BEHIND THE BODY

Diet • Fitness • Lifestyle for Women 40+

I spent 17 years working for a corporation, so I’m very familiar with the Sunday scaries.

When Sunday night comes, you start dreading a week full of office time, conference calls, endless meetings, project deadlines, and maybe work that doesn’t really excite you.

Since I started working for myself, I haven’t felt that way. I really enjoy the work I do for Behind the Body and the responsibilities that come with it. And honestly, if I didn’t feel like working on a Monday, I could go to the beach, relax in my backyard, or spend the day reading. No one is forcing me to do anything on Monday.

So when I started to feel that familiar dread in my stomach on Sunday nights a few months ago, it didn’t make sense. If I hated my job, it would be understandable. But I love my job, so I knew the feeling had another cause.

When a feeling like this emerges, especially after 40, it’s easy to think it’s just who you are now. That you got lazy. That you lost your motivation. That you don’t enjoy life the way you used to. And once you believe that, you stop looking for the cause, because you think you are the cause.

I almost fell into that trap. I almost convinced myself I was losing joy, becoming more irritable, and falling out of love with my work. But I didn’t let myself go there. I’m still the same person who loves her work and her life. It turns out, my hormones were just out of balance.

For me, the cause was perimenopause. I never had hot flashes or night sweats, and my endocrinologist still said my symptoms were normal.

I talk about my full experience with my symptoms and HRT in this week’s bonus podcast episode: I Started HRT for Perimenopause With Zero Hot Flashes. In the episode, I share what made me call my doctor, what she told me, and how my first week on HRT has gone.

My Suggestion For You

The question that made me contact my doctor was simple: Are these feelings getting in the way of my life and how I usually feel and act?

If nothing in your life has changed, but you’re struggling to understand these new feelings, it’s worth talking to your doctor about them. My symptoms didn’t match what you usually see online, but my doctor still took them seriously. I recommend mentioning your symptoms too, even if they don’t fit the “conventional” list.

Periodically ask yourself that question if you're feeling off. It helps you check in with yourself the next time you think, “this is just who I am now.” Sometimes that’s true, but sometimes it’s your hormones, and that’s something you can talk to someone about and potentially get relief from.

What I'm Loving This Week

I’ve been spending a lot of time on the r/perimenopause and r/menopause forums on Reddit. I had the app on my phone for years but never used it until now. Reading about other women’s experiences, symptoms, and what they’re trying makes me feel much more at ease. If you’ve ever felt alone in this, read a few posts. You’ll see you’re not.

Because You Didn't Ask...

In case you're new here, I'm a big Taylor Swift fan. I think she’s an incredible artist and a great role model for girls. She's charitable and kind, and I've always loved her music.

I know The Life of a Showgirl wasn't everyone's favorite (even though it broke sales records), so not everyone was excited about the 4 new songs on The Encore. I really like them!

I, of course, love getting in my feels with her deeper lyrics. She puts into words what so many of us feel about life and relationships. But sometimes I want a fun, catchy song, and that's what TLOASG and Encore are for me.

Have you listened to The Encore? Which song is your favorite?

Great chat! Let's do it again next Tuesday.

Xx,

Andrea