When Everything Feels “Meh”: Finding Joy Again in Perimenopause

🌸 A Moment You Might Recognize

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing is really wrong…

…but nothing feels quite right either?

You go through your normal routine.
You check the boxes.
You get things done.

But underneath it all, there’s this quiet feeling of…

👉 blah
👉 flat
👉 meh

Things that used to make you happy don’t hit the same.
You’re not necessarily sad… but you’re not feeling much of anything.

If you’ve found yourself in this space during perimenopause, you’re not alone.

🌿 That “Meh” Feeling Has a Name

That flat, disconnected feeling?

It can actually be a form of anhedonia—a reduced ability to feel joy or interest in things you once enjoyed.

And while that might sound a little heavy…

It’s more common than you might think—especially during perimenopause.

🌸 Why It Happens During Perimenopause

During this stage of life, your body is navigating significant hormonal shifts—particularly in estrogen and progesterone.

These hormones don’t just impact your cycle…

They also influence:

• mood
• motivation
• stress response
• brain chemistry

Fluctuations can affect neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin—both of which play a role in how we experience pleasure and joy.

Add in:

• poor sleep
• increased stress
• mental overload
• shifting life roles

…and it makes sense why joy might feel harder to access.

👉 This isn’t a personal failure
👉 It’s a reflection of what your body is navigating

🌿 But Here’s What Matters Most

Even though joy may feel harder to reach…

👉 it is still available to you

And more importantly:

👉 it’s something you can begin to gently reconnect with

🌸 The Power of Joy (Especially Right Now)

Joy isn’t just a “nice to have.”

It’s supportive to your health.

Moments of joy can:

✨ help regulate your nervous system
✨ reduce stress and cortisol levels
✨ support emotional balance
✨ shift your perspective

✨ ease perimenopause symptoms
✨ even improve sleep and overall well-being

Especially during perimenopause—when your body is under more stress—these moments matter more than ever.

💛 A Gentle Reframe

We often think:

“I’ll feel better when things settle down.”
“I’ll feel joy again when this phase is over.”

But what if joy isn’t something you have to wait for?

👉 What if it’s something you can begin to choose—in small, simple ways?

Not forced.
Not fake.

Just… intentional.

🌿 Redefining What Joy Looks Like

Here’s something important to consider:

👉 Joy might not look the same as it used to

And that’s okay.

What used to energize you might not anymore.
What once felt exciting might now feel overwhelming.

This season invites you to ask:

💭 What actually feels good to me right now?

Joy doesn’t have to be big or dramatic.

It can be:

• quiet
• simple
• grounding
• calming

✨ “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”

— Henri Nouwen

🌸 Choosing Joy

Choosing joy doesn’t mean ignoring hard things.

It means allowing space for both.

👉 Joy and struggle can coexist
👉 You don’t have to wait for one to disappear to experience the other

🌿 Simple Ways to Cultivate Joy

If joy has been feeling out of reach, start here:

💛 Create small moments

• step outside and feel the sunshine
• enjoy your coffee without multitasking
• listen to music you love

💛 Revisit what used to light you up

• hobbies
• creative outlets
• simple pleasures

(And give yourself permission if they look different now.)

💛 Move your body in a way that feels good

• gentle walks
• stretching
• dancing in your kitchen

💛 Connect with others

• a meaningful conversation
• laughter
• feeling seen and understood

💛 Limit what drains you

• constant noise
• negativity
• information overload

💛 Start a “joy list”

Write down small things that feel good—so when you’re feeling off, you have a place to start.

💛 Practice presence

Joy often lives in the small, quiet moments we usually rush past.

🌸 A Gentle Reminder

You don’t need to overhaul your life to feel better.

You don’t need to force happiness.

You don’t need to “fix” everything.

💛 Small moments count
💛 Awareness matters
💛 Intention goes a long way

🌿 Want a Little Extra Support?

If you’re finding that joy feels a little out of reach right now…

Sometimes it helps to have simple tools that gently guide you back.

That’s exactly why I created a few resources to support you in building more moments of calm, gratitude, and joy into your everyday life:

💛 Gratitude Journals — to help you shift your focus and notice the good (even on the hard days)
💛 My Guide to Journaling — if you’ve ever thought “I don’t even know where to start”
💛 The Positivity Playbook — filled with simple activities to help you reconnect with joy
💛 Coloring Books — because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is slow down and create without pressure

These aren’t about doing more…

They’re about giving you small, supportive ways to reconnect with yourself.

👉 You can explore them here: Books and Resources