Why You’re Doing Everything ‘Right’ and Still Feel Like a Hot Mess

Shannon Wade
Jun 27
3 min read

The hidden hormone disruptors no one is talking about (and how to reset naturally)

You meal prep. You drink your water. You take your supplements, move your body, and even prioritize sleep (most nights). And yet… you're still exhausted, foggy, moody, puffy, and wondering:

“What the heck is going on with my body?”

Let me say this first: ✨ It’s not your fault. ✨ You’re not lazy. ✨ And you’re definitely not crazy.

I talk to women every single day — smart, driven, intentional women — who feel like they’re falling apart despite doing “all the right things.” And here’s what I tell them:

Perimenopause changes the game — and the rules you used to follow no longer work the same way.

**When you're doing ALL the 'right things' but your hormones have other plans... 😅**

The Problem: Hidden Hormone Disruptors Are Sabotaging Your Efforts

Even if you're checking all the boxes, certain invisible stressors might be undermining everything you're trying to do. These aren’t just buzzwords — they’re biological triggers that confuse your hormones and keep your system in chaos.

Let’s look at the top culprits:

**But I thrive under pressure!’ Sound familiar?**

1. Stress (Especially the Kind You’ve Normalized)

High-functioning women often run on adrenaline without realizing it. That constant go-go-go life floods your system with cortisol, which can:

Disrupt sleep
Cause blood sugar crashes
Trigger fat storage (hello, belly bloat)
Leave you feeling tired-but-wired

Reset: Start small with nervous system regulation — breathwork, grounding walks, or even 5 minutes of quiet without your phone can lower cortisol significantly.

**Your strength isn’t measured by sweat—it’s shown in how you adapt.**

2. Over-Exercising or Under-Recovering

Too much high-intensity cardio or fasted workouts during perimenopause can actually increase stress on your system and mess with your hormones. You might be unknowingly spiking cortisol and throwing your body into survival mode.

Reset: Focus on strength training, walking, pilates, or yoga. Think: restorative movement over punishment.

3. Skipping Meals (or Eating Too Clean)

Trying to “be good” often leads to skipping meals, cutting carbs, or intermittent fasting in ways that don’t support your shifting hormones. The result? Mood swings, brain fog, sugar cravings, and stubborn weight.

Reset: Focus on balanced blood sugar — eat every 4-5 hours, include protein, healthy fats, and slow carbs in each meal. Trust me, your brain and energy levels will thank you.

4. Toxic Thoughts About Aging and Worth

Let’s be honest: we’ve been conditioned to believe our value fades with age. These sneaky, subconscious thoughts feed stress, anxiety, and self-sabotage — and that emotional inflammation affects your body just as much as poor sleep or sugar.

Reset: Flip the narrative. Midlife isn’t an ending — it’s a rebirth. You are stepping into wisdom, power, and the most liberated version of you yet.

5. Gut Health & Hidden Inflammation

You can be eating all the “right” things, but if your gut is inflamed or out of balance, nutrients aren’t being absorbed properly. That means less energy, more brain fog, and hormone chaos.

Reset: Incorporate gut-loving foods like bone broth, fermented veggies, and prebiotic fiber. You may also benefit from targeted gut-brain support (contact me if you're curious about what I use).

The Truth: It’s Not About Doing More

If your body is screaming at you, it’s not asking for another detox, stricter plan, or 5 am boot camp.

It’s asking you to slow down and listen.

To shift from hustle to harmony. To move from fixing to feeling. To create safety in your system so your hormones can find balance again.

Ready to Take the First Step?

I created a free downloadable guide that walks you through 5 key systems that influence your hormones in midlife — and gives you practical ways to start feeling better naturally.

[Download the Guide: “The Midlife Reset Map”]

The Midlife Reset Map