Most people assume exhaustion comes from doing too much.
But often, it comes from leaving too much undone.
Not just big tasks. Not just work deadlines.
But the small, unfinished things that pile up in the background:
- The unread email that lingers in your inbox.
- The decision you keep putting off.
- The half-written message you never sent.
They don’t seem urgent. They don’t seem exhausting.
But they are.
Because every unfinished task is an open loop—and open loops drain energy.
How Open Loops Steal Your Energy
Your brain doesn’t forget unfinished tasks.
It holds onto them, reminding you over and over again.
- “Don’t forget to respond.”
- “You still need to call them back.”
- “You should really finish that thing…”
It’s like having too many apps running at once—your mental battery runs low, even when you’re not actively doing anything.
The result?
- More stress.
- Less focus.
- Constant background exhaustion.
And the more loops you leave open, the harder it gets to concentrate on the things that actually matter.
How to Close Loops and Get Your Energy Back
Instead of carrying mental clutter all day, take control:
1️⃣ Write it down. If it’s in your head, it’s using energy. Offload it onto paper or a task list.
2️⃣ Decide now. If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately. Don’t let it linger.
3️⃣ Batch unfinished tasks. Set a 15-minute window to clear small tasks at once—emails, messages, quick responses.
4️⃣ Let go of what doesn’t matter. Not every loop needs closing. Some need deleting.
5️⃣ End your day with a reset. Review what’s left, schedule it, and close the mental tabs before bed.
Mental Clarity is Energy
Some people carry open loops for days, weeks, even months—wondering why they always feel drained.
Others clear them quickly, protect their energy, and move forward with focus.
And the ones who do?
They don’t just feel better.
They work sharper, think clearer, and free up space for what really matters.
Because the mind isn’t meant to store unfinished tasks.
It’s meant to create, solve, and move forward.