the hope that it provides validation and insight for you. Each of the five Human Design types has its unique gifts and limitations. For example, Generators can generate energy continuously, but if they are not aligned with tasks that suit them, they can also experience burnout.

If you want to understand your energy type better, shed limiting beliefs, and come into more supportive alignment in your life, I recommend booking an individual session where I incorporate your Human Design blueprint into the reading. There is tremendous power in having this knowledge about yourself, and I would be happy to guide you through the process.

Amber 🩵