Reframe Your Healing Mindset in Perimenopause: Why True Wellness Is Lifelong - Not Linear

mariekesteen
3 hours ago
4 min read

Why Healing Isn’t “One and Done” in Perimenopause (and What to Expect Instead)

Healing Isn’t One and Done

Many women in perimenopause come to me feeling frustrated, confused, or exhausted by symptom cycles.

One day, energy crashes, bloating, mood swings, or hormone fluctuations make life feel heavy. We notice something is off and immediately think:

"If I start HRT, everything will feel better.""If I follow this protocol for 12 weeks, I’ll be done."

But here’s the truth: healing isn’t one and done - especially during perimenopause. What your body needs today may shift tomorrow, and life will continue to challenge your resilience in ways we can’t always predict.

This is why cultivating a healing mindset in perimenopause is so important. It helps you stay grounded, flexible, and empowered - even when symptoms return or progress feels slow.

Why the “One and Done” Mindset Doesn’t Work

It’s easy to assume that once you find a solution - a supplement, a detox, a hormone dose, or a therapy program - you’re “fixed.”

But life doesn’t pause. Your body and your environment are constantly changing.

Factors like stress, travel, sleep disruption, toxin exposure, and emotional upheaval all affect your wellbeing. And during perimenopause, your hormones fluctuate naturally - meaning what worked last year might not feel right today.

For example:

A hormone dose that felt perfect six months ago could now feel too strong or too weak.
You might complete a gut healing protocol, feel amazing, and then notice bloating or digestive discomfort return after a stressful month or illness.
Emotional challenges - arguments with loved ones, career stress, grief - can trigger physical symptoms, even when all other lifestyle habits are consistent.

This isn’t failure - it’s human life happening.

The Science Behind Hormone Shifts and Setbacks

Understanding why setbacks happen can help us respond with compassion rather than frustration.

During perimenopause:

Estrogen fluctuates unpredictably, affecting mood, sleep, weight, digestion, and energy.
Progesterone goes lower and lower increasing anxiety, irritability, affecting sleep and throwing off our estrogen:progesterone balance.
Cortisol (stress hormone) spikes can trigger bloating, inflammation, or fatigue.
Gut-brain-immune connections mean that emotional stress, travel, or dietary changes can reactivate symptoms, even after a healing protocol.

Put simply: your body is an ever-changing system. It responds to internal and external stressors, and these responses aren’t “failure” - they’re signals guiding you to what your body needs next.

Case Example: The Return of Symptoms

Let’s take a common scenario (name is an alias):

Maria, 51, completed a 12-week gut healing protocol. She adjusted her diet, incorporated stress management, and felt incredible - energy, digestion, and mood were all balanced.

Six months later, she traveled internationally, experienced poor sleep, and was exposed to unfamiliar foods. Suddenly, bloating returned and fatigue crept in.

Maria thought, “I did all the work - why is this happening again?”

In reality, Maria’s body was responding to new stressors - it doesn’t mean that her previous healing was lost. She simply needed to reassess, adjust her habits, and honor her body’s signals.

This is a normal part of the healing journey in perimenopause.

Reframing Progress: Healing as an Ongoing Relationship

Healing isn’t a destination - it’s a process. It’s cyclical, not linear. By adopting a healing mindset in perimenopause, you can:

Expect fluctuations without feeling like you’ve failed.
Use setbacks as feedback rather than judgment.
Respond intelligently to new challenges, knowing that your body adapts continuously.

I’ve lived this myself. Years ago, I focused on healing - clearing my digestion, rebuilding my energy, and feeling resilient. Then mold exposure in our home sent symptoms spiraling again, much worse than before.

Was it frustrating? Absolutely.Did it erase my previous progress? Not at all.It was simply life requiring additional support at that moment.

Practical Tips for Staying Resilient Over Time

So how can you embrace this ongoing approach without feeling overwhelmed? Here are some practical strategies:

Check in with your body regularly: Track symptoms, energy, sleep, and mood to spot patterns early
Adjust your wellness routines: Be willing to modify hormone doses, supplements, or diet as your needs change
Prioritize stress management: Emotional stress has physical consequences. Meditation, gentle movement, and journaling can help
Celebrate progress, not perfection: Even small improvements are worth acknowledging
View setbacks as learning opportunities: Use each flare-up as information for your next steps, rather than a reason to give up

By reframing healing as an ongoing practice, you reclaim control and reduce frustration.

The Power of a Healing Mindset in Perimenopause

Shifting your mindset isn’t just about patience - it’s about understanding the natural rhythm of your body and how life interacts with your health.

A strong healing mindset in perimenopause allows you to:

Maintain resilience through hormonal and lifestyle fluctuations.
Avoid burnout from unrealistic expectations.
Build long-term wellness habits that adapt to your evolving needs.

Remember, your body communicates with you constantly. Symptoms aren’t setbacks - they’re signals. Listening, adjusting, and supporting yourself continuously is the key to sustainable health.

Healing Is a Lifelong Journey

If you’ve experienced setbacks after feeling better, know you’re not alone. Healing is never “finished,” especially in perimenopause. It’s cyclical, evolving, and deeply personal.

Instead of thinking, “If I finish this program, I’ll be done,”

try:

"This helps me now, and I’ll continue adapting as life and my body evolve."

By embracing a healing mindset in perimenopause, you transform frustration into empowerment - and setbacks into learning opportunities.

Your journey isn’t linear. Your wellness isn’t fixed. And that’s okay.

It’s your body, your life, and your ongoing practice of care.