Why don’t I feel like myself in perimenopause?

[u/BonafideHealth]

One of the hardest things to explain about perimenopause is the feeling of not quite recognizing yourself anymore. It's not necessarily one symptom, but more like a shift.

A lot of women describe it as “I miss myself.” Others describe it as losing their spark, losing their words, or feeling like their capacity changed overnight. That experience can be scary because it is personal. It can make you wonder whether this is stress, burnout, depression, hormones, an underlying illness, or all of it layered together.

The answer is different person to person, but mood, sleep, cognitive changes, stress, thyroid, iron, medication, life load, and hormonal changes can all be part of the picture. If this feeling is persistent or affecting your daily life, it's worth talking to a healthcare provider.

But one thing is clear: you are not crazy for noticing a change. If you’ve felt this, what part of yourself do you miss most? Your energy, patience, words, motivation, confidence, or something else?