Tired of Being Tired? The Truth About Perimenopause and Exhaustion By Dr. Cheryl Koelling, DC, M.Ed, Founder of Strong & Steady Her™

Tired of Being Tired? The Truth About Perimenopause and Exhaustion

By Dr. Cheryl Koelling, DC, M.Ed, Founder of Strong & Steady Her™

You’re not lazy. You’re not unmotivated. You’re not “just getting older.”

You’re tired — bone-deep, soul-weary, brain-foggy tired — and there’s a reason.

If you're in your 30s, 40s, or early 50s and wondering why you’re dragging through the day no matter how much sleep you get, welcome to the world of perimenopause exhaustion. And no, you’re not imagining it. This isn’t about your willpower — it’s about your hormones.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on, why your energy feels like it’s running on fumes, and how to reclaim your spark without guilt or guesswork.

1. Your Hormones Are Rewriting the Script — And Energy Is on the Line

Perimenopause isn’t a single moment. It’s a slow, shifting hormonal symphony — and sometimes, it’s completely off-key.

Estrogen and progesterone (your two besties for energy, mood, and metabolism) start to fluctuate — not just dropping, but rising and crashing unpredictably. Add in elevated cortisol from stress, blood sugar swings, and wonky sleep? Boom: Exhaustion.

You're not broken. You're recalibrating.

This isn’t about being out of shape. It’s about your biology being in transition. And that transition? It takes energy. A lot of it.

2. Exhaustion Isn’t Just Physical — It’s Emotional, Too

Fatigue and shame love to hold hands. You’re tired… and then you feel guilty about being tired. You push through, skip rest, and try to out-hustle your hormones. But all that does is dig the energy hole deeper.

“Why can’t I get it together?”
“I used to be able to do this all.”
“I must just be lazy.”

No. You’re human. And you’re going through something massive. Perimenopause doesn’t just zap your physical energy — it drains your emotional reserves. Mood swings, anxiety spikes, feeling invisible or misunderstood — that is exhausting, too.

Give yourself grace. And then give yourself rest.

3. Rest is Not a Luxury — It’s a Strategy

This is the time to stop glorifying the hustle. You need to redefine productivity and stop using your energy as proof of your worth.

Some simple, science-backed shifts:

• Prioritize protein + fat in the morning to stabilize blood sugar and energy.

• Ditch the energy roller coaster (hello caffeine/sugar crash cycle).

• Move your body — gently but daily. Walking, resistance bands, breathwork. It all counts.

• Say no to what doesn’t align. Seriously. Protect your energy like it’s your retirement fund.

• Go to bed earlier. Even if you don’t fall asleep right away, the rest is still valuable.

4. You’re Not Weak — You’re in a Power Shift

This isn’t the beginning of the end. It’s the beginning of your reinvention.

Yes, perimenopause exhaustion is real. But so is your strength. And when you start honoring your body’s signals instead of ignoring them, you build a foundation that’s stronger than the energy you once faked your way through.

Your body isn’t here to make you suffer — it’s here to teach you. You’re not tired because you’re weak. You’re tired because your body is working overtime on your behalf.

Let it. And support it.

Final Word: You Don’t Need to Push Through — You Need to Tune In

This season of life is calling you to slow down, not give up. To recalibrate, not retreat. To finally, finally listen to your body instead of overriding it with caffeine and perfectionism.

So if you're tired — really tired — don’t ignore it. Don’t shame it. Name it. Own it. And start giving your body the same grace and support you'd give your best friend.

You're not broken. You're becoming.

Need Support Navigating the Fatigue, the Fog, and the Hormonal Freefall?

Join the Strong & Steady Her™ movement — a science-based, soul-powered membership designed for women navigating perimenopause and menopause. You’ll get weekly bone-strengthening workouts, anti-inflammatory recipes, hormone education, mindset coaching, and most importantly: a community that gets it.

Because this isn’t just about surviving perimenopause — it’s about thriving through it.

✨ Click here to learn more & join now.