If your thinking feels slower than usual, your memory slips more often, or it’s harder to focus on simple tasks, you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is assuming you just need more caffeine or stronger motivation.

If your brain feels foggy, slow, or overwhelmed—even when you haven’t done anything “that hard”—you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is being told to focus harder, push through, or just get more motivated.