Why Your 40s Might Feel Like a Storm—and How That Storm Is Clearing the Way for Your Power
Let’s talk about something most women don’t even realize they’re going through—something that can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and not quite like yourself… and no one warned you about it. Men, this is for you too. The words below may help you better understand your partner, so stay with me!
Welcome to perimenopause! The hormonal roller coaster that often starts in your 40s (sometimes even late 30s) and is rarely talked about honestly, even by many doctors. While life is asking more of you—your kids are growing up, your career is evolving, your relationships may be shifting—your body is going through one of the most significant hormonal changes since puberty. But unlike puberty, we’re expected to carry on like nothing’s happening.
Here’s what they don’t tell you: stress and hormone shifts do not mix well. When estrogen and progesterone levels begin to fluctuate wildly, the stress your body used to manage more easily can suddenly feel like a tidal wave. You may feel anxious “for no reason.” You may wake up at 3 a.m. with your heart racing. You might cry in the middle of the day or feel a sense of overwhelm that you can’t quite explain. Your sex drive is non-existent.
But guess what? You’re not crazy. Your body is changing. Your brain chemistry is adjusting. Your nervous system is more sensitive. And it’s all happening during a time of life when society expects you to hold it all together.
During perimenopause, anxiety becomes physiological. Hormonal changes affect the way your brain regulates mood, stress, and sleep. Add to that the mental load of raising kids, running a household, navigating relationships, and trying to excel at work, and it’s no wonder you’re feeling the way you are.
But instead of being told, “This is normal and there are things we can do to support you,” too many women are handed an antidepressant or other prescription and told to just push through.
It’s time to change that narrative.
Here’s a radical thought: What if perimenopause isn’t a breakdown… but a breakthrough?
What if this chapter of life—the mess, the mood swings, the hot flashes, the tears, the soul-deep exhaustion—isn’t a problem to be fixed, but a sacred invitation to finally pause and reflect?
You’ve spent years (maybe decades) pouring into others—shuttling kids to practice, climbing the career ladder, being the rock for your family. And you did it all beautifully. But now, your body is asking for something new: to turn inward.
Many of us have unprocessed grief, old stories, and wounds we’ve pushed down just to get through life. And while distraction worked in our 20s and 30s, your body now demands attention. The aches, the anxiety, the irritability—these aren’t just hormonal “symptoms.” They’re signals. They’re invitations to slow down, to heal, to become whole.
So here it is, friend. Your nudge. Your wake-up call.
You don’t need to keep hiding behind your to-do list, your kids’ schedules, your overwork, or that glass of wine at night that’s masking the anxiety. You don’t need to numb yourself with constant distraction or medication that only puts a temporary lid on what’s bubbling up.
You’re not broken. You’re becoming.
This transition-yes, even the uncomfortable parts—is a gift. It’s a chance to reclaim your voice, your energy, your body, and your truth. It’s time to support your nervous system, nourish your hormones, honor your body’s wisdom, and deal with what’s been quietly calling for healing.
I have to tell you I am radically going through this as I am typing!
Because the second half of life? That’s where your power lives.
Ready to support your body and mind during this shift?
Start by:
1. Prioritizing sleep, hydration, and whole foods that support hormonal balance.
2. Reducing chronic stress through breathwork, meditation, journaling, or somatic healing.
3. Embracing nervous system support with tools like sauna therapy, red light therapy, magnesium baths, or guided nervous system regulation.
4. Seeking practitioners who understand women’s health beyond the basics. Visit us @HappyWholeYou
And most of all, give yourself permission to stop doing and start being. Let the wisdom of this season unfold.
You deserve to thrive through it, not just survive it.
To slow down.
To stop hiding.
To reclaim your body, mind, and energy.
Because the second half of life is not where you fade—it’s where you rise.
PS. Need support with your hormones and mood. Reach out to info@DrAnnaMarie.com to book a 1-on-1 session to get you the support you need!
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