Perimenopause Taught Me Strength I Didn't Know I Had

I was in the middle of a particularly difficult day with my perimenopause symptoms. I had hot flashes. I had brain fog. I had anxiety. I had mood swings. Everything felt impossible. And I was still managing my work. I was still showing up for my family. I was still getting through the day. At the end of that day, I realized something. I was stronger than I thought I was. I was managing something incredibly difficult. And I was still standing. That realization changed how I saw myself.

How I got here

I had never thought of myself as particularly strong. I was not athletic. I did not do difficult things. I was kind of soft and easy-going. I avoided conflict. I did not push myself. Then perimenopause happened and I had to push myself. I had to manage symptoms that were scary and confusing. I had to advocate for my health when doctors did not listen. I had to set boundaries with people. I had to make difficult changes. I had to keep going even when I wanted to give up. And in the process, I discovered that I was stronger than I thought.

What I actually did

I went through perimenopause. I showed up. I kept going. I did not give up. When symptoms were bad, I did not quit my job or give up on my relationships. I looked for solutions. I advocated for myself. I set boundaries. I made changes. I asked for help. I kept going. Day after day. Month after month. And I came through it. I am still in the middle of it, but I am coming through it. And I am discovering that I am capable of managing difficult things. I am resilient. I am strong.

What actually changed

My sense of self shifted. I went from seeing myself as soft and kind to seeing myself as resilient and strong. I discovered that strength and kindness are not mutually exclusive. I can be a kind person and also be someone who pushes through difficult things. I can be a person who takes care of others and also someone who sets boundaries for myself. I can be both. That realization is empowering.

What my routine looks like now

I have a different sense of myself now. I know what I am capable of. I know that I can manage difficult things. I know that I am stronger than I realized. That knowledge makes it easier to face whatever comes next. I carry that strength with me.

If you are going through perimenopause and you feel like you are barely holding on, I want you to know that what you are doing is an act of strength. You are managing something incredibly difficult. You are showing up. You are keeping going. That is powerful. That makes you stronger than you realize. Hold onto that. Because that strength is real and it is yours.