If you're having experience with tight strings... maybe you should try a smaller string gauge... Also, how high is your action? If your action is set too high for you "enjoyment" it will make the strings seem harder to press down than what they should be. I've personally never had this problem but something doesn't sound right. Normally if a guitar is hard to play in standard it won't be much easier to play a half step down... So it must be a minor issue having to deal with a heavy string guage or just high action.

What kind of guitar is it?

What guage/type of strings do you use?

How often have you tried to adjust the truss rod?