Embracing My 40s
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I’ve been embracing my 40s with open arms.
Sure, there are more fine lines than before, and losing weight definitely isn’t as easy as it was in my 20s. But I’ve also become more confident, more comfortable in my own skin, and more intentional about taking care of my health.
That’s why I was genuinely interested when I attended guardian Malaysia’s Embracing Midlife Wellness campaign launch.
One thing really stood out to me.
Perimenopause isn’t talked about enough here in Malaysia.
I have friends who blame their hot flushes on Malaysia’s weather. Others think their mood swings are simply because they’re stressed at work. Poor sleep? Must be too much coffee. Brain fog? Probably just getting older.
The reality is that these could all be signs of perimenopause.
According to guardian Malaysia, an estimated 3.59 million Malaysian women aged 35 to 49 could experience perimenopause over the next decade. Yet many of us still don’t recognise the signs because no one really talks about them.
During the panel discussion, experts shared something that resonated with me deeply—many women spend months or even years trying to understand what’s happening to their bodies without realising that hormonal changes may be the reason.
That made so much sense.
As women, we’re often expected to keep going no matter how we feel. We juggle work, family, our children, our parents, and everyone else around us. Somewhere along the way, we forget to check in with ourselves.
I appreciate that guardian has created a Perimenopause Hub on their website and app with expert-backed educational resources, trained pharmacists to provide guidance in stores, and introduced MTick®, a certification symbol that helps women identify products that may support different signs associated with menopause.
Sometimes, what we need isn’t another miracle supplement.
As someone embracing her 40s, I believe conversations like these matter.
The more we understand our bodies, the better equipped we are to care for ourselves. We shouldn’t feel embarrassed talking about hormonal changes, just as we wouldn’t hesitate to discuss pregnancy or motherhood.
Midlife isn’t the end of anything. In fact, it can be the beginning of your best chapter. Just look at women like Daphne Iking, Atilia Haron, and so many others who’ve shown us that we can absolutely rock our 40s and beyond.
It’s another chapter—one where we continue learning, growing, and taking better care of ourselves.It’s another chapter—one where we continue learning, growing, and taking better care of ourselves. Reaching this milestone is a privilege, and one that deserves to be embraced with gratitude.
So if you’re in your late 30s or 40s and you’ve noticed changes that don’t quite make sense, don’t ignore them. Start asking questions. Read up on perimenopause. Speak to healthcare professionals if needed.
Knowledge is empowering.
And every woman deserves to navigate this stage of life with confidence, support, and without having to suffer in silence.
Here’s to embracing midlife—one conversation at a time.
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