Menopausal Exhaustion Is Real — And It’s Taking Over My Life
There’s tired… and then there’s this.
This is the kind of tired that doesn’t budge, even after a full night’s sleep. The kind that settles into your bones, wraps itself around your brain, and weighs down your chest like a wet blanket. It’s not just physical—it’s emotional, mental, hormonal.
It’s all of it, all at once.
Most nights, I’m in bed by 7:30—sometimes earlier. I used to feel guilty about that, now I just feel relieved to make it through the day. But even after hours of sleep, I wake up feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck. The kind of fatigue where opening your eyes feels like a chore, and dragging your body out of bed feels like climbing a mountain in concrete shoes.
And this exhaustion, it doesn’t just impact me, it touches every part of my life.
Work becomes a marathon.
Trying to build our business feels like a fantasy.
Even putting energy into this menopause website I love… feels too much at times.
As for my relationship – thank God for my wife’s patience. I’m not always present, not always myself.
I miss messages from friends. I think “I’ll message them back soon” and then suddenly the days slip by because I just….. can’t.
It’s like menopause flips a switch….. a full shutdown.
This isn’t laziness.
It’s not burnout.
It’s not something I can “push through” with a walk or a green smoothie or a positive affirmation.
It’s deep. It’s hormonal.
And it’s real.
But here’s what I’ve learned—through many tearful mornings, early bedtimes, and quiet breakdowns in the shower:
I’m not alone. And neither are you.
If you’re in this place too—dragging yourself through each day, wondering where your energy went, wondering if it’s ever coming back—I hear you.
And no, I don’t have the magic fix. But here’s what I am trying to do when the tiredness takes over.
Gentle Things That Help (a bit)
Slow mornings
Even just 10 quiet minutes sitting with a coffee, staring into space, gives me a fighting chance before the day hits me. Chaos can wait. My nervous system can’t.
Stretching
Yoga… Sometimes. If I can manage to get down on the mat without falling asleep mid-downward dog, I call that a win. And honestly, a long, lazy stretch in bed before I roll out? That counts. Don’t argue with me.
Tiny wins
My new motto…. ‘One thing a day.’ That’s it. Did I put on pants? Tick. Reply to one email? Tick. Remember what day it is? Tick-ish. Some days that’s my bar and I’m proud of it.
Connection, not pressure
Some days, social energy runs low. But I still care deeply. I might not have the energy for long chats, but I’ll send a silly meme, a heart, or a quick “thinking of you” because I am. It’s not about doing more—it’s about staying connected in the little moments, even when I’m running on fumes.
Letting go of guilt
Naps? Yes, I take them. Saying no? Yes, I do it. Productivity? Overrated. I’m tired, hormonal, and just trying to keep my brain in my head. Guilt isn’t welcome here.
Menopause fatigue is not weakness. It’s not a failure. It’s a season. And like all seasons—it will pass, even if it’s slow.
But in the meantime, we don’t have to push through it alone.
Talk about it. Write about it. Cry if you need to.
Tell your partner. Tell your best friend. Or tell me—because I’ll get it.
Let’s stop pretending we’re fine.
Let’s stop hiding the tiredness that’s running our lives.
Let’s start being real—so we can find ways to support each other through it.
If you’re in this place too, send me a message. I’d love to share your story (with permission). Maybe if we say it out loud, it won’t feel so heavy anymore.
Written by Shan, 46