Is It Perimenopause… Or Am I Just Exhausted? By Kim Lorello | Rekindle With Kim

Ever find yourself wondering:

“Am I getting sick?”

“Did I just sleep terribly?”

“Or is this… something else?”

You’re not alone.

That sluggish, foggy, off-feeling that creeps in mid-morning—or hits like a brick wall at 3pm—can be hard to pin down. One day it feels like you’re fighting a cold. The next, like your brain just forgot how to work. It’s frustrating. Confusing. Sometimes even scary.

So, what is it?

Honestly? It could be perimenopause.

It could be stress.

It could be poor sleep.

Or all of the above.

And here’s the truth:

You don’t need a perfect diagnosis to start feeling better.

Yesterday Was One of Those Days for Me

I just didn’t feel right.

Achy. Tired. A little irritable.

My head felt foggy, and my body felt like it had been hit by a truck.

Of course, my first thought was:

“Perimenopause strikes again.”

But then I paused.

I hadn’t slept well the night before.

I’d just started a brand-new strength routine at the gym.

And—oh yeah—my son is sick. Could he have shared it with me?

So… what was it?

Truthfully, it could’ve been any of those things—or all of them together.

And that’s when it hit me:

I don’t need to know exactly what’s causing it.

I just need to listen to what my body is asking for.

You Don’t Wait to Care for Yourself When You’re Sick… So Why Wait Now?

Think about it—when you come down with a cold or the flu, what do you do?

You rest.

You hydrate.

You cancel plans.

You take care of yourself.

But when it’s hormonal?

When the fatigue is from fluctuating estrogen, or disrupted sleep, or rising cortisol?

We shrug and say,

“I guess this is just what being a woman is like.”

That needs to stop.

Perimenopause Symptoms Aren’t Just “Part of the Deal”

Here’s what no one told us growing up:

That feeling awful for days on end isn’t something you’re supposed to just deal with.

Yes, hormonal shifts are normal in midlife—but suffering is not.

If you’re experiencing:

• Chronic fatigue

• Brain fog or forgetfulness

• Mood swings or irritability

• Poor sleep or night sweats

• Low motivation or “flat” energy

…it’s not a character flaw or a failing.

It’s a signal—your body asking for care and support.

Whether It’s Hormonal or Not—The Solution Starts the Same Way

Even if you’re unsure what’s going on, the first step is the same:

Treat yourself like someone worth taking care of.

Because you are.

That means:

• Prioritizing sleep (even if it’s imperfect)

• Eating in a way that stabilizes energy and blood sugar

• Moving your body with kindness and intention

• Saying “no” when your plate is full

• Getting support—from a coach, a friend, or a practitioner who gets it

You Deserve Support—Not Dismissal

Whether it’s perimenopause or poor sleep, your symptoms are real.

And they are worthy of attention.

This chapter of life isn’t about pushing through or powering over.

It’s about tuning in.

So the next time you feel off, don’t wait for things to get “bad enough.”

Start small. Start now.

Start with the simple idea that you matter—and so does your well-being.

💬 Let’s Talk

Have you been feeling “off” lately and unsure why?

Drop a comment or send me a message—let’s unpack it together.