🗣️ Let’s Talk Midlife & Menopause

Hi Mamas —

Honestly, that stat from the Mayo Clinic feels a tad low. In between deadlines, Zoom calls and school runs, I bet many of us are in the throes of perimenopause and we don’t even know it.  Btw, did you know symptoms can start in our mid-30’s? 😲

The Mayo Clinic found that 13% of working women experienced at least one adverse work outcome in the past year due to menopause—whether that meant reduced hours, missed days, or even leaving a job.

You’re not imagining the brain fog, the hot flashes at the worst possible moments, the rage, or even the “wait… why did I walk into this room?” lapses. This is real—and it’s shaping our work lives in ways we don’t always say out loud. 

If you’ve wondered, “Is it just me?” The answer is NO. You’re not alone, and talking about it is the first step toward being supported—not sidelined. We see you, we’re with you, and it’s time to open up the conversation.

Also, we sure would love if you’d share The CARRY ALL newsletter with another mama who needs it—we are so grateful hearing how much you look forward to getting this in your inbox every Tuesday. Would you share the love and share your referral link to another mama (or two)?

Finally, since it’s the first newsletter of the month, don’t miss our September Must Reads at the bottom. Enjoy!

-Paula (Founder, CARRY™ Media)

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 🎙️ Talking Menopause Out Loud

• 🥵 Practical Hacks for Midlife Working Moms

• 🗣️ Breaking the Silence – Normalizing Menopause at Work

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣ 🎙️ Talking Menopause Out Loud

This month on The Paula Faris Show, we tackle the messy, exhausting, and sometimes hilarious truths of perimenopause and menopause. 

Paula is joined all month long by Dr Jen Ashton (founder, Ajenda) and Aarti Sequeira (Food Network Host). We’re talking about what you need to know: from how to prepare for this phase, to weight management during menopause, why testosterone could be the game-changer for women, and when the most change happens in our bodies (and brains!). Plus, on a serious note, why this time of our life marks when most women die by suicide. 

Ladies, we MUST TALK ABOUT THIS. The more we do, the more support —and change—we can create. 💛

🎧 Listen to our month long series here!

2️⃣  🥵 Practical Hacks for Midlife Working Moms

Menopause symptoms can sneak into your workday, making it harder to stay focused and productive. The good news? Small, intentional adjustments can make a huge difference!

• 📝 Brain Fog Busters: Keep a “capture list” (notes app, sticky pad, journal—whatever works) for tasks, ideas, or reminders. That way, when your brain goes on a brief vacation mid-meeting, nothing important gets lost.
  

• 💻 Micro Resets: Step away from your desk for 5 minutes between meetings. Stretch, hydrate, or just stare at a wall and breathe. Little pauses = big clarity.
  

• 🌡️ Temperature Hacks: Layer like it’s a fashion experiment or keep a personal fan handy. Hot flashes don’t have to announce themselves to the whole office.
  

• 🤝 Strategic Communication: Find a coworker or manager you trust and give them a heads-up when symptoms flare. Think of it as preemptive PR for your sanity—it normalizes the conversation and opens doors for support.
  

• ⏰ Flexible Wins: If your workplace allows, play with small flexes—shift meeting times, tackle heavy tasks when your brain is actually awake, or sneak in a quick walk. Even tiny tweaks can make your day feel way more manageable.

You don’t need to completely redesign your workday. Small, intentional changes let you stay effective, confident, and supported—even on the trickiest, “what the heck just happened?” days of perimenopause or menopause.

3️⃣ 🗣️ Breaking the Silence – Normalizing Menopause at Work

Many women feel like menopause is a “private struggle” that shouldn’t be discussed at the office—but staying silent comes at a cost: stress, reduced productivity, and even missed career opportunities. You can normalize the conversation—strategically and respectfully—without turning it into a TED Talk about hot flashes and brain fog.

Conversation Starters to Try:

• Keep it practical: “I’ve noticed certain times of day are harder for me to focus. Could we adjust my schedule slightly for key projects?” (Translation: my brain takes coffee breaks without me.)
  

• Frame it as efficiency: “I want to make sure I’m performing at my best. Would it be possible to [insert small adjustment] to help me stay on top of deadlines?” (Because nobody wins when I forget my own name mid-meeting.)
  

• Lean on workplace wellness: “Are there any flexible arrangements or wellness resources available for team members managing health challenges?” (Yes, this includes sneaky fan usage and extra snack breaks.)

✨ Bringing up your needs doesn’t have to be awkward. By framing it around performance, focus, and wellness, you open the door to support, reduce stigma, and help normalize menopause in the workplace. No one needs to suffer in silence, mama. Advocate for yourself!  

📰 IN THE NEWS

Brain Fog Meets Breakthroughs: Workplaces Stepping Up

🌟We love to see companies stepping up for women in the workplace! This TIME article highlights how U.S. companies—including Genentech, Adobe, Nvidia, Bank of America, and Bristol Myers Squibb—are finally talking about menopause instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. 🙌

From access to specialists and support groups to on-demand medical consultations, these perks are helping women navigate hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings without losing their sanity—or their careers. With an estimated 20% of the workforce in perimenopause or menopause, it’s about time workplaces recognized the impact and offered real support.

💛 Hats off to companies leading the charge! Read the full article.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎

for the midlife working mom

So…maybe you have girlfriends, sisters, or coworkers to vent to—but maybe you’re sitting there thinking, “Wait… is this me? Is this what’s been happening to my body?” Welcome to midlife, where sometimes your own body feels like a stranger. Curious (or slightly horrified) about what’s “normal”? Check out this resource.

Want to support your body during this season? Try a weighted vest—it actually helps with bone density and energy, and yes, you’ll feel like a total badass. (Pro tip: get one approx 10% of your body weight). Grab a tiny desk fan for hot flashes, fuel your brain with balanced meals and hydration, and use caffeine wisely (a little boost is great, but don’t turn a hot flash into a fire hazard).

And don’t forget—our entire podcast series this month is all about perimenopause and menopause. We hope it encourages you, gives you practical tips, and meets you exactly where you are in this wild, hilarious, sometimes confusing midlife journey.

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