Stuck in the Middle (Age) With You

There are mornings I wake up to the sound of my teenager stomping down the stairs in a mood, my phone already lighting up with messages from my mum needing help with an appointment—and somewhere between the kettle boiling and a forgotten school form, I wonder: How did I get here?

Here, in the middle.

Not young, not old. Not new to motherhood, but not quite finished with it either. Not a child, not yet caring full-time for my parents—but feeling the pull from both ends like a frayed rope. I call it emotional limbo. Or the “middle-age sandwich.” Whatever you name it, it’s exhausting.

We’re the ones managing the family WhatsApp groups and the GP appointments. The ones booking orthodontist consultations while secretly googling perimenopause symptoms. We’re showing up to work, keeping homes running, supporting friends, managing our partners’ moods, and trying not to lose ourselves completely in the mix.

Nobody warned us about this season. About the quiet heartbreak of watching your parents age, while your children start needing you less—but not always kindly. Nobody mentioned that midlife can feel like a second adolescence—except this time, with bills, back pain, and brain fog.

And yet, here we are. A tribe of women in the messy middle, walking around with emotional toolkits we built from scratch. Still loving. Still showing up. Still trying.

Lately, I’ve been learning the power of naming what I’m feeling. Saying out loud, “I’m worn out,” or “I need a break,” or simply, “Today was too much.” These small acts of self-honesty have opened up little pockets of peace in my week. I’ve swapped pushing through for checking in. I no longer wear burnout as a badge of honour. I light a candle—not just to create a nice vibe, but as a ritual to mark the end of a hard day. I journal. I take five minutes to breathe. And when I can, I rest without guilt.

How I Unwind

• When the stress starts to simmer and the anxiety gets loud, Music is my first port of call. It’s my personal reset button. I have a playlist of my favourite chill songs—some soft acoustic, some instrumental, a few oldies that feel like comfort food for the soul. I pop on my sleep mask, close my eyes, and let the music do what it does best: slow down the constant noise in my head. There’s something so powerful about blocking out the visual world and just listening. Honestly, if you suffer with headaches like I do, a good sleep mask is a game-changer. They're not just for night-time—they’re my go-to for those rare and sacred afternoon naps (if the stars align and you actually get one!).

• Reclaiming the Evenings. A small shift that’s made a big difference to my peace of mind is putting my phone away in the evening—and not picking it up again until the next morning. Now, I don’t mean you can’t glance at a message or check in on the kids’ group chat. Life still happens. But I’m talking about the mindless scrolling, the rabbit holes, the doom loops we fall into when we’re too drained to deal with ourselves. That kind of screen time isn’t rest—it’s just a distraction disguised as downtime. I’ve started calling myself out gently when I reach for my phone out of habit rather than purpose. Most nights, I put it on silent mode, light a candle, and do something that actually fills me up instead of numbing me out. I sleep very well too.

• The Power of a Slow Shower. There's something almost sacred about an evening shower when you’re not rushing. It’s such a simple thing, but when there’s no clock ticking, no guilt creeping in because you’re already ten minutes late, it becomes more than just getting clean—it becomes a ritual. I’ve started carving out 40 full minutes some evenings just for me: a hot shower, followed by time to moisturise slowly, maybe even do a bit of fake tan if I feel like it. It’s not about looking good for anyone else—it’s about feeling good in my own skin. That time is mine, and I protect it like I would a meeting or a promise. Because it is a promise—to myself.

• Why Balance Resonates. One of my favourite ways to unwind, especially in the mornings, is by using the Balance app — a beautifully designed meditation tool that helps me ease into the day with calm and clarity. What I love most is its birdsong soundscape, which I play every single morning without fail. There’s something about the gentle chirping that instantly grounds me; it feels like opening a window to peace before the day begins. The app itself is simple and structured, offering a personalised experience without the overwhelm of too many choices. Whether it’s a short guided meditation, ocean waves before bed, or the sound of a quiet stream mid-afternoon, Balance supports my nervous system and helps me feel centred. It’s become a quiet but powerful ritual in my daily life — one that reconnects me to nature, even on the busiest days.

For Eden Gifts, it’s no longer just about pretty things to gift others—it’s about creating soft landings for women like us. About turning everyday moments into micro-rituals that bring us back to ourselves. The new wellness range is coming and being built with you in mind. Because I see you. I am you.

If you’re stuck in the middle, just know you’re not alone. There’s strength here. There’s sisterhood. And there’s also space—for healing, softness, and joy—even in the chaos.

We’ve got this. Together.

With love,Rachael x