A year ago today, I left my international corporate career  and went home to refocus on 4F’s:  faith, family, friendships and fitness.  Everything continues to be work in progress (especially the fitness bit) but each passing day affirms that not working full time is my new path.  All that said, I could not help but reminisce… it was my life after all for almost 30 years.  So in the spirit of celebrating my Non-Labor Day…. Welcome to the ultimate midlife guessing game!

The rules are simple: I’ll give you a phrase and you guess whether (A) I said it during my corporate career during an absurd business meeting,  OR  (B) I said it because I was having a menopause moment. 

Ready? Let’s play!

1. “I don’t have the time nor patience for this.”

A) The meeting could have been an email, but here we are.
B) Former colleague asking, “You don’t seem to be your usual articulate self?”

Answer: Both. Always both.

2. “I’m sorry, what are we talking about?”

A) A PowerPoint presentation so dull, your brain auto-exited the meeting.
B) Brain fog just stole your entire train of thought mid-sentence.

Answer: If you’re nodding like you understand but have no clue what’s happening, it’s definitely corporate.

3. “Is this going somewhere, or is this how you make your point?”

A) Someone is explaining a simple concept in the most complicated way possible.
B) You’ve been awake since 3 AM, waiting for your body to decide if it wants to sleep.

Answer: If there’s pointless rambling involved, it’s corporate. If there’s pointless suffering involved, it’s menopause.

4. “Is it hot in here or is it just me?”

A) A brainstorming session involving Post-Its just got heated.
B) Eating out in a restaurant where your table is beside the AC at full blast.

Answer: If you said it to diffuse the tension, it’s corporate.  If the rest of your party are wearing layers, it’s you.

5. “Let’s just agree to disagree.”

A) A passive-aggressive way to end a circular discussion.
B) The only way to keep friendships intact when hormones turn you into a truth bomb.

Answer: If someone says “synergy” right after, it’s corporate. If someone suggests you “just chill,” it’s menopause.

6. “I don’t care how we do it—just get it done.”

A) The project deadline is tomorrow, and you’re out of energy to tell people what to do.
B) You just want the pharmacist to give you the estrogen patches you ordered.

Answer: If there’s finger pointing involved, it’s corporate. If there’s begging involved, it’s menopause (or more likely, still corporate). 

7. “I’m going to need caffeine to get through this.”

A) The pre-business plan meeting survival strategy.
B) The post-workout-to- manage -the- joint- pain recovery plan.

Answer: If it’s before noon, it’s corporate. If it’s after noon, always corporate. 

8. “If it’s not urgent, I’m ignoring it.”

A) Too many emails, too little time.
B) Too many symptoms, too little patience.

Answer: If it’s a Teams notification, it’s corporate. If it’s unsolicited menopause advice, it’s ignored on principle.

9. “I’m not angry but I am disappointed.”

A) Your feedback is direct, and now everyone is uncomfortable.
B) Your estrogen levels just plummeted, and now you’re uncomfortable.

Answer: If you feel like flipping a table but don’t, it’s corporate. If you actually flip the table (mentally or physically), it’s menopause.

10. “I need to step away before I say something I regret.”

A) The meeting is dragging, and you’re dangerously close to saying what you really think.
B) Someone just suggested that when it comes to menopause, “You should just grin and bear it.”

Answer: If there’s a risk of violating HR policy, it’s corporate. If there’s a risk of committing a felony, it’s menopause.

Final Score:

• 0-3 Correct: You’re too young for this.
• 4-7 Correct: You’ve spent enough time in meetings and menopause to know the struggle.
• 8-10 Correct: Congratulations! You’re officially done with nonsense.

How did you score in our little game? The truth is, sometimes the lines between corporate jargon and a hormonal haze can get blurry. Whether it’s trying to decipher a strategic pivot or trying to remember why you walked into a room, these moments remind us that life, in all its stages, can be wonderfully absurd. Beyond faith, family, friends, and fitness, there’s always room for fun.