I’ll be 40 next year, and lately I’ve found myself reflecting on what this stage of life really means. In my clinic, I see so many women in their forties and fifties — women stepping into perimenopause, rediscovering themselves and learning to listen to their bodies in new ways. It’s made me realise that this time of life is not an ending at all, but a transformation.

What I’ve learned from the women around me is that ageing isn’t something to fear. Our bodies change — yes — but those changes are simply new ways for our bodies to communicate. Our energy shifts, our priorities evolve, and what once felt urgent often starts to feel less so. I think the key is to slow down, listen, and start truly prioritising our health and wellbeing.

As women, we’re often taught to push through fatigue, bloating, brain fog, or mood swings — to ignore our symptoms and carry on. But perimenopause is the body’s way of asking for attention. It’s saying, “I need care.” And when we listen, when we nourish ourselves, everything changes.

In my work, I’ve seen what a difference the right support can make. Lymphatic drainage massage, for example, helps the body detoxify, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation — all of which can support hormonal balance and energy levels. Pair that with a balanced diet, movement that feels good (not punishing), quality sleep, and the right supplements, and you can create a much smoother transition through perimenopause.

For me, that’s the message I want to share as I approach 40: this isn’t a decline, it’s a recalibration. Our bodies are incredibly wise, and midlife is the perfect time to reconnect with that wisdom.

I’m actually excited to turn 40. I feel more confident in my skin than I did in my twenties, not because everything is “perfect,” but because I finally understand my body. I know what it needs, what drains me, and what fills me back up. I care less about comparison and more about connection — with myself, with nature, and with other women walking this same path.

So, to anyone else approaching 40 or navigating perimenopause, I’d say: give yourself permission to slow down. Honour your body for all it’s carried you through. This is your invitation to nurture, restore, and rediscover what truly makes you feel well.

Because midlife isn’t the end of anything. It’s the start of knowing yourself — and loving yourself — more deeply than ever before.