Blame It on the Full Moon 🌝

Hi friend,

If you’re new here, welcome to Girlhood, the group chat we should have had all along — where we talk openly about our bodies, the questions we whisper about, and the everyday moments that make us pause, laugh, or rethink life. It’s everything you’re feeling, but didn’t know how to say. Now let’s dive in.

Apparently last week was a full moon, and suddenly everything makes sense. My ADHD was already running wild (see: previous entry), my period arrived out of nowhere, my mother-in-law had surgery, the kids were still adjusting to their new school, and we had to pack up our family of five to visit relatives a few states away. It was… a lot.

It’s funny how we can be completely unraveling one minute and then our period starts, and we’re like, oh, okay. Suddenly all the chaos has an explanation. Except this time, it was that moment multiplied by a thousand. The full moon energy made everything feel louder, heavier, more emotional. (Costar was not kidding when it warned me my lunar phase would be intense.)

As a Pisces, I feel everything a little too deeply on a normal day, but last week it felt like the moon had me on a string. My moods, my energy, and my sleep were all over the place. It was like the universe had turned the volume up on everything, and I was stuck listening.

I’m still not fully recovered, honestly. But I’m trying to give myself grace — to remember that sometimes everything just collides at once, and all we can do is the best we can with what we’ve got. It’s messy, unhinged, exhausting, and yet somehow… still manageable with the right amount of humor and patience.

Here’s to softer weeks ahead. And a little wisdom from the late Diane Keaton to carry with me: "Choosing the freedom to be uninteresting never quite worked for me."

🔍 Ask Clara: How can I manage hormonal mood swings (without losing my mind)?

🧽 Breathing Through the Cleaning Frenzy

Does anyone else spend way too long staring at their shampoo and cleaning products, squinting at labels like they’re decoding ancient hieroglyphics? “Paraben-free! Sulfate-free! Fragrance-free… wait, not fragrance-free?” It's exhausting. If you’ve ever felt like buying “safe” household products is a full-time job, trust me, you’re not imagining it.

Here’s the kicker: a 20-year study found women who regularly used cleaning sprays lost lung function comparable to smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years. Men? Not so much. Those little bottles of scented spray can quite literally take your breath away over time. Scientists suspect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fragrances — chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and can irritate your lungs and airways — are the main culprits.

So how do you keep a home clean without turning it into a chemically “safe” fortress? I personally stick with Branch Basics — plant- and mineral-based, biodegradable, and fragrance-free. Once a month, I tackle a deep clean with the “good stuff,” and yes, my lungs notice. The key is reading beyond the marketing: “paraben-free” doesn’t mean “fragrance-free,” and “natural” doesn’t automatically equal safe. Fragrance-free or low-VOC formulas are your friends, and a HEPA air purifier helps too, reducing VOCs and supporting lung health.

We shouldn’t have to choose between a sparkling home and healthy lungs. Start by swapping one high-use spray for a safer option, and make fragrance-free your default. Small, deliberate changes add up, and your lungs will thank you later.

🔍 Ask Clara: What are some "clean" household products I can feel good about?

👭 Winning the Sister-in-Law Jackpot

This weekend, we visited my sister-in-law, and honestly… I think I hit the jackpot. She had my kids’ favorite snacks ready before they asked, let them make a mess (even though she’s the ultimate Type-A to my Type-B tendencies), and somehow kept her cool through all of it.

Was she overstimulated by the end? Absolutely. But here’s the magic: she could tell us honestly, without drama, because we’re that close. That kind of relationship is rare. Someone who can handle the chaos, be present for the fun, and still tell you when it’s a lot? Pure gold.

We laughed over our kids’ shenanigans, swapped stories about our bash-brother husbands, and somehow ended up on the couch debating clothing rental options (I’m a Nuuly fan, she’s a Fashion Pass girlie). And it hit me: friendship in your 30s isn’t just about shared hobbies or easy laughs. It’s about people who see the chaos without rolling their eyes and make life feel lighter just by being there.

In a generation that’s chronically online, connection like this feels even more precious. Being fully seen and heard in real life is rare, and it’s the kind of thing that actually makes life richer.

So, cherish the people who can handle your messy, loud, slightly chaotic life, and let yourself be that person for someone else, too.

🔍 Ask Clara: How do close friendships impact our emotional and physical well-being?

🥵 Menopause: Puberty’s Older, Moodier Sister

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s ahead: menopause feels like this mysterious next chapter everyone whispers about but no one fully explains. I’m not there yet, but as someone who writes about women’s health for a living, I can’t help noticing friends saying things like, “Why am I suddenly waking up drenched in sweat?” or “When did my metabolism just vanish?” It’s like puberty’s older, moodier sister has officially entered the group chat.

Turns out, they’re not imagining it. New research from ZOE (the largest study on menopause and nutrition to date!), paints menopause as a full-body plot twist. Post-menopausal women tend to have higher blood sugar, blood pressure, and body fat, along with worse sleep and stronger sugar cravings. In other words, it’s not just you — your metabolism really does change.

Here’s the practical part: while declining estrogen impacts how our bodies process glucose and store fat, there are ways to work with it. Women who focus on gut health (think fiber, whole grains, veggies, and fermented foods) saw better blood sugar and inflammation markers. Those using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) also fared better, with healthier blood fats and less belly fat. Small shifts, both on your plate and in your self-care, really do add up.

So if your jeans feel snug, your sweet tooth is raging, and your sleep is off, take a breath. You’re not “failing at wellness.” Your biology is evolving, and you can evolve with it.

xo,
Kristyn

🔍 Ask Clara: How can you support your metabolism as you head toward menopause?