Hijacked & Hormonal – Your Best Fit with Melina’s Newsletter
A newsletter for women 40+ whose brain and body changed midlife
Missed an issue? You’re in the right place.
Hijacked & Hormonal is a biweekly note for women over 40 dealing with things like brain fog, low energy, motivation dips, restless sleep, cravings, and routines that don’t stick the way they used to.
This isn’t a science lecture or a “try harder” pep talk. It’s real-life support, mindset shifts, and small strategies that actually work when your energy, focus, and patience are inconsistent.
Each issue is short, readable, and designed to feel like: “Oh. It’s not just me.”
Want new issues in your inbox?
You can subscribe below.
I send Hijacked & Hormonal every other week to keep it supportive, not overwhelming. No daily emails. No guilt if you miss one.
Just something steady to come back to when life feels loud.
Inside the archive, you’ll find topics like:
• Getting started on days when motivation is missing
• Resetting after you fall off track without spiraling
• Making progress when you’re exhausted and overstimulated
• Letting go of scale drama and all-or-nothing thinking
• Rest, recovery, and redefining strength in midlife
• Food without fear, shame, or perfection
• Building your future “old lady body” one small win at a time
Scroll down to read any issue that catches your eye. There’s no order. Start where you are.
A quick note before you read
You don’t need a diagnosis to relate to this.
You don’t need to “fix” yourself first.
And you don’t need to do everything in every issue.
If one sentence helps, that’s enough.
Subscribe below if you want:
✔ Support without pressure
✔ Tools that work on low-energy days
✔ A voice that understands midlife chaos
✔ Fewer rules, more self-trust
Issue 1: The Day You Don’t Want To
When motivation is missing and you’d rather do literally anything else, this issue helps you take one tiny step forward…no pep talks required.
Issue 2: When Starting Feels Impossible
We tackle the mental clutter of getting started and how to trick your ADHD/perimenopausal brain into motion without the pressure of perfection.
Issue 3: When You Fall Off Track
Life got chaotic and your routine disappeared? Here’s how to stop spiraling and start again with resets that actually work for your real life.
Issue 4: When You’re Tired of Trying
You’re doing “all the right things” and still not seeing progress. This is your reminder that progress includes mindset wins, nervous system calm, and not giving up.
Issue 5: Making Progress When You Can’t Do It All
You’re overwhelmed, exhausted, and juggling too much. This issue helps you see the value in the tiny wins and how to keep moving without the all-or-nothing trap.
Issue 6: When the Scale Lies (And Your Brain Believes It)
The scale went up, and your brain spiraled. This one reminds you how to read data without letting it wreck your day and how to measure what really matters.
Issue 7: When Rest is the Strongest Move
You’re wired to push through, but your body says nope. Learn how to rest with purpose, honor your recovery, and redefine what strength looks like in midlife.
Issue 8: When Motivation is Flaky (But You’re Not)
Motivation isn’t the problem. Your brain just needs a different strategy. This issue breaks down why waiting to “feel ready” keeps you stuck, and how small, consistent actions work better for ADHD, perimenopause, and real life.
Issue 9: Don’t Burn It Down
Some days, the overwhelm hits hard. Parenting, marriage, work, and life collide… and your ADHD brain whispers, “Just quit.” But giving up isn’t the answer. This issue shows how to hit pause, reset, and keep moving forward without burning it all down.
Issue 10: Out of Whack or Right on Track?
Alignment isn’t magic. It’s matching what you do with what you actually value. This issue helps you spot where things feel off (workouts, routines, or life), pick one small tweak that fits you, and use ADHD-friendly tools like body-doubling and timers to keep it real.
Issue 11: Growing Pains or Growing Power?
Growth isn’t shiny. It’s awkward, messy, and often uncomfortable. But that’s where the magic happens. In this issue, I share how stretching outside my comfort zone (hello, first group class practical!) reminded me that growth is about showing up, learning, and building strength for the next round. Plus: a simple tool to help you stretch without snapping.
Issue 12: When The World Feels Too Heavy
If the news, social media, or just…life has been sitting heavy on your chest, this one’s for you. We’re talking about protecting your peace, setting boundaries with your scrolling, and finding strength in small, steady moments.
Issue 13: Building Your Badass Future
Stop waiting for perfect. Show up in the chaos and make tiny, real-life wins for your future body and mind. Strength, energy, and sanity over shiny slogans. Try the Old Lady 401(k) plan and watch steady beat flashy every time.
Issue 14: When Your Inner Critic Gets Loud
Remember Snackwells and “flat abs by Friday”? Yeah, we’re done with that. This issue is your reminder that gentle gets results and your body deserves better than that ‘90s mean-girl voice in your head.
Issue 15: Too Late, My Ass
Think you’ve missed your window to feel strong, focused, and at home in your body? Nah. You’re right on time.
Issue 16: Food Without Fear
Your body doesn’t respond to shame. It responds to safety. When you treat yourself like someone worth caring for, consistency gets easier and your “future old lady body” actually shows up.
Issue 17: You Rock, Yes You
This is all about giving yourself credit, celebrating small wins, and remembering that chaos doesn’t erase your progress. Bonus Gen X moment: “You rock!”…just like Dee Snider reminded me this week.