There’s the kind that makes your legs ache, your eyes droop, and your body scream for a bed. But for me, the exhaustion that hits the hardest is the kind that settles in my mind.
When I’m truly tired, I lose the thread of my own thoughts. I walk into a room and have no idea why I’m there. I stare at my calendar like it’s written in code. I’ll be mid-sentence and suddenly—poof—gone. I’ve got no idea what I was saying or why I started saying it in the first place.
It’s not just forgetfulness. It’s like someone unplugged my brain and forgot to turn it back on.
This kind of tired showed up early. I remember falling asleep in school during film strips—the moment the lights went out, so did I. I was still involved in everything—after-school activities and dance—but during the day? If I slowed down for even a minute, my body would try to shut off.
As a mom, the exhaustion became constant. I’d work a full day, make dinner, give baths, read bedtime stories—and then fall asleep right there, mid-snuggle. The plan was always to get back up and clean the kitchen, maybe fold a load of laundry. But most nights, I never made it back downstairs.
Even now, I need a full eight hours of sleep to function—and that’s the bare minimum. If I don’t set an alarm, I’ve been known to sleep until the afternoon. And even with a good night’s sleep, I could still take a nap if someone let’s me sit down and close my eyes.
But here’s the hard part: people don’t understand it.
In a world that glorifies hustle and “running on empty,” needing sleep is treated like a weakness. Like I’m lazy or unmotivated. And the people who can thrive on five or six hours? They seem to get more done, climb more ladders, check more boxes. It’s hard not to compare. It’s hard not to feel like I’m always two steps behind.
I’ve come to understand that this is just how I’m wired. There’s no fighting it, no pushing through without consequences. I can’t out-discipline my brain. I can’t out-stubborn my body. The only thing I can do is listen—to the signals, the shutdowns, the quiet pleas for rest. Because when I don’t, everything else starts to unravel.
So maybe I don’t burn the candle at both ends. Maybe I don’t run circles around my to-do list. But I’m still here. I’m still showing up.
Just sometimes, I do it after a nap.
Click here to check out other Sidetracked opinions
Click here to listen to the Sidetracked Legacies podcast
Want to create your own legacy? Join the Sidetracked Sisters and start now!
Ever thought about working with a Life Coach? Are you a woman over 50 who feels unfulfilled in your long-term relationship? Lisa can help you rekindle love and joy, and avoid a “gray divorce.” Check out Lisa Hoffman Coaching.
#sidetrackedsisters #sidetrackedchelle #sidetrackedlegacies #ExhaustedMom #ChronicFatigue #MentalExhaustion #MidlifeStories #TiredAllTheTime #SleepIsNotLazy #ListenToYourBody #LegacyWriting #ExcessiveDaytimeSleepiness
