Hormones, Mental Health, and Finding Your Way Through

If you’re somewhere in the middle of life and feeling like your brain and body didn’t get the memo that you’re still trying to keep it all together… you’re not alone. We call it the “messy middle” for a reason.

So, what is the messy middle?

It’s that stretch of time when hormones start shifting (sometimes slowly, sometimes like a freight train), and the things that used to feel manageable suddenly… don’t. You might notice changes in your mood, sleep, patience, focus, or energy. And the hardest part? You might start wondering if it’s “just you.”

It’s not. It’s your body—and your brain—trying to adjust. And you deserve care that adjusts with you.

Mental health and hormones: it’s all connected.

Perimenopause and other hormonal shifts can mimic or amplify anxiety, depression, and mood swings. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner who specializes in women’s mental health, I see it every week in my practice: women doubting themselves, feeling off, and unsure of where to turn.

At a recent event—Corks and Curls at Polite Society Hair Salon—I had the honor of speaking alongside therapist Emily Combes from Sequoia Therapy Group. We talked through mental health at every stage of life—from perinatal and postpartum care to the shifts that happen during midlife. One thing that stuck with both of us (and the women in the room) was this simple truth:

Mental health is physical health.
Your hormones, your emotions, your energy—it’s all connected.

Now, I’ll be honest—I was terrified to speak in front of everyone. Public speaking has never been my comfort zone, and that room felt very real and close. But I did it anyway. And once I started, the fear gave way to connection. Because that’s what happens when we show up authentically—we create space for others to do the same.

The event was intimate, honest, and full of thoughtful questions from women just trying to make sense of what they’re feeling. It was a reminder that so many of us are moving through similar seasons—and that we heal better together.

Let’s keep the conversation going.

This is why I’m showing up in more spaces this season—to continue these real, grounded conversations in community with women just like you:

🗓 May 31 – I’ll be speaking on the panel at The Lady Lounge’s Mental Health Fashion Show, where we’ll explore identity, confidence, and the connection between how we feel on the inside and how we show up in the world. Tickets are available on Eventbrite by searching The Lady Lounge.

🗓 June 5 – I’m teaming up with Rose and the team at Clare Beauty and Wellness for an exclusive, cozy evening dedicated to hormone shifts and that beautiful, messy middle. We’ll talk about what’s happening in your body, how it connects to your mental health, and what you can actually do to feel more like yourself. Email me directly if you want to get more information!

You’re not “too much.” You’re not imagining things. And you’re definitely not alone.

If you’ve been feeling off, burned out, anxious, or like you’re quietly struggling with a body or mind you don’t fully recognize anymore—it’s time to stop white-knuckling it. Support exists. And the right care doesn’t just treat symptoms—it sees you.

I hope I’ll see you soon.
Amy