There are times when nothing’s left. Energy gone. Patience spent. Bank account low. People flake. Plans stall. You’re dry—and worse, the ground around you is dry too. No backup. No surge coming. If something hits now, it breaks you.
Principle
In depletion, the goal isn’t progress. It’s pressure control. You hold the line. You stop the leak. You don’t fix the system—you stop it from breaking worse. You don’t bounce back. You stay upright.
Application
1. Cancel non-survival work
Cut anything not keeping you fed, housed, breathing, or minimally sane. No explanation. No apologies. Depletion isn’t a PR issue. It’s a containment problem.
2. Ration decisions
Make three choices a day, max. Not urgent? It waits. Decision fatigue is real, and in a dry state, every yes is a leak. Protect bandwidth like oxygen.
3. Move one inch only
Pick one lever. Pull it once. That’s the win. Could be sending one email. Doing one pushup. Paying one bill. Micro-movement keeps decay from locking in.
4. Anchor with one person
Not to vent. Not to brainstorm. Just to witness you holding. Text them once a day: “Still standing.” That’s enough. Accountability without obligation.
5. Nightfall shutdown
Set a hard stop. No reflection. No planning. No scrolling. Lights out means threat reduction. End the day before it turns on you.
Limit / Cost
This doesn’t build anything. It just keeps you from breaking. You won’t feel better. You won’t get clarity. That’s not the point. You’re stabilizing. You’re proving you can still draw a line—even if it’s just one.