Thoughts Lately

This post is all about the things that have saved my sanity through five straight weeks of volleyball tournaments broken up by a weekend storm of "snowcrete" that felt like it would never thaw. *It's still melting!

First, the backstory. Let me say that winter is always tough for me, but usually when we get snow around here, it doesn't last long. This stuff has really stuck around, though, thanks to weeks of temps in arctic territory. And since we are sans a garage, it has meant a lot of shoveling, salting, shoveling, re-salting, etc., and trying to heal constant cracks in my hands.

I've also said a prayer every time the girls have walked to the bus stop (when school hasn't been canceled) that nobody would end up in the ER again. Gwen is still in PT for her hip after all. Today's session was an hour and 45 minutes long.

While winter has been wintering, perimenopause has been perimenopausing with fun stuff like 0-10 irritability in a second; every once in a while, crazy bloating and digestive issues; plus difficulty falling asleep/staying asleep during our hotel stays. Then, mix in volleyball games that run past midnight one weekend and then require report times before 7 a.m. the following two.

But that's not enough. Add a car that wouldn't start one frigid 5-degree morning when heading from the hotel to go watch Izzy's latest match. Then throw in a few more migraine attacks than usual, and you'll see why it was good I made the decision to transition out of my managing editor (articles team) role at Migraine World Summit at the beginning of this year.

Not only have I been exhausted, but my schedule has become super hectic and is ever-changing. What's more, a lot of tourneys have had us traveling on Fridays and getting back late on Sundays or holiday Mondays. There is a lot of catching up to be done; I start the week already feeling behind.

Leaving my Summit role was a difficult decision. I love the organization (can't wait for the next Summit, March 11-18). I love my team of writers. I will miss everyone and the purpose-filled work, but when I saw how my schedule would be picking up, I didn't want to give my team a leader who was only half there. And, most importantly, I wanted to be less stressed around my family, who mean everything to me.

Basically, I'm trying to do whatever I can to make sure that I take care of myself a little bit better so I can continue taking care of everyone else. And I'm finding joy even on the hardest days. Here's how I'm doing that:

1. I'm soaking up every second of watching Izzy play the sport she has come to adore. And I'm savoring all the one-on-one time we have in the car singing along to Morgan Wallen and during our late-night breakfast planning/shopping runs. That's core memory stuff for this mama.

It's been super cool to see her make such great new friends, have such excellent coaches, and to see their combined improvement. They medaled at tourneys the last two weekends—silver, then gold! When Izzy has a big block, and then pride fills her face, it's all worth it and then some. I am so proud of Izzy and her team!

2. I'm finding comfort in Gwen's PT, knowing that it's helping her get her strength and stability where they need to be to avoid injury in the spring soccer season, and potentially during a short spring stint of volleyball. She's trying out for that soon. I can't wait to see her back on the field and court!

3. I made an appointment with Alloy to get help with all my peri symptoms. Fingers crossed! I'm excited to try new options that local doctors wouldn't discuss because I'm "complicated."

4. I'm doing everything I can to ensure I get the sleep, food and exercise that make me the calmest and happiest version of myself. Whether it's sitting next to my Happy Light in the AM, going for a walk with ice spikes on my sneakers, or listening to ocean sounds in hotel rooms, I'm committed. I've also stopped feeling guilty about watching YouTube or chatting on the phone while cycling instead of always feeling like I have to do a HIIT ride.

5. I've been reading the Bible devotional app that Gwen added to my phone when the news is particularly discouraging or I am feeling anxious.

6. I've been reading more heartwarming romance books and enjoying watching a show or two with Matt. And there's always "Love is Blind" and other guilty pleasures for once he falls asleep.

7. I've discovered some INCREDIBLE new beauty finds that have changed my routine for the better. More on those in my next post. They are soooo good!

8. Meeting a bunch of new parents and all that team bonding can be very intimidating for this introvert, but I have met some truly wonderful people who have been so helpful and welcoming to this newbie. I'm so thankful for them. Making new friends as an adult can be hard; thank goodness some people make it easy. Also, I've been reminded that not everyone is always constantly up for socializing 24/7, and we're still human.

9. I'm thankful that I can call my mom or talk to one of my longtime friends and feel like everything will always be more than OK ... and be reminded that spring and summer—sandals and sundresses!—will come again. And all the small stuff is just that, small stuff.

10. And on the craziest weeks, I remember that this will all go by in a flash ... eventually I will have too much time on my hands. I am so not ready for that.

Here's hoping I will feel more like my usual self with a little more estrogen back on board. For anyone who has faced a bit of a wacko start to 2026, onward and upward for all of us!

#9, that's my girl!

-Natalie Kaar