I think it's official. Perimenopause has stopped knocking politely and has now moved into my brain rent-free. I had one of those days at work where I seriously considered putting my brain on a milk carton. And - these days seem to be coming more frequently…
The Report
Missing Brain: Last seen sometime around 8:15 am and answers to... well... apparently nothing.
Let's review the evidence shall we - First, I lost my work tablet.
Not once.
Not twice.
Not three times.
Six.
SIX times! By the third time, my coworkers weren't even asking where I'd left it.
They were just pointing.
"There it is, Amy."
Again.
At one point I started wondering if my co-workers were messing with me and moving it… sadly no - it was me - all me.
Then came my next brilliant moment.
I confidently walked up to the front door of the store, pulled out my car key, pointed it at the lock, and repeatedly pushed the unlock button.
Nothing.
I stood there for several seconds wondering why the door wasn't cooperating before it finally dawned on me...
You know...
Because it's a BUILDING.
Not a Honda.
And just when I thought I had reached peak embarrassment...
The phone rang.
I answered with my usual cheerful customer service voice."Thank you for calling Jared..."
Then...
Nothing.
Complete silence.
I couldn't remember my own name.
MY NAME.
Not the store's name.
My own.
The one I've had my entire life. There was this awkward pause while my brain searched every filing cabinet it has.
Nothing.
Meanwhile, the customer is still patiently waiting on the other end of the line while I'm internally thinking,
"Who am I?"
Eventually it came back to me.
Thankfully.
Because introducing yourself as, "Um... hold please..." probably isn't company policy.
Here's the funny thing. Ten years ago, I probably would have cried over a day like this. Today? I just laugh. I mean - it is better to laugh than cry - and trust me - there is plenty of tears going around too…
Because apparently this is what perimenopause does.
One minute you're a successful, capable, responsible adult.
The next you're trying to unlock buildings with your car key while searching for the tablet that's sitting right beside you.
If you've found yourself forgetting words...
Walking into rooms and completely forgetting why you’re there...
Putting your phone in the refrigerator...
Or introducing yourself to someone you've already met three times...
Welcome to the Perimenopause Diaries.
You're among friends.
And if you're not in perimenopause yet...
Go ahead and laugh at us while we are trying desperately to hold it together - Cause we sure as heck are laughing at ourselves (well some of us).
Beware though - Your turn is coming.
In all seriousness, I've learned something through all of this and I want to share it with you in hopes of offering some encouragement in this unpredictable season of life.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is laugh at ourselves. The bible says in Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine…”
We don't have to be perfect.
We don't have to have it all together every day.
Some days our brain simply decides to clock out before we do.
So don’t give up. Keep on keeping on.
Laugh and tell yourself - Let’s try again tomorrow.
And - If you happen to see a woman standing in front of a store repeatedly pressing her car key...
Be kind.
She isn't losing her mind.
She's probably just writing her next Perimenopause Diaries.
Until next time...
Stay cool, friends. ❤️
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