Breakfast, Batwings & Balance: A Reminder of What Really Matters

Recently, I had breakfast with a small group of high school classmates. We're all in our late 50s now, and each of us is moving through different transitions—within ourselves, in our bodies, and in our families.

What started as casual conversation over coffee quickly deepened into something more meaningful. We talked about the realities of this season of life—hot flashes, sore joints, and the mystery of batwings (you know the ones!). We shared laughs, swapped tips, and—just as naturally—shifted into holding space for those grieving recent losses. The conversation moved gently between humor and heartache, and somehow it all felt healing.

I left that breakfast feeling both joyful and calm. It reminded me how essential social connection is to our well-being—emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Even when these kinds of gatherings only happen a few times a year, their effects ripple outward. They offer grounding. Perspective. Relief.

This kind of connection also helps regulate one of the most powerful hormones in our body: cortisol.

Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, plays a critical role in maintaining balance in the body. It helps manage blood sugar, metabolism, inflammation, and energy levels. But when we experience chronic stress—whether from caregiving, hormone shifts, work, or emotional strain—our cortisol levels can remain elevated for too long. Over time, this can wreak havoc on everything from sleep to digestion to mood.

These conversations and shared moments remind me why I do the work I do. They inspire me to keep learning and supporting women like you—women navigating midlife with strength, curiosity, and compassion.

We’re not meant to do this alone. We heal, learn, and thrive better when we do it together.