Gracefully Shifting Into the Next Season of Womanhood

When Change Caught Me by Surprise

Have you ever gotten the sniffles, had a little cough, and thought it must be allergies, only for more symptoms to pile on until you realize it’s something else entirely? That’s kind of how I felt a few years ago when my body started doing unfamiliar things. At first, I brushed it off, thinking maybe it was stress or diet-related. But as more symptoms appeared one after another, I began to sense that something deeper was happening. Eventually, I realized that perimenopause was quietly making its entrance.

As a teenager, I had heard the word menopause thrown around during family conversations. I only knew the basics…that a woman’s menstrual cycle ends and that hot flashes are common. I can still remember those moments being almost comical: windows flung open in the middle of Chicago winters, or women fanning themselves furiously with the nearest paper, trying anything to help cool down.

But years passed, and I didn’t think much more about it until my late thirties, when my OB-GYN mentioned that perimenopause might be something to keep in mind during an appointment. I prayed about it, believing that my experience would be different, smooth, graceful, and better than the “horror stories” I had heard. When you think about life changes, do you tend to research them or pray through them first?

Recognizing the Signs

In early 2022, my body began to change in ways that felt completely unfamiliar. I didn’t panic, but I was definitely confused. At first, I thought my diet might be to blame. Maybe too much sugar or not enough rest, but these changes seemed to appear all at once, without warning.

Over the course of a few weeks, I noticed a wave of symptoms, some mild and others impossible to ignore:

• Irregular periods  (sometimes longer, sometimes shorter, and sometimes skipped altogether)

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Insomnia or restless sleep

• Skin changes and breast tenderness

• Weight gain, especially around the midsection

• Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and moments of forgetfulness

It felt like my body had flipped a switch I didn’t know existed. The symptoms would come in spurts, like an avalanche one week, then be silent the next. When I couldn’t get a doctor’s appointment right away to get a professional opinion, I did what I try not to do: I turned to Google. Thankfully, reading through credible resources brought clarity and comfort. I finally had an answer that made sense: perimenopause. Just putting a name to what I was experiencing eased my mind and gave me direction. Have you ever experienced sudden changes in your body that left you puzzled? How do you usually handle uncertainty…research, prayer, or a bit of both?

Finding What Works for Me

As I learned more about perimenopause, I discovered there were several ways to manage the symptoms. One of the most common is HRT (hormone replacement therapy), but after researching it, I knew that wasn’t the path for me. I’ve always leaned toward a more natural approach and have seen great results using holistic remedies in the past. So I turned my focus to herbal supplements, vitamins, and small lifestyle changes that support hormonal balance.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned through it all is that diet plays a huge role. I began noticing patterns, especially how my body reacted to sugar. If I ate sweet treats later in the evening, I would wake up drenched from intense night sweats. I’ve never been a big sweets person, but this year I've been indulging more than usual, and I learned my lesson not to eat in the evenings. I noticed I experienced more hot flashes after eating something that contained sugar. I haven't quite identified the other foods that trigger the flashes, but once I cut back on the sweets, the difference was undeniable. The hot flashes became far less frequent, and I felt more in control again.

This season has taught me that our bodies are constantly communicating with us. Sometimes it just takes a few intentional changes and a lot of patience to listen and respond with care. Have you noticed certain foods or habits that affect how you feel? What small change could you make this week to help your body feel more balanced?

Embracing the Transition

As we grow more mature, our bodies naturally evolve, and that can feel both strange and sacred. Awareness makes all the difference. It helps us prepare rather than panic. My experience might look different from another woman’s. Still, one truth remains: perimenopause is a shared season of womanhood, and it eventually leads to menopause, another chapter of growth and wisdom.

If you’re entering this stage, I hope you approach it with grace and curiosity rather than fear. There’s beauty in understanding what’s happening and honoring your body through it. Take note of what brings comfort, what triggers symptoms, and what helps you feel most like yourself. Most importantly, be gentle with yourself. This transition is not a setback; it’s simply a shift. How do you remind yourself to embrace change instead of resisting it? What practices or routines help you stay grounded during times of transition?

I'd love to hear from you...

Have you experienced or are you approaching perimenopause? What have you learned so far? Whether it’s a helpful remedy, a mindset shift, or simply words of encouragement… comment below or email me. I’d really love to hear your story.