Anxiety & The Armor We Wear: Why You Feel So Tired, Even When Life Looks “Fine”
Hey friend,
You ever wake up and realize you’re exhausted — but can’t point to one big reason why?
It’s not burnout.
It’s not hormones.
And no, another weekend getaway won’t fix it.
It’s the exhaustion of holding everything together while quietly falling apart inside.
And the crazy part?
To everyone else, you still look “fine.”
Earlier this week, everything in my world looked calm — work handled, dogs behaving, house semi-clean.
But my body had a different story.
My shoulders were tight, my patience was paper-thin, and my jaw felt like I’d been chewing concrete.
That’s when it hit me: women like us don’t break down, we function.
We keep moving, keep managing, keep performing “fine.”
And that’s exactly where anxiety hides.
1️⃣ Anxiety Doesn't Always Feel Like Anxiety
It’s not always panic or racing thoughts.
Sometimes it’s:
jaw clenching for no reason
snapping over small stuff
tension that never quite leaves your neck
restlessness when you should feel calm
That’s your nervous system whispering, “Hey, I’m tired of running this show alone.”
It’s not weakness — it’s information.
2️⃣ When Strength Becomes Armor
If you grew up Gen X, you know the script:
“Walk it off.”
“Stop crying.”
“You’re fine.”
We learned early to perform stability instead of express struggle.
And that’s how “being strong” turns into armor.
Keeping it together? Armor.
Never letting anyone see you struggle? Armor.
Pretending you’re not overwhelmed when you absolutely are? 100% armor.
But armor was never meant to be permanent.
The longer you wear it, the heavier it gets — and the louder anxiety hums beneath it.
3️⃣ You Don't Have to Wait for Life to Calm Down to Find Peace
Here’s the good news: you don’t need silence or solitude to reset.
You just need small, honest moments of truth — little pattern interrupts that remind your body it’s safe.
Try these three simple shifts:
Pause the story. Ask, “What’s actually happening right now… and what story am I telling myself about it?”
Do a 30-second reset. Inhale slow, exhale slower, drop your shoulders, unclench your jaw.
Say a grounding prayer. “God, I need peace right now.”
Not fancy. Not perfect. Just real.
Those tiny pauses help your body unhook from the armor and remember what peace feels like.
✝️ A Gentle Faith Reminder
Anxiety isn’t a faith failure.
It’s a signal that you’ve been carrying too much alone.
God never asked you to fake strong.
He asked you to come as you are — tired, tense, caffeinated, and honest.
That’s where peace begins.
💌 If This Hit Home
My Unapologetically You Workbook walks you through breaking these patterns in real time — so you can stop performing “fine” and start actually feeling free again.
It’s just $1 right now — grab it here before I realize what it’s really worth.
Until next time, friend — breathe, tell the truth, and keep your coffee strong.
-Cheryl 💋
Cheryl Miller
@HeyCherylMiller
Certified Nutrition & Wellness Coach (CNC, CWC)
Helping women stop hiding, start healing, and live unapologetically — fueled by Christ, coffee, and confidence.
