Note 004
Can I share another overthinker observation?
Lately, I’ve noticed something.
Ever since I turned 40, my social media feeds have completely changed.
Suddenly I’m seeing…
“Things no one tells you about turning 40.”
“Signs you’re in perimenopause.”
“Makeup mistakes women over 40 make.”
“Skincare for mature skin.”
“Five things every woman over 40 needs.”
And while some of that information can absolutely be helpful, I’ve also started noticing something else.
Turning 40 has become a content niche.
Now before anyone gets defensive, hear me out.
I’m not saying the creators are wrong.
I’m not saying women don’t experience changes.
We absolutely do.
Our bodies change.
Our hormones change.
Our skin changes.
Life changes.
But here’s what I’ve learned.
Just because you’re 40 doesn’t automatically mean every piece of “over 40” content applies to you.
Every woman’s body is different.
Every woman’s hormones are different.
Every woman’s skin is different.
Every woman’s experience is different.
I’ve even had conversations with women younger than me who are convinced they’re in perimenopause because of something they watched online.
Maybe they are.
Maybe they aren’t.
The point is, social media can sometimes make us believe we’re experiencing things before we’ve even stopped to ask if they’re actually true for us.
I catch myself doing it too.
I’ll watch a video and think,
“Wait… should I be worried about that?”
Then I have to remind myself…
Just because someone is talking about it doesn’t mean it’s my reality.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is to filter what I consume.
Not reject it.
Filter it.
Take what makes sense.
Leave what doesn’t.
If something resonates with you, great.
If it helps you, wonderful.
If it encourages you to ask better questions or have a conversation with your doctor, that’s valuable too.
But don’t let every video convince you something is wrong with you simply because you reached a certain birthday.
Age is not a diagnosis.
And social media is not your personal medical chart.
The older I get, the more I realize that wisdom isn’t believing everything you hear.
Wisdom is learning how to filter it.
So if you’re in your 40s like me, here’s my encouragement.
Learn.
Stay curious.
Take care of yourself.
Ask questions.
But don’t let the algorithm tell you who you are.
You know your body better than a 60-second video ever could.
A Note for Today
Not every piece of content is meant for you. Take what serves you, question what doesn’t, and trust yourself enough to know the difference.
Until the next note,
Your Resident Overthinker
Overthinker’s Notes 