1. Changes in sleep
I went from can’t fall asleep without background music to can’t fall asleep with any. I went from easily waking up at 5 am to struggling to roll out of bed at 8:30 am.
2. Body Temperature changes
Went from being cold all the time to being hot all the time. Even when I’m sleeping, during the winter I used a fan. I often wake up without pants and sometimes without a shirt. My feet, however, remain cold as always. Even as I type this, I have a little heated blanket on just my toes.
3. Changes in Patience
I find myself becoming more tolerant and less patient sometimes. I’m willing to chalk differences up to differences, but I’m no longer interested (on certain topics, with certain people) to debate or hear you out. I feel my blood pressure rising and decide to tap out before an argument starts. And because I need to live long enough to see my niece and nephew have kids, I choose peace and say, “Sure”
4. Increased Imposter Syndrome
As I get older and more assured in what I want to do with my life, I keep asking, “Did I start too late to be successful where I want to be? Would I even be good at it? Do I need more experience?” Then I convinced myself that it’s just a negative spirit trying to delay/distract and get a burst of motivation…until about 3 days later when, for example, a Youtube video has 5 views even though you thought the content was funny. Or when you look at the qualifications for law school versus what you’ve actually done in life and think, “There are way more qualified people for this position.” Maybe. Or maybe, just do it like Nike.
5. Exhaustion and More sensitivity to Hormone Changes
“Y’all. My hormones are raging and I pray to God it’s my period and not just another surprise in my thirties because the way I woke up and chose violence is unnatural.” That was the beginning of a rant I sent to my friends WHO HAD THE SAME SENTIMENT. The way my body is so sensitive around my period is wild to me. Mood swings galore. An Esso commercial made me cry. Yes. Esso. The gas station. I’m hungry all the time, or I feel full all the time, I’m tired all the time (which might just be an iron deficiency, according to my friend who has an iron deficiency), and nothing satisfies me for about 15 days out of the month. Do you know how exhausting that is?? I miss being 29.
Also, the rant ended with, “…this is why people do drugs” so just imagine what was said in between.
Buckle up, buttercups, it’s a wild ride ahead!