Menopause Is Real, and So Are You

Let’s be honest: menopause ins't "just a phase." It can feel like your brain, your body, and your emotions all signed up for a reality show you never agreed to star in. One day you’re sharp and focused, the next you lose your phone 7 times in one day. A random hot flash has your face on fire in the middle of a meeting. And sleeping through the night? Forget about it. These experiences aren't just annoying, they're exhausting.

Take this to heart: when you’re feeling this way, you’re not weak, you're not being dramatic, and you're certainly not imagining things. You’re experiencing very real physical and emotional changes. Brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, night sweats, frustrating weight gain and crushing fatigue are symptoms of hormonal shifts happening inside your body.

Why Does Menopause Catch So Many Women Off Guard?

We all expect menopause to happen eventually, but most of us think it’s as simple as “your period stops.” The truth is, the transition begins years earlier in what is known as perimenopause, and it can last for years. That’s a long time to feel like you’re not fully yourself.

To make matters harder, menopause often shows up right when life is already at capacity. Whether it's caring for aging parents, juggling careers, helping kids transition into their own adult lives, working through relationship challenges or simply staying up to date on the latest world news, it's no wonder why this transition can be so unwelcome.

There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Fix

This is where the conversation gets real. There isn’t a silver bullet "cure" for menopause symptoms. What works for your best friend might not work for you. Some women find relief with hormone therapy. Others swear by lifestyle shifts, supplements, or herbal remedies. Sometimes the small stuff, like better sleep routines, lighter clothes, and less caffeine, can significantly take the edge off. 

Just remember: there's no definitive right or wrong way to experience menopause.

The “We Do Not Care Club”

If you're looking for a light-hearted reprieve from menopause, head over to TikTok where women are finding community in the “We Don’t Care Club." It’s about refusing to carry the crushing weight of perfection or having to smile through something if you don’t feel like it. In fact, you can even stop caring about the mundane things altogether.

Take it from these women on TikTok:

"We do not care if our jeans fit yesterday. Today they insulted us, and they’re dead to us. Leggings it is." - MommyMichelle1234:

"We do not care that we have the TV on but we are not watching it. It’s our emotional support background noise." - Laurel MacCulloch 🇨🇦

" We do not care if you called us. We do not use our phone for talking to people. We text and that’s all you’re going to get." - Leanna

"We do not care that the A/C is at 68 and I’m under a blanket watching true crime. I’m the adult now. I make the choices." - Nicola

Here’s the truth: The most important thing you can do in this chapter is give yourself grace. Take it easy where you can. Try different approaches until you find what feels right. There’s no gold medal for getting through menopause “perfectly.” But there’s a lot of peace in reminding yourself: you’re human, you’re doing your best, and that’s more than enough.