In The Cove would like you to meet another Lane Cove local, Author Sallee Hitchins. Sallee has just released a book called Peri Panic: A Witty Guide to Perimenopause.
You will want to read this article if you are a woman of a certain age!!! The good news is that there is still time to order and receive this book before Christmas. It would make an excellent Secret Santa or Stocking Stuffer. It is also available for Kindle – the perfect book to read if you are going away – read it on the plane or buy a pool with a margarita in hand.
We asked Sallee why she decided to tackle a topic like perimenopause. She told us..
Why I Wrote Peri Panic (and Why I Chose to Laugh Too)
I didn’t set out to write a book about perimenopause.
In fact, I had a break in my contract work and decided to use that time to look further into what was really going on because more than anything, I was struggling, and I didn’t understand why.
I didn’t feel like myself.
My reactions were sharper.
My emotions felt heavier.
My tolerance for everyday nonsense had all but disappeared.
(Let’s say my patience left the building without so much as a goodbye note.)
At the same time, I was watching my gorgeous friends and sisters, strong, capable women, start to act a little… out of character, too. Things were being said that didn’t sound like them. Reactions felt bigger than the moment. Yet, deep down, I knew this wasn’t who we really were.
Then it hit me, this isn’t just them.
It was me too.
I remember thinking, that’s not how she usually speaks.
Then, I realised that’s definitely not how I usually speak either.
So I did what many women do, I went looking for answers.
I’ve spent my entire professional life working across live events, marketing, sponsorships and brand partnerships. I’ve always prided myself on my ability to understand people, how they think, what they need, and to ensure that every brief is not just met, but exceeded, with outcomes that work for everyone involved.
So when something felt this off, personally and collectively, I couldn’t ignore it.
What started as a pause quickly became a deep dive into hormones, perimenopause, menopause and why so many women were quietly struggling without answers. The more I learned, the more one question kept surfacing:
If this is happening to so many women, how can I help? Why aren’t we talking about it more? How are we meant to understand what’s going on, especially when every woman’s experience is different, and we’re all moving through our own version of this quietly and often alone?
The Turning Point
The turning point came when I began listening to women speaking openly about menopause, from Oprah Winfrey through her menopause special, to Naomi Watts, alongside doctors, specialists and advocates. It was like a light finally switched on.
What I had been labelling as “not coping,” “losing patience,” or “turning into someone I didn’t recognise” suddenly had context.
There was science behind it.
There was biology behind it.
Most importantly, there was nothing wrong with me.
Here’s the thing, though, I couldn’t deal with it all being so serious.
Life, even in the middle of hormonal chaos, is meant to be enjoyed. If I was going to get through this stage, I needed laughter just as much as information. I needed to remember who I was underneath the mood swings, brain fog and emotional whiplash and find my way back to that version of me.
Peri Panic was born from that place.
It’s honest, yes. Informative, absolutely. It’s also funny because humour and sisterhood helped me breathe again. It helped me feel human. It reminded me that this stage of life doesn’t have to be something we dread or whisper about. It can be something we navigate with honesty, perspective and connection.
Here’s what I’ve learned along the way:
Through the panic, once you start to understand what’s happening and regain a sense of control, there is so much to look forward to.
Clarity replaces confusion.
Confidence slowly returns.
Instead of feeling like something is being taken away, you begin to realise a new chapter is opening. One where you know yourself better, set stronger boundaries and give yourself far less grief for being human.
I wrote this book for women who feel they’ve lost a little of themselves. For women who are laughing one minute, crying the next and wondering if it’s just them. For anyone who wants reassurance that feeling “off” doesn’t mean you’re broken, it simply means something real is happening inside your body.
This isn’t about minimising the struggle.
It’s about surviving it and eventually thriving without losing yourself.
Life is still meant to be enjoyed.
Once the fog lifts, there’s a lot to be excited about on the other side.
Finally, I want to thank my beautiful friends, the women who shared their stories so openly and honestly and who offered support, humour and understanding when it mattered most. Your courage, vulnerability and generosity are woven through every page of this book. Peri Panic is what it is because of you and I am endlessly grateful.
That’s why I wrote Peri Panic.
Click here to buy the book or download for kindle.
Contact Details
Website: https://peripanic.com/
Instagram: @peripanic/
Facebook: @peripanic
Buy Here: Click here to buy book or download for kindle
