I’ve experienced a condition that I would like to label as “dream fatigue.” This occurs in the process of turning an idea into reality. The idea starts as a concept or a vision in the mind, and a significant amount of mental and personal energy must be exerted in order to turn it into reality. The longer the idea stays in one place, or if it stagnates for some reason, it requires even more energy to maintain and keep it moving forward.

There have been a number of times over the past two years that fatigue of the bread&cup dream has set in. Now that I have a term for it, I know how to combat it. Just like muscle fatigue, dream fatigue requires rest in order to stay focused.

Years ago, when I was much younger and living in California, a group of us in graduate school got the bright idea to run a marathon. We had five month to train. Like a lemming, I followed along and said I was in. Over the next several weeks, one by one, each guy dropped out of training, citing a variety of legitmate reasons, mostly. I was last to join, now last to stay in.

I trained long and hard and found myself in the best shape of my life. Race day came, and around mile marker 8, I developed a nagging pain in my right foot. It slowly got worse and worse, to the point of needing to stop, walk, and occasionally stretch it out. I finally finished, but not as I had hoped. My fatigue was most likely due to a lack of good rest.

I find dream fatigue is no different. Now when I get mentally weary, I remind myself that this shall pass. Find a diversion, something to replenish the soul, and take another step tomorrow.