We’re All Just Doing Our Best — Whatever Stage We’re At

This blog started as one about menopause… but the more I wrote, the more I realised it’s not really just about that. It’s about life. About being human and about how, at every age, we’re all just doing our best to hold it together.

Lately, I’ve been feeling grumpy, overwhelmed, anxious — and some days, just flat. At first, I blamed it all on menopause (and let’s be honest, that’s a fair shout 😅), but in truth, these feelings don’t belong to one age group. They show up for everyone.

Teenagers, twenty-somethings, new mums, men, women, those in their forties, fifties, sixties — we’re all riding our own emotional rollercoaster. Different reasons, same feelings.

Life is busy, the world feels mad, and some days it’s a miracle we’ve managed to shower and find matching socks.

A Weekend Reminder

I recently went away with my girl friends — we’ve known each other since we were 16 — to celebrate one of our 60ths. We had an ABBA theme and were buzzing about it for weeks, imagining glitter, laughter, and dancing all night.

In reality? We were all in bed by 10pm, still in our sparkly outfits, watching Mamma Mia under the duvet with cups of tea. 🎤✨

The next morning was classic midlife chaos: We moaned about hot flushes, aching hips, and how these days, everyone insists on their own bed — when years ago we’d have all squashed into one! We laughed (and moaned) about getting older, but then we realised something important: ageing might not be glamorous but it’s a privilege to get older. Despite the extra weight, wrinkles, or wobbly bits — we’re still here, the same gang. A little creakier & grumpy maybe, but still us. Every line, wrinkle and wobble tells a story — proof that we’ve lived. Before the trip, every single one of us admitted we’d nearly cancelled — anxious, tired, or just not feeling ourselves. Isn’t that mad? We’ve known each other for over forty years, but still, that anxious voice creeps in. The weekend reminded me that connection, laughter, and a little silliness are medicine for the soul and honestly, we had the best time. Walks on the beach, fresh sea air, and long, rambling chats. And our big conclusion? “We were lucky with the weather.”

We could not stop laughing. In our teens, we didn’t even notice the weather. Now it’s headline news. Ageing is hilarious sometimes 😂😂

Younger, Older — It’s All the Same

It’s easy to think that feeling anxious, flat, or lost happens when you hit menopause, but I see the same emotions in my younger clients too.

• My menopausal clients battle hot flushes, anxiety, mood swings, and unpredictable hormones.

• My younger clients battle stress, burnout, overthinking, and trying to find their place in a world that never switches off.

Different stages. Different reasons. Same emotions.

And none of you are alone.

Every single week, younger clients — both male and female — sit in my treatment room and quietly admit things like:

• “I’m overwhelmed.”

• “My anxiety is awful.”

• “My skin is flaring and I feel horrible.”

• “I feel lost.”

• “Everyone seems to be coping except me.

And the truth is: You feel exactly what the person before you felt and the person after you will feel it too. Modern life is ridiculous. The pressure to be perfect. The constant comparison. The expectation to have your life “sorted” by 20.

We live in a world that demands too much from us — to look good, feel good, work hard, stay positive, keep up — it’s exhausting. No wonder our brains and bodies occasionally say, “No thanks, I’m taking a break.”

It’s too much for anyone. Your brain isn’t broken. You’re not weak. You’re not behind. You’re human.

The Skin Always Tells the Story

Our skin often reflects what’s going on underneath. Stress, tiredness, anxiety, hormones — they all show up as breakouts, sensitivity, dullness, dryness, or flare-ups.

That’s why the treatment room isn’t just a space for facials and peels — it’s often a quiet corner of calm. Sometimes we chat, sometimes we laugh, sometimes we just sit in peaceful silence and that’s okay.

Because skincare isn’t only about skin. It’s about helping people feel comfortable in themselves again.

The Real Message

Whether you’re 20 or 60, trying to balance work, family, health, or just life itself — please remember:

✨ You’re not alone

✨ You’re not failing

✨ You’re allowed to feel tired

✨ You’re allowed to rest

✨ You’re allowed to take up space, even when you’re not okay

Some days we sparkle, some days we just survive but both count.

So, this isn’t really a blog about menopause, or skin, or even getting older — it’s a reminder that none of us have it all figured out, and that’s okay.

If you ever need a moment to breathe, chat, or just be — know that you’re always welcome here at Devine Skin, where it’s not just about skin, but about caring for you. 💛