Realizing I’m in Perimenopause-The Hard Part

I think the hardest part about realizing I’m in perimenopause was realizing that I am aging.

Women in Western society are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we’re supposed to stay perky, flawless, and wrinkle-free forever. And honestly, if we stop and think about it, that whole idea is pretty misogynistic. Somewhere along the way, natural aging and hormonal shifts became things to hide instead of stages to understand and embrace.

The part that really got me, though, was realizing that soon, I may never be able to have children again. That hit me hard, and I don’t even know why because I don’t want any more kids! 😂

That’s how I know the mood swings are real. I legit cried about not being able to have more kids while mentally being 100% sure that five is plenty (3 biological children and 2 stepchildren). I’ve contributed to humanity, and I’m good!

But losing control of my body has been another tough one. For the longest time, I knew exactly what to eat, how to work out, and what kind of cardio gave me the results I wanted. And suddenly, none of it worked anymore. That was scary, especially when you’re used to knowing your body so well.

Now I’m at a place where I have to relearn myself. I have to relearn my hormones, my metabolism, my energy, my mood. It’s like starting over in a body I’ve known my whole life but with new rules no one warned me about. It’s exhausting and empowering at the same time.

I try to see it as a new challenge. I think back to my bodybuilding phase when I first learned how to meal prep, balance macros, and fuel my body. I actually like learning how about food and fitness impacts is all, so maybe this is just another phase of that. Except now, it’s less about chasing results and more about supporting my body through change.

And here’s the thing. I’m not doing this from a place of disliking my body. I’m doing it from a place of love. I love who I am, I love where I’m going, and I want to take care of this version of me now and for my future self.

According to the National Institute on Aging, perimenopause can last anywhere from 7 to 10 years as estrogen levels gradually decline.¹ And research published in the Journal of Women’s Health shows that hormonal shifts during this time can affect everything from mood and sleep to metabolism and bone health.² So really, realizing I’m in perimenopause isn’t the end of anything. It’s just another long, beautiful phase of becoming.

So now I’m looking at this as a journey, not a crisis. A new chance to learn, grow, and care for myself differently.

💭 If you’re in this phase too, what’s been the hardest (or funniest) part of realizing you’re in perimenopause?

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Sources:

1. National Institute on Aging. “Menopause: Time for a Change.” NIA.gov
2. Journal of Women’s Health. “Hormonal Transitions and Health Implications in Midlife Women.”