I travelled solo to Tobago shortly after turning 45, at a time when I felt quite stuck in my life. Perimenopause symptoms were creepingly regular, offering broken sleep, sudden irritability and severe anxiety. Midlife didn’t bring clarity, it brought the feeling of isolation.
I never imagined that at this age I would be single, child-free, a carer and without a solid circle of friends. Loneliness kicked in suddenly and it was constantly on my mind. Most of my friends are married with children, their lives full, their priorities understandably elsewhere. I often felt like I was standing just outside the rhythm of other people’s lives, unsure where I fitted in.
