Well, here we are, in the so-called ‘age of liberation,’ or as I like to call it, the ‘who cares anymore!’ phase. We’ve been peeling back layers of life like it’s a clearance sale at the Box Store—from the “delightful” childhood box to the hormonal teenage box, through the highs and lows of adult life, including the joys of motherhood and the challenges of marriage, not to mention the excitement of being unemployed. And just as we were about to celebrate breaking free from the limitations, what’s the prize? Premenopausal bloating. Wonderful. Oh no, indeed.
Oh, the joys of life keep on coming. Slaps from every direction—left, right, up, down—like I’m in a thunderstorm. But I’m not one to be easily defeated. Night falls, and oh great, here come the hot flashes. Then, just as I get used to the heat, bam, it’s cold. No more warmth, but don’t worry, it’ll return in a few minutes. Cue the sadness attack. Seriously, why now? I was trying to enjoy chatting with friends. Have a lovely morning. What on earth happened? Maybe an hour at the gym will save my sanity. Oh, wait, where did my energy go? I need a nap, a long one. Moving? Forget it. The symptoms hit like a ton of bricks. But sure, I can manage it. Of course, I can.
Healthy lifestyle, I’ve got this.
And then, boom, the scale. What happened to the scale? And the mirror? Oh, fantastic. I’m bloating and gaining kilos despite my oh-so-rigid healthy life. The doctor says, “Yes, but sorry, you’re one of the lucky ones who’ll gain weight uncontrollably during this period.” Perfect, just perfect. I’ve been dealing with these symptoms for a few years now, and they’re not getting any easier. It’s a constant battle, and sometimes, it feels like I’m losing.
So, I decided to share—not my misery, because let’s face it, it’s not just mine, it’s ours. Let’s keep our stories running and embrace this wild ride together.
Dana Obeid
How Will I Start This? They Say 40 Is the New 20, But…
They say 40 is the new 20, but as far as I remember, my 20s were all about fun and crazy times with friends, late nights out, and living without a care. Oh, what a thrilling age that was! Back then, mood swings were just plot twists in dramas, not daily occurrences, and the only flashes I experienced were from cameras.
They are wrong, оh so wrong. But here I am, embracing the chaos that is life at 45. I’m challenging myself to evolve, grow, and show my kids that age is just a number that won’t hold me back from chasing my dreams.
So, why am I starting a blog now, you ask? Well, this is my first foray into the world of writing. I’ve never been one to keep journals—my secrets have always been just for me. But now? Who cares!
I am 45 and diving headfirst into new experiences; my midlife crisis is choosing to be smart about its decisions, though I won’t lie, a dash of wildness remains, thanks to having the right circle of girlfriends. Together, we laugh until our sides hurt, get mad over the little things, vent our frustrations, then laugh again and embrace the craziness of life.
This platform is our space to share these journeys with you. From tales of misadventure to moments of quiet insight, you’ll get it all. And trust me, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
So, let the fun begin!
Nada Najjar
