Why Some Days Feel Like Walking Through Wet Cement

And What to Do When You're Just Too Tired to Push Through

Have you ever had one of those days where everything just feels… heavy?

You’re not in a crisis. Nothing “big” has happened. But your brain is foggy. Your motivation is missing. And the smallest task—answering an email, folding the laundry, even brushing your hair—feels like walking through wet cement.

You’re trying to move forward, but every step feels slow, unclear, and hard to explain.

You think, What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just snap out of this?

Let me say this clearly:

There is nothing wrong with you.

These kinds of days are more common than you think—especially for women in midlife navigating transition, loss, uncertainty, or simply years of giving to others before checking in on themselves.

Let’s talk about those days.

The "Wet Cement" Feeling: What’s Really Going On?

We usually associate resilience with bouncing back from major setbacks. Illness. Loss. Divorce. Trauma.

But everyday resilience? That shows up in the quiet moments. The hard mornings. The hours where nothing feels urgent but everything feels off.

That “walking through wet cement” feeling is your body and brain saying:

• I’m carrying too much.

• I haven’t had time to breathe.

• I’m tired in ways that rest alone can’t fix.

It’s not always dramatic. But it is real.

Why You Feel Heavy Even When Life Looks Fine

Sometimes our emotional load doesn’t match what’s happening on the outside.

You might be thinking:

• “My kids are doing okay. Why do I feel this way?”

• “I have a roof over my head—I should be grateful.”

• “This isn't a crisis. I just need to get it together.”

But here’s what I discovered through my own experience:

Your nervous system doesn’t sort your struggles into “big” and “small.”
It responds to chronic stress, unresolved grief, unmet needs, and inner criticism—all of which build up slowly and silently. 

The Invisible Weight Midlife Women Carry

Let’s name a few of the invisible things that could be contributing to your heaviness:

• Caregiver fatigue. Whether you’re raising grandkids, checking in on aging parents, or supporting a loved one through health issues, the emotional weight adds up.

• Decision overload. Even choosing what to cook can feel like too much when your brain is already maxed out.

• Emotional residue. Unprocessed grief, regret, or transitions from earlier years can linger—even if you thought you’d “moved on.”

• Hormonal shifts. Let’s not ignore how perimenopause, menopause, and hormonal changes can impact energy, clarity, and mood.

• Feeling unseen. Many women at this stage of life feel invisible or underappreciated. That kind of loneliness is exhausting.

So yes. You feel like you’re moving through wet cement. Because you are.
Your load may be quiet, but it’s real.

And here’s what I want you to know:

Resilience Doesn’t Always Look Strong

On days like this, you’re tempted to force your way through.
Push harder. Smile wider. Get it all done.

But real resilience isn’t about pretending.

Sometimes it’s about:

• Pausing instead of pushing.

• Noticing what’s weighing you down.

• Choosing the next kind step forward—even if it’s small.

You’re not lazy. You’re carrying too much.
And no one sees the invisible bricks you lift each day.

What You Can Do When the Day Feels Heavy

You don’t need to do everything today.
But doing something—with grace—can help you feel a bit lighter.

These are not productivity hacks.
They’re small, doable ways to shift the weight just enough to breathe again.

1. Make a “Good Enough” List (Just 3 Things)

Not a master plan.
Not a 23-point to-do list.

Just three simple things that are “good enough” for today.

Maybe:

• Feed yourself something nourishing.

• Take a walk around the block.

• Put the clean clothes in a laundry basket (not folded—just moved).

Check them off. Count that as success. Because it is.

Why it works: It gives your overwhelmed brain a finish line. It resets expectations and reminds you that something done--no matter how small--is always better than nothing achieved.

2. Move—Even Just a Little

You don’t need to go to the gym.
Just change your posture, stretch your arms, breathe a little deeper.

Simple movements that help:

• Stand and reach both arms overhead. Then drop them slowly.

• Shake out your hands and legs. Literally—shake it off.

• Walk to the mailbox and back.

• Play music and sway in the kitchen while you prepare a meal.

Think of it as wiggling your way out of the cement.

One small step at a time.

3. Reach for One Encouraging Voice

On heavy days, isolation makes it worse.
You don’t need a crowd—just one soft place to land.

Try:

• Calling a trusted friend who gets you.

• Listening to a podcast that uplifts you.

• Whispering a favorite prayer.

• Re-reading an encouraging note someone once wrote you.

Let someone else’s words infuse strength into your day.

A Story From My Life: A Day I Couldn’t Push Through

Years ago, not long after the loss of my son and my heart transplant, I had a day where the fog was thick. I was alive—but not quite living. I remember staring at my coffee cup, trying to talk myself into getting out to run an errand I kept putting off. Not for anything important. I realized I was becoming a hermit if I didn't make myself get out and "people."

I couldn’t do it.

And that scared me.

But instead of shaming myself, I chose one thing: I opened my patio door. I sat in the sunlight for five minutes. That was it.

That small act didn’t fix everything.
But it softened something inside me.

It reminded me I was still here. Still breathing. Still allowed to move slow.

You are too.

What Women Say About the “Wet Cement” Feeling

I asked a few women in my community what their wet cement days felt like. Here’s what they said:

🙁 “It’s like I’m moving underwater and everyone else is moving at normal speed."

🙁 “I stare at the dirty dishes in the sink like it’s a mountain.”
🙁 “I feel like a phone on 1% battery. Everyone still expects me to work.”
🙁 “I’m not depressed. I’m just tired. Deep soul tired.”

Maybe you’ve felt this too.

You are not alone. And you don’t have to stay stuck.

Journaling Prompt: What’s Weighing Me Down Today?

Take 5 minutes and write (no editing, no overthinking). Try this sentence starter:

“Today I feel heavy because…”

Let yourself write what comes up. Then ask:

• Is this mine to carry?

• What can I put down—even for today?

• What’s one thing I can do with self-care?

Writing it out clears a path forward.

A Reminder for the Days That Don’t Make Sense

Not all exhaustion is logical.
Not all weight can be seen.

But your heaviness is valid. Your struggle is real. And giving yourself grace matters.

Please don’t wait for a full comeback before you count your progress.

Getting out of bed?
Making a sandwich?
Saying “no” to something you can’t handle?

That’s resilience.

Put It In Action

Here are three simple questions to help shift your next hard day:

1. What’s one thing I can let go of today?

2. What’s one thing I can ask for help with?

3. What’s one thing I can do to feel a little more like myself?

You don’t have to fix your whole life in a day.
Just ease up on the weight. Lighten the load.
Take one small step out of the cement.

That’s more than enough. 

You’re Still Moving

Even if it feels like you’re trudging through wet cement, you’re still moving forward.
And that matters.

You are not behind.
You are not broken.
You are doing the quiet, courageous work of resilience.

And one day soon, that heaviness will lift—because you kept going.

I see you.

You’re not walking alone. You can do this!

Want More Encouragement?

If this spoke to your heart, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s talk about what’s weighing you down—and how to rise gently from it. Contact me on my website or click below to schedule a call with me.
Schedule a free 15-min Clarity Call with me