There’s a phrase I’ve found myself saying more and more lately: “I just can’t be bothered.”
It isn’t because I’m unhappy or because I’ve lost my enthusiasm for life. I still love my work, my family and spending time with the people who matter most. What has changed is my appetite for the pace of modern life. The endless WhatsApp groups, notifications arriving every few minutes, social commitments that fill every weekend and the feeling that everything needs an immediate response all seem far more draining than they once did.
Whenever I bring it up with friends, I’m usually met with, “Oh my goodness, me too!” It’s a conversation I have in clinic as well. Women in their late thirties, forties and fifties often tell me they feel out of step with the way life is now. They still want purpose, connection and fun, but many no longer feel the same pull to be constantly busy or permanently available.
Perimenopause is often blamed whenever women describe these changes, and hormones are certainly part of the picture. As oestrogen levels fluctuate, many women notice changes in sleep, mood, concentration and emotional regulation. Brain fog becomes more common, anxiety can increase and things that once felt manageable can suddenly feel much more demanding.
