To ask if this is normal levels of tired

[Yourcatisnotsorry]

Ainbu = this is normal
Aibu = not normal

I am basically a zombie after 8pm, I can’t really do anything other than watch tv or play games on my phone. Even reading is too tiring. I sleep 11-7, work 9-5 and have 2 small children (who thankfully sleep 8-8). I go to the gym 4 days a week and am generally fit and healthy otherwise. I have busy weekends with the kids but I’d love to have the energy ti do some chores or crafts or read on an evening. Is this normal or is there something wrong with me?

When do you sit and relax? Surely this is the point - the OP is doing this every night between 8 and 11pm. But she's asking if it's normal to need that time.

I used to get very drowsy in the evenings, falling asleep in front of TV. Also thirsty too often. I cut down on sugars and stopped piling carbs on my evening meal. It really helped.

Totally normal: you’re working full time, parenting small children, and going to the gym regularly. You have to have some time to just… zonk.

Some of it can be habit, though. Try putting Forest app on your phone or plugging it in to charge in a different room: I think if you automatically pick up your phone and start scrolling, a couple of hours can easily pass while you feel like a zombie. Forcing yourself to read or potter or do something else low-key (bath and a book, sewing, watercolour, whatever your thing is) takes a few days to “take” as a habit but does reset the “zonk out with phone, this is all I can do” feeling.

Also one or two early nights a week with a book and charge your phone elsewhere.