Have you ever had one of those days where everything feels just a little too much?

You’re holding it together… until you’re not.

Maybe it’s a sharp tone with your partner over something small. Maybe it’s tears that sneak up on you for no clear reason. Or that haunting thought:What is happening to me? Why am I like this?

If you’ve been feeling more emotionally on edge lately and you’re somewhere between 30 and 60 please hear this:

You’re not broken. You’re not crazy. And you’re definitely not alone.

Listen to this full episode above or on Apple or Spotify.

There’s a reason this is happening. Actually, there are several. And when you understand what’s really going on in your body, it’s not only validating, it’s empowering.

In this blog, we’re going to break down three major root causes of emotional shifts during midlife. These hidden culprits can leave even the most grounded women feeling anxious, reactive, or overwhelmed. And more importantly? They’re not your fault. But you do deserve to know what’s going on.

Why You’re Feeling Off: It’s Not Just “Stress”

Let’s start here: If you've been dismissed, offered an antidepressant without a deeper conversation, or told to “just breathe,” I want you to know that there's more going on.

Inside your body, especially in midlife, there's often a quiet chaos brewing. And for many of us, it begins around our late 30s or early 40s, even if we don’t realize it at first.

You might still look fine “on paper.” Your labs may come back normal. But something feels… different.

I’ve been there.

As a functional nutrition counselor, nurse, life coach, and yoga teacher, I’ve spent the last decade helping women find calm, clarity, and wellness. But around age 38, I started noticing something changing in myself. The calm I used to be able to access so easily? It felt harder to hold onto. The tools that used to be “nice-to-haves” (like journaling, walking, or meditating) became non-negotiables, just to feel okay.

That shift was a wake-up call. And I’ve since discovered that many women in midlife are quietly feeling the same.

So, What’s Really Going On?

It's important to note that there is NEVER one root to anything. There are always myriad reasons why things feel off or symptoms appear. Here are three of the most common (and overlooked) possible root causes of emotional upheaval in women 35+.

1. Cortisol Overload: The Nervous System Is Maxed Out

Cortisol is your primary stress hormone. It’s designed to help you survive acute stress, like slamming the brakes to avoid an accident. But when stress becomes chronic, whether emotional, physical, or internal (like inflammation or poor sleep), your body shifts into survival mode.

This creates a cascade effect:

- Calming hormones shut down

- Your digestion slows

- Your body prioritizes “getting through it” rather than thriving

You might feel wired but tired, irritable, anxious, or emotionally fragile.

This isn’t about being sensitive. It’s about a nervous system that’s been in overdrive for too long.

And let me say this: We are not meant to wake up and instantly hit the ground running. This is exhausting your system before the day even begins. I’ve lived it and I see it every day in my clients.

The pace we’ve normalized in our culture isn’t sustainable. It’s showing up in our emotional health. And it’s time we collectively opt out.

2. Blood Sugar Swings: The Mood-Stability Saboteur

Even if you “eat healthy,” there’s a chance your blood sugar is crashing behind the scenes.

Here’s what can throw it off:

- Skipping meals

- Excess caffeine

- Not enough protein or fiber

When blood sugar drops, your body sees it as a threat and releases more cortisol and adrenaline.

Suddenly, you’re not just hungry. You’re anxious. Irritable. Foggy. Maybe even panicky.

Balancing your blood sugar is one of the fastest and most powerful ways to stabilize mood. It’s something we can start adjusting today, and it’s often the missing link in emotional well-being.

3. Hormone Fluctuations: The Midlife Rollercoaster

Contrary to what we’ve been told, our hormones don’t simply “wind down” as we age. They fluctuate.

Estrogen and progesterone, two of your most important hormones for emotional balance (and so many other things) affect your brain chemistry. Estrogen influences serotonin and GABA (your feel-good and calming neurotransmitters), and progesterone acts like nature’s chill pill.

When these hormones start fluctuating in perimenopause (which can begin as early as 35), it’s no wonder you feel emotionally unpredictable.

If you’ve ever watched a tween or teen girl navigate puberty, you’ve seen what hormone swings look like. But what’s often overlooked is that midlife hormonal changes can feel just as intense yet we’re expected to keep pushing through without support or even understanding what’s happening.

You’re Not “Too Much.” You’re Getting Messages From Your Body.

If you’ve ever been told to “just meditate,” “just be grateful,” or “just take something,” I want to invite you into a deeper conversation.

Because what’s happening in your body is not a personality flaw. It’s not weakness.

It’s communication.

Your symptoms, your anxiety, your exhaustion, your reactivity, are not random.

They’re signals. And when we learn how to listen, we can find the path to real, lasting relief.

What’s Next: Your Invitation to Deeper Understanding and Real Tools

If you’ve been nodding along and thinking, Why has no one explained this to me before?, I’ve created something just for you.

It’s a 90-minute workshop called: The Real Reason Mood Swings & Anxiety Spike in Perimenopause And How to Regulate Naturally.

Inside, I’ll walk you through the full picture of what’s going on in your body: nervous system, hormones, gut, and more and how to support yourself with real tools that don’t involve rigid protocols or guessing games.

I’ll include:

- A live nervous system reset

- Symptom mapping so you can connect your experience to root causes

- Tools you can start using immediately

- A space where you’re understood, not dismissed

You’ll walk away with clarity, relief, and the confidence to make empowered choices for your body and mind.

👉https://rachelcartarn.com/workshop(or join the waitlist if you’re reading this after the date).

One Last Thing…

You’re not failing.

You’re adapting.

Your body is wise. Your emotions are messengers. And you're not alone on this journey.

Whether you join the workshop or not, I want you to take this message with you:

Relief is possible. Self-trust is possible. And even in the midst of hormone chaos or nervous system overload, it is still possible to feel vibrant, grounded, and whole.

Let’s stop second-guessing ourselves.

Let’s stop surviving and start understanding.

Let’s reclaim our calm.

Lots of love,

Rachel