The Stages of Womanhood: No One Prepares You for What Comes After “Mother”
We’ve all heard it... Maiden, Mother, Crone.
But let’s be honest, no one really prepares you for what happens between “Mother” and “Crone.” The transitions, the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) changes in your body, energy, and emotions. It can feel like being initiated into a whole new version of womanhood, with no guidebook in sight.
I’m 42 now, and I can confidently say I’m entering the Crone stage, though I prefer to call it the Wise Woman Era. Over the past year, my body has been shifting in ways that caught me by surprise. I remember mentioning to a relative that I thought I might be experiencing perimenopause, and they laughed and said, “No way!” But after doing my own research (and following a few of my favorite IG perimenopause gurus), I realized, yes, it’s happening.
And guess what? It has actually been a beautiful process of rediscovery.
The Awakening
Once I started paying attention to my body’s cues, I realized I needed to up the ante on the wellness practices I already lived by. Too little of anything, movement, minerals, rest, wasn’t cutting it anymore.
Here’s what’s been working for me:
More animal protein to keep my hormones and energy balanced
8–10k steps a day at minimum (non-negotiable)
Minerals (Celtic sea salt) added to the 90 oz of water I drink daily
Consistent B-12 and collagen supplementation +more
Early mornings — I now wake up at 5:45 am and walk 3 miles before anyone in my house wakes up
This soft version of “75 Hard” has been life-changing. For over a decade, I’ve wanted to make early morning walks a ritual, and now it’s part of my rhythm. There’s something magical about that pre-dawn stillness. The quiet hum of life before the world wakes up. Turns out, there are so many people already walking and running at that hour and it’s oddly comforting, a little secret community of morning warriors.
Perimenopause Is Real and Normal
Let’s say it louder for the people in the back: Perimenopause is real.
And it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Our bodies are brilliantly recalibrating. We’re not “losing” anything. We are transforming.
If you’re here too, noticing changes in mood, sleep, energy, or cycles, please know you’re not alone. There’s no single roadmap, but there’s a deep power in sharing what’s working, staying curious, and tuning into your body’s innate wisdom.
I’ve also been hearing incredible things about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) — have you tried it? What was your experience? I’d genuinely love to hear your stories and advice in the comments below.
This next stage of womanhood feels like an invitation to slow down, to listen deeper, and to nurture ourselves on an entirely new level. Life, as always, is a work in progress. But I feel better than ever! Grounded, radiant, and open to the continued unfolding of this journey.
Talk soon,
Cassandra xo
