Droppin' Fresh Beats on Menopause

Once I realized I was in perimenopause, it felt like someone handed me a VIP pass to the weirdest club in existence—complete with mood swings, night sweats, and existential dread. Suddenly, I was walking around eyeing other women like, "Are you one of us? Are you riding this hormonal rollercoaster too, or are you just cool as a cucumber, sipping on your matcha like life’s a breeze? "For real, though, it’s wild how menopause is this huge thing we all have to go through, yet it feels like it’s filed under “Things We Don’t Talk About But Definitely Should.” Like, why isn’t there a Menopause 101 class you’re automatically enrolled in when you hit 40? Instead, we’re all out here playing Clue with our own bodies: Who stole my patience? Why am I crying at this Subaru commercial? Why do I suddenly want to karate chop the world? But when I finally figured out why I was feeling like a slightly unhinged version of myself, it was like finding the Rosetta Stone of midlife. I wanted to scream from the rooftops, "I’M NOT CRAZY, I’M JUST IN MENOPAUSE!" (Although, let’s be honest, the line between those two can be real blurry some days.)Here’s the thing nobody tells you: menopause is not just about popping an HRT pill, eating a kale salad, or doing yoga while pretending to love downward dog. No, my friends, it’s a package deal. You’ve got to treat the whole dang shebang: hormones, nutrition, fitness, mental health, self-care, and maybe the occasional screaming into a pillow. It’s the ultimate DIY renovation project, and guess what? You are the fixer-upper. It’s not just about surviving menopause—it’s about coming out the other side with your sanity (mostly) intact. Trust me, putting in the effort to take care of all aspects of your health now means you’ll suffer less later. The ultimate goal? To escape menopause hell relatively unscathed and maybe even a little wiser. Or at least with fewer sweat stains. So, to all my perimenopause pals, know this: we’re in this funky fresh hormonal rap battle together. And if you see me walking down the street, staring at you like I’m wondering if you’re a fellow warrior? Don’t be alarmed—just flash me a peace sign and a knowing look. We’ve got this, one hot flash at a time. Word to your ovaries. ✌

By: Raquel Riggle