Nearly Three Weeks In — and Feeling Like Myself Again

As I close in on almost three weeks on progesterone, I can honestly say—I feel really good. Not in a dramatic, overnight kind of way, but in a steady, grounding, this-feels-right way.

The biggest change has been sleep. I’m sleeping deeper and more consistently, and when I wake up, I actually feel rested. That alone feels life-changing. My mood has followed suit—calmer, more even, more “chill.” The constant edge I didn’t even realize I was carrying feels softened.

I’m also noticing a gentle return of motivation. It’s not frantic or forced—it’s quiet and steady. Maybe it’s the new year and fresh goals, or maybe it’s my hormones beginning to support me instead of working against me. Most likely, it’s a little of both.

As of yesterday, I added low-dose estrogen and testosterone to help bring my levels back to where they should be. I did notice a brief, subtle awareness that something new had been introduced—slight dizziness and a few deeper breaths—but nothing alarming or long-lasting. Honestly, I can’t even say for sure if it was related, but I’m listening closely to my body and giving it grace as it adjusts.

Common Side Effects When Starting HRT

(Everyone is different, but here’s what’s often reported)

Positive changes may include:

• Better sleep and energy

• Improved mood and emotional balance

• Increased motivation and mental clarity

• Improved muscle tone, libido, and overall vitality

• Feeling more like yourself again

Temporary or mild side effects can include:

• Light dizziness or headaches

• Breast tenderness or bloating

• Fatigue as the body adjusts

• Subtle anxiety or changes in breathing early on

Most of these, when they happen, are short-lived as the body finds its new balance.

Looking Ahead

I feel ready. Ready for this new year. Ready for new beginnings. My goals are clear, my mindset is steady, and my body finally feels supported. I’m not rushing—just moving forward with confidence and intention.

Here’s to listening to our bodies, honoring the process, and stepping boldly into what’s next. I’m ready to conquer—calmly, wisely, and fully aligned. ✨

A Gentle Beginning

In this season of Christmas, I’m reminded that restoration often comes quietly. Not all miracles arrive with fanfare, some come through waiting, slowing down, and trusting God’s timing.

As I care for my body, I’m also resting my heart in the truth that Jesus is the reason for this season—the source of peace, healing, and renewal. Just as I’m allowing my body time to adjust and heal, I’m allowing myself grace. Grace to slow down. Grace to rest. Grace to receive.

This journey is not just about hormones or health. It’s about gratitude, surrender, and trusting that God meets us right where we are.

This first week has been about listening. I’ve noticed that I feel sleepier overall, though a few nights have still been a bit restless. I’ve experienced some very mild and expected side effects as my body adjusts to progesterone—slight dizziness, mild headaches, and a bit of bloating—but nothing alarming or enough to make me question this path. It feels more like my body adjusting and learning something new.

As I move forward, I’m hopeful. Hopeful for deeper, more restorative sleep. Hopeful for reduced anxiety and bloating as my hormones find balance. I’m also looking ahead to better bone density and brain health. With more aches and pains lately, I’ve found myself questioning my strength, and the brain fog and forgetfulness have been reminders that my body has been asking for support.

This week isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—steady, faithful progress.

In just a few days, we leave for Hawaii, and my prayer is simple: calm, presence, and joyful time with family. I’m choosing to carry this slower pace with me, trusting that rest is productive, healing is happening, and this season is exactly where I’m meant to be..

Post-Lab Reflections: Answers, Relief, and a Path Forward

Today was my post-lab work consultation, and I walked in feeling that familiar anxiety that so many of us carry into medical appointments, the fear of what we might discover. The very first thing my provider, Britney, said stopped that worry in its tracks: my labs looked great and I am healthy, especially compared to many women she sees at this stage of life. Hearing that right away felt reassuring and I was ready to hear the rest.

While my overall health looks strong, my labs did give us some important answers to why I haven’t been feeling quite like myself. My estrogen is very low, progesterone needs support, and my testosterone is on the low side (though still better than she has seen with many women my age). My thyroid markers (T3 and T4) are low, and my electrolytes showed some imbalance—low sodium and potassium, with signs that my body has been under stress. These patterns can explain symptoms like low energy, poor sleep, slower metabolism, brain fog, mood changes, and that overall “blah” feeling that’s hard to put into words.

The encouraging part? These are fixable. I’ll be starting progesterone tonight, along with targeted supplements to support hormones, thyroid function, and mineral balance. Additional prescriptions will be added once I return from Hawaii, giving my body time to adjust step by step.

More than anything, I feel relieved to have answers and hopeful knowing there’s a clear plan to help me feel better from the inside out. We did have the talk about HRTs and the concerns I have. Although, very personal and maybe not for everyone, I am confident moving forward that I am making the right decision for me. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to share what I learn along the way.
✨ Follow along in the days ahead as I continue documenting this wellness journey.

This Week Feels Different - in the Best Way

This appointment isn’t about quick fixes or guesses. It’s about clarity, understanding my body better and finally having guidance that makes sense for me.

More than anything, this visit feels like it will be empowering. Knowledge, to replace frustration. Direction to replace all the guessing. And I’m going into this next phase with real tools to optimize my health and feel my best, every single day (insert sigh of relief :).

At the end of this week, I’ll be celebrating a birthday. No need to put a number on it, but I will say this… I’m entering a new season of life and I want to feel amazing! I have so many things I’m excited about: travel, time with family, experiences, making memories… and I want the energy, strength and confidence to fully show up for all of it.

Before we head off to Hawaii, I’m also setting the tone to begin creating new habits. And yes—this week includes Christmas, a birthday, packing, travel, celebrations, and real life. But honestly? There is no perfect time to start. There is only now.

So instead of waiting, I’m choosing small, intentional steps: hydration, exercise, better sleep routines and tuning in to what makes me feel good. Not perfection. Just progress.

This week isn’t about restriction or pressure, it’s about laying a foundation so I can move forward feeling strong, informed, and excited.

Here’s to answers, new beginnings, and stepping into what’s next—feeling really, really good.

Why I am Choosing This Wellness Path

As is sit her today and grab for yet another Christmas cookie, I thought it would make sense to share how I got here and why I chose this path into wellness and the reasons I just cannot ignore anymore.

My body has changed. My metabolism feels slower, and over time I’ve put on pounds that just won’t come off no matter how many “good plans” I create for myself. I know what works. I’ve taught it. I’ve lived it. Yet lately, my ability to stay consistent feels almost nonexistent. The motivation and drive that once came naturally to me feels so distant, and I keep asking myself, where did I go?

My sleep is restless. I wake up in the middle of the night or too early in the morning and I struggling to fall back asleep. During the day, I crave alone time more than connection and I miss my balance. I miss wanting to show up fully for the people I love and I fear my body is not recovering from day-to-day like it should and that can lead to a slew of health issues. I’m running on autopilot instead of intention.

My joints and muscles ache, like never before. I registered to run a 5K in March thinking my love for running will help me to stay committed, but now I am dealing with a hip issue that is causing all kinds of kinetic-chain reactions. All of the “getting older” aches and pains of which I have never allowed to become an excuse, because you know… age is just a number, are now feeling like real set-backs to my goals and plans.

And the most frustrating part? I know exactly what I need to do, but knowing and doing feels miles apart right now.

This journey isn’t about perfection or punishment. It’s about reconnecting with myself. Rebuilding trust. Creating structure when willpower is low. Choosing care over avoidance. And slowly, intentionally, becoming me again.

This is why I’m here. And this time, I’m staying!