All aboard… whether we like it or not.
So I said this blog was about midlife—and what would midlife be without a little crazy?
Enter: Perimenopause. The wild ride that no one prepares you for. It’s like puberty in reverse, but with responsibilities, a job, bills, and kids/teenagers of your own. Oh, and aging parents that may require varying levels of attention and care.
You think, “Hey, at least there’s one silver lining: no more periods!”
But just when you’re ready to celebrate, your body throws a curveball.
Hot flashes.
Night sweats.
Mood swings that rival your teenage daughter’s.
Sleep disturbances.
Joint pain.
Anxiety.
Brain fog.
Random crying.
Hormonal rage.
Forgetfulness.
…Oh, and let’s not forget that delightful moment when you walk into a room and have no idea why you’re there. Or when you open your mouth to speak and the word you know you know just vanishes.
Brain Fog: My Personal Nemesis
The symptom that really messes with me? Brain fog.
I used to have a razor-sharp memory—names, dates, details, no problem. Now? I’m lucky if I remember what I was saying mid-sentence. And don’t even ask me to recall what I said in last week’s meeting.
It’s frustrating. It’s a little scary. And it makes me question:
Is this perimenopause? Or is this burnout? Or aging? Or all of the above?
I have a demanding job, a family, and like many women, I’m trying to juggle it all. But brain fog adds another layer of stress, because when your brain doesn’t feel like it’s firing the way it used to, it messes with your confidence. Which in my case, is probably one of the worst things that can happen given my already low confidence level.
You’re Not Alone (Even If It Feels Like It)
The truth is, every woman experiences perimenopause differently. Some breeze through it. Others feel like they’ve been body-snatched. And most of us are somewhere in between—functioning, but fraying a little at the edges.
What’s worse is that it often feels like no one talks about it. Like we’re supposed to just “deal with it” and keep going. But midlife is already a time when a lot of us are reevaluating things—our purpose, our careers, our relationships, our bodies.
Perimenopause just turns up the volume on all of it.
So What Do We Do?
Harvard University suggests a few options to combat brain fog:
- Prioritize regular exercise.
- Practice good sleep hygiene.
- Eat a brain-healthy diet.
- Exercise your mind.
- Use practical memory aids.
- Manage stress and practice mindfulness.
- Consider medical and/or hormonal support.
- Stay socially engaged.
In addition to the science…
We give ourselves grace.
We educate ourselves.
We talk about it—with friends, with doctors, with anyone who will listen.
We find humor in it, because sometimes that’s the only thing that helps.
We slow down when we need to.
We ask for help.
And we remember—this is a season. It’s not forever.
I don’t have all the answers. Heck, I barely remember what happened yesterday. But I do know this: the more we talk about it, the less alone we feel. And maybe, just maybe, we can ride this crazy train together—and make a few stops for snacks, laughter, and a lot of grace along the way.