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Hello there, English learners! Today's lesson is not just about language; it's about real life. Have you ever wondered why so many adults seem exhausted all the time? Why parents, your teachers, your neighbors always look like they are carrying the weight of the world?


In today's episode, we'll hear a touching and powerful conversation between a young boy and his father. The boy is curious; he wants to know why adults are always tired. And what happens next might surprise you. While you listen, focus on new vocabulary in context, real-life expressions you can use in your daily conversations, and the emotional flow of spoken English. Let's jump into it.


Liam: Dad, can I ask you something? I don't mean to bother you or anything, but I've been thinking about this a lot lately.
Dad: Sure, Liam. What is it? You can always talk to me.
Liam: Why are you always tired? Like really tired. Every day when you get home, you just look like you're done. You barely talk sometimes, do it quickly, and then just sit quietly or go to sleep early. And it's not only you—Mom looks tired, too. Uncle Steve, my teachers at school, even the people I see on the bus—they all look like they've had enough. Why is that? Why are adults so tired all the time?
Dad: Wow, that's a really good question. Not many people ask that. It's something even adults don't talk about. You're right. We are tired, and not just physically. A lot of adults walk around every day feeling emotionally worn out, even when they've slept enough. It's something that builds slowly, like pressure under the surface.
Liam: But I don't get it. Is it the job? I mean, I know you work hard, but is work that bad?
Dad: Work is part of it, sure, but it's more than that. There are so many responsibilities that come with being an adult. Paying bills, helping family, dealing with unexpected problems, planning for the future. It all adds up. And often we don't even get a break to think or breathe. Some days I feel like I'm just running on fumes. Like I'm going, going, going, but I have no energy left inside.
Liam: So, it's like pretending to have energy when you don't?
Dad: Exactly. You put on a smile. You keep moving. You say you're fine because you have to, but deep inside you feel like you're carrying a heavy load no one else can see. I try to stay positive, but there are days I feel like I'm in survival mode, just trying to make it through the day without falling apart.
Liam: That sounds hard. But is that just what being an adult is always?
Dad: Yes. But it shouldn't be. And it doesn't have to be all the time. But society teaches us to keep working, to stay busy, to always do more. Resting feels like a luxury sometimes. You know, I haven't taken a real vacation in 3 years. Every time we plan something, something else comes up. That's why so many people feel burned out. They are doing too much and getting too little back.
Liam: But don't adults do fun things too, like watch shows, go out, hang with friends?
Dad: Sure, but even those things start to feel like chores when you're tired. And a lot of adults forget what makes them happy. They lose connection to what brings them joy. Sometimes they become disconnected from joy, and that's when life starts to feel empty, even if everything looks okay on the outside.
Liam: So adults are sad?
Dad: Not always. We're not always sad, Liam. Many of us are just overwhelmed. There's this constant mental list in our heads: What needs to be done? What hasn't been finished? What could go wrong? We carry it all day. Even at night, it's exhausting. And the truth is, no one really teaches you how to handle that when you grow up. You just figure it out or try to.
Liam: That doesn't sound like what I thought could be like.
Dad: It's different from what kids imagine. That's true. But there's beauty in it, too. Even in the tiredness, there's love. You wake up early because you love your family. You work hard because you care about your future. And even if you are exhausted, there's something beautiful about being someone others can count on. It's just that sometimes the weight becomes too much. Especially when people don't ask for help, and that's when fatigue turns into frustration.


Liam: So what helps? How do you deal with it?
Dad: Talking like this helps. Being seen, being heard, resting without guilt, doing small things that bring peace. For me, it's our conversations, or watching a movie with your mom, or going for a walk at night. I also write sometimes when I can't sleep, just putting thoughts down and also knowing I'm not alone. I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Liam: I never knew. I just thought grown-ups were like robots.
Dad: No, we're just kids who grew up and now have to pretend we've got it all figured out. But we don't. And that's okay. You know what really helps? When someone understands, when someone like you asks questions instead of just ignoring the signs. That kind of thing gives me a second wind. It reminds me that I'm not just working to survive. I'm living for the people I love.
Liam: You mean me?
Dad: Especially you.
Liam: When I grow up, I want to remember this. I don't want to be tired all the time. I want to find balance.
Dad: I guess then that's already a step ahead of where most of us started. If you know that now, you can build a life where you don't just function, you can thrive, and maybe just maybe be a little less tired.
Liam: Thanks, Dad. I think I understand a little better now.
Dad: Anytime, son. And hey, if you ever see me looking tired, don't be afraid to give me a hug or remind me to rest. Sometimes that's all we really need.