I have this habit that when I'm sitting at the lights in traffic, I like to glance into my rear vision mirror and study the people in the car behind me. A fleeting peek into someone else's life. I make up little stories about who they might be, what they do, whether they're happy and, if there's more than one person in the car, how they're connected.

My favourite moment to witness is when someone is on their own, singing at the top of their lungs — completely unselfconscious, as though no one is watching. Except that I am. Bonus points if there's a bit of enthusiastic seat-dancing involved. Those people always make me smile, and I remind myself of them when I'm alone in the car and feel like belting out a bit of Rihanna. I like to think I might be making someone else's day, too.

But on a recent school drop-off morning, I looked up and saw something very different. A woman — maybe in her 50s, maybe not — sat behind the wheel, clearly overwhelmed. A teenager sat beside her, head down, absorbed in his phone, while she appeared to be mid-spiral over something I couldn't hear. At one point, she pulled down her sun visor, caught sight of herself in the mirror and wiped her face.

I knew absolutely nothing about what was going on in that car. For all I knew, she could have been yelling at talkback radio or reacting to last night's episode of Married at First Sight. But what struck me was how exhausted she looked. What I really wanted to do was get out of my car and give her a hug.

Moments like that are a reminder of how much we carry — especially in midlife — and how often it spills out in unexpected ways. There's a lot happening beneath the surface during this stage of life, physically, emotionally and mentally, and it can feel relentless at times.

For me, menopause was… a lot. Not just the symptoms, but the sense that my body was changing the rules without consulting me first. I learned pretty quickly that getting through it required a kind of personal survival kit — small things that helped steady me when everything felt slightly off-kilter.

So, here are a few of the things that helped me.

Home should be your sanctuary.

They say home is where the heart is, but I'd add this: home is where you need to feel most comfortable when your hormones are doing whatever they like. You can't control fluctuating hormones, but you can control the space you move through every day.

Sleep, in particular, impacts everything — mood, health, immunity, memory and stress levels, to name just a few. Good sleep isn't optional, and anything that helps facilitate it is a win. There's nothing quite like slipping into bed and between soft, cool sheets. I'm fairly certain that's why hotel rooms feel so good.

You can recreate that same hotel feeling at home with the Ramesses 2000 Thread Count Bamboo Blend Sheet Sets. Lightweight, breathable and naturally hypoallergenic with antibacterial properties, these bamboo fibre sheets are a must for night sweats. Add the Bas Phillips Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow and it lights out. Designed to support healthy spine alignment, its woven cover increases airflow to help keep your head cool.

Staying hydrated doesn't have to feel like a chore.

If I don't have a decent water bottle in easy reach, my water intake suffers. It's a bit of an out of mind, out of sight thing. Menopausal or not, hydration is super important and, personally, the amount of water I drink — or don't drink — has a direct impact on my brain fog.

Not all water bottles are created equal though. I want something sleek and drip free. No one wants to look like a toddler using a sippy cup for the first time. The Avanti Hydroultra Vacuum Water Bottle that you can pick up at Harris Scarfe fits the bill. At 750 millilitres, it's the perfect size to track your intake. The double wall vacuum keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and the range of colours are pretty, so it looks nice sitting on my desk at work.

Talk out your rage.

One of my closest friends recently told me about a conversation she had with a work colleague. They were discussing a particular work issue, and my friend was told she was being "too nice." She was baffled. "How can I be too nice," she asked, "when all I feel is angry all the time?"

This really highlights an aspect of menopause we don't often talk about. Everyone knows about the hot flushes, but the seething, simmering rage that many women experience often comes as a surprise. It's a side effect of the hormonal roller coaster we've been gifted.

That's why talking to friends about how we're feeling is so important. Knowing someone else is going through something similar can be incredibly comforting.

Nourish yourself with self-care.

Prioritising sleep, keeping hydrated and having a home with a few affordable luxuries can go a long way to help recharge and reset. For me, a calm home acts as a buffer, giving me the chance to unwind.

Adding small, intentional acts of self-care — like a hot shower, a nourishing meal, a few minutes with a good book or even just lighting a favourite candle — reinforces that sense of calm. It's not about indulgence; it's about giving your body and mind the little moments you need to feel supported, grounded and ready to face the day again.

Explore the range at Harris Scarfe .

Featured image: Supplied.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Harris Scarfe

Life has a way of getting wonderfully messy — it shifts, surprises and fills up quickly. That's where Harris Scarfe fits seamlessly into the everyday.

Bringing together practical essentials and Great Brands at Great Prices, Harris Scarfe makes it easier to stay on top of life's moving parts. From kitchen appliances and cookware that streamline mealtimes, to quality bedding, plush towels and homewares that refresh your space, everything is designed to help you feel prepared — without the stress.

Because when life keeps moving, your home should feel one step ahead.

Now more than ever, life needs Harris Scarfe.