Caring for your mind/sanity (With PMDD)

By Oksana George

All happiness over here

Introduction

For years—and I mean years—I battled something I didn’t even have a name for. PMDD hit me like a storm every month. I’d feel like a completely different person, drowning in anxiety, depression, and intense paranoia. The mood swings? Brutal. And the worst part was not knowing what was going on with me.

If you’re reading this and you’re struggling with PMDD, I want you to know this: you are not alone. This condition is real. It’s overwhelming. It can mess with your job, your relationships, your sense of self—everything. But I’m here to remind you: your pain is valid, and you’re not crazy. There is a name for what you’re going through, and there are ways to start reclaiming your peace.

My personal struggles before I knew I had PMDD

Whew—where do I even start? Before I knew PMDD was a thing, my life was basically a dumpster fire with glitter on it. From friendships to jobs to my marriage—everything felt like it was constantly falling apart, and I had no idea why. Let’s start with friendships. I mean, bless my past friends, but most of those relationships barely lasted a month. Seriously. I was like a limited-time offer. Looking back, it’s kinda embarrassing… but also, I get it. I wasn’t okay. I was moody, anxious, and completely unpredictable—and I didn’t know how to explain any of it.

Then there were the jobs. Ah yes, the “job hopper” era. (Don’t judge me—I know, I know.) I either got hit with the classic “we just don’t need you anymore” (aka just say you don’t like my energy and go) or I quit before they could fire me. I was scared to be honest about needing mental health days because I didn’t want to look weak or dramatic. But deep down, I knew if I kept showing up the way I was, they’d eventually let me go.

So I would spiral, panic, and quit before they got the chance. It was survival mode 24/7. And then… there’s marriage. My husband and I? We were solid—until we weren’t. Things started to unravel, but we had no clue what was actually going on. I didn’t know when the next explosion was coming, only that I was the one carrying the fuse. I was walking around like a ticking time bomb, hoping no one would light the match. And spoiler alert: I lit it myself, more than once. At one point, it wasn’t even about whether my husband was done with me—I was almost done with him. I wanted to run, disappear, erase everything and start over.

There were days when I was terrified to be alone because I didn’t trust my own mind. I’ve had moments where I thought, yep, this is it, and ended up on what I lovingly now call a “grippy sock vacation.” (If you know, you know.) It was brutal. The spirals, the negative thoughts, the complete loss of control—it felt like my brain had been hijacked. And no matter how hard I tried to fight it, it just wouldn’t stop. If you’re reading this and nodding along—if any of this feels painfully familiar—I need you to know you are not crazy, you are not broken, and you are definitely not alone. Keep reading, because I’m going to tell you how I started turning my life around. And not with toxic positivity or quick fixes—the real way.

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What I did to turn my life around: PART I Therapy, the day I decided I was tired of my own bullshit.

Let’s talk about where this healing thing really started for me. The very first thing I did when I hit rock bottom—and I mean, rock-bottom-ugly-crying-on-the-bathroom-floor kind of low—was grab my phone and Google “therapists near me.” Yup. That was it. That was the beginning. Honestly, I don’t know if it was God, the universe, or just me finally getting fed up with my own chaos, but something in me said, “Girl. You need help. Like, real help.” So I listened. And I took that first baby step—therapy. And listen… if you’re thinking of doing the same thing, let me warn you right now: therapy is not just sitting on a couch and spilling your feelings while someone nods and hands you tissues. Oh no. It’s a full-blown emotional roller coaster. With loops. And drops. And occasional screaming.

So yeah—you have to actually want the help. You have to be ready to get uncomfortable. Because healing? It’s cute in theory, but in practice? Whew. It’s a lot. But hear me out—it was the best decision I ever made. My therapist? I love her. Like, truly. She does not just sit there nodding and asking, “And how does that make you feel?” Nah. She challenges me. She calls me out (respectfully). She holds up the mirror and says, “Hey, maybe you were the problem this time.” And you know what? Sometimes… she’s right. I had to face the hard truth that I was walking around like a human landmine—moody, reactive, ready to explode at any second. But thanks to therapy, I’ve learned how to not light that match anymore.

I’ve got tools now. Emotional regulation. Coping skills. Boundaries. A whole toolbox, baby. So, moral of the story? Therapy is the place to start. Not Instagram quotes. Not hot girl walks (although those help too). But actual, real, dig-into-your-soul therapy. One hour a week, talking to a trained adult who can actually help guide you through the storm—the right way.

Part II: Challenging Myself to Become the Better Version of Me (Even When I Didn’t Feel Like It)

Whew. Let me tell you something—this next part of the journey? Was not easy. But if you’ve read my first post, then you already know: I did the damn thing. I showed up. I worked my butt off. Not to be perfect (because let’s be real, that’s impossible), but to become a better, healthier version of me. And spoiler alert: that doesn’t happen overnight. Like… at all. So we covered therapy. What came next? One word: routine. Yep. I said it—routine and structure, baby. Because if I didn’t have a plan, my brain would run wild and IT DID. And not in a cute, whimsical way. I mean full-blown anxiety spirals, overthinking everything, comparing myself to everyone, and stressing about stuff that honestly did not matter. And if you’re a mom? Oh girl, you already know—those babies need structure too. But let’s be real: I didn’t even have one for myself at first.

I’d wake up with no plan, no direction, and all that unstructured time? It gave my PMDD the perfect playground to wreak havoc in my head. So one day, I said, “You know what? Enough.” I grabbed a pen (okay, probably my Notes app), and I started creating a daily routine. Not to avoid life, but to reclaim it. I needed something that would keep me grounded, focused, and out of my own head. And you know what? It changed everything. I kept it simple: wake up, move my body, eat meals like a grown-up, spend time with my kids, actually do stuff I wanted to do instead of obsessing over what everyone else was doing. I made myself a full schedule—4 AM to 9 PM. (I know, that’s early. I’m not saying you have to be a sunrise goddess like me. But I will say—waking up before the world? Magical. Peaceful. Feels like I’m stealing back time for myself. Don’t worry—I sneak a nap when I can.) And 9 PM? That’s the shutdown time. We’re done. No more chores. No more scrolling. No more stressing. It’s lights out, babe. Now here’s the truth: when you create a routine, you will realize you actually do have a full life. Especially if you’re a parent. You just need to lay it all out and commit to it.

Push yourself—but not in a toxic hustle way. In a this-is-how-I-protect-my-peace way. Having a schedule doesn’t just keep me moving. It keeps me stable. It gives my mind less room to spiral and more space to breathe. It keeps my kids grounded too—and let’s be honest, when the kids are good, mama is better. So if you’re in the thick of it, struggling with PMDD or just life in general—start here. Create structure. Keep it flexible, keep it realistic, but show up for yourself. Because guess what? That better version of you? She’s not some far-off fantasy. She’s already in you. You just have to make space for her to come out.

Part III: Changing My Diet – AKA Breaking Up with Taco Bell

Okay, listen… I didn’t want to believe it either, but my PMDD symptoms? They were getting worse because of how I was eating. And let me be real with you—Taco Bell had a chokehold on me. That cheesy, spicy, crunchy goodness? FIRE. But also? Not great for my body. Or my brain. Or my wallet, honestly. We were eating out all. the. time. Me, my husband, the kids—we had a rotating date night with Roosters, Olive Garden, Bob Evans… you name it, we were there. Swiping the card like we had stock in sodium and regret. But here’s the truth I had to face: eating out was wrecking me.

Mentally, physically, emotionally—it was all connected. The grease, the sugar, the bloat… none of it was helping my already chaotic PMDD. I started noticing that after every meal out, I felt sluggish, bloated, moody, and just blah. (But yeah, still slightly obsessed with breadsticks. We’re healing, not perfect.) And THEN came the moment that truly humbled me: I stepped on the scale. Saw 175. And let me tell you—I was SHOOKETH. Not because I don’t love my body, but because I wasn’t feeling good in it. A year ago I was 165, and that weight felt strong and comfortable for me. But this? This felt like a wake-up call from my jeans and my mental health. So naturally, I did what any desperate woman on a mission would do—I went to Google University on my little phone and searched “how to eat healthy for hormone balance” like my life depended on it. (Because… it kinda did.) Let me just say: the internet has A LOT of info.

Like, almost too much. It’s helpful and terrifying at the same time. But I grabbed a notebook, looked up high-protein meals, jotted down ideas I actually liked, and started building a grocery list that wouldn’t make me cry at checkout. (Shoutout to Aldi—if you have one near you, GO. Life changer.) Now here’s the thing: You don’t need to go keto or paleo or raw vegan or eat nothing but air and vibes. You do you, boo. But for me? High protein + fruits + veggies = the magic combo. It gave me energy, balanced out my moods (like, for real), and helped me feel stronger in my workouts, which—don’t worry, we’ll get to that in Part IV.

But I’m begging you—from one Taco Bell lover to another—stop eating out all the time. Not only is it draining your bank account, it’s probably making your PMDD symptoms worse. And with the weird stuff they put in food nowadays? It is not worth the bite you’re about to take right now… yes, I see you with that drive-thru bag. Trust me. Try eating at home for one week. See how your body and mind start to feel. Because once I changed my diet, I started to feel lighter, clearer, and a little more like myself again. You’ve got this. Your pantry is about to become your power tool. Let’s go.

Part IV: Vitamins – The Tiny Pills That Actually Changed My Life?!

Okay, okay… you’re probably looking at this like, “Girl, really? Vitamins?” And to that I say—YES. REALLY. Like, for real real. I used to be just like you. Rolling my eyes at those little bottles in the supplement aisle, thinking, “That’s cute, but I’m not falling for it. That’s just expensive pee.” But one day, I had a little come-to-Jesus moment with myself. I was like, “Alright Oksana, do vitamins actually help? Or are you just walking around feeling like crap because you’re undereducated on what your body actually needs?”

So, I did what I do best: I hit the internet and went full-blown health researcher mode. And guess what? Vitamins are not a scam. Your girl was shook.

Let’s talk about one of the biggest game-changers for me:

Vitamin B12 - Your body does not make it.

- You gotta get it from food (mostly animal products) or supplements.

- And if you’re not getting enough? Oh honey, the symptoms are not cute. We’re talking low energy, mood swings, brain fog, and a vibe so off that even your coffee can’t save you.

B12 helps with your:

• Energy levels

• Mental clarity and mood

• Red blood cell production

• Nervous system health

No wonder I was feeling like a whole mess—I was basically running on empty without it. So yeah, I’m now a vitamin girlie. But a smart one. I did the research, talked to my doctor, and figured out what my body actually needed instead of just popping random pills like they were candy. And you should do the same!

Check your labels, ask your doc, and find out what YOU need. Because your body might be begging for help and all it’s getting is caffeine and chaos. And just a heads up—I’m planning a full blog post just on vitamins, what they do, which ones to consider, and how not to waste your money. So stay tuned, okay?

This brand + gummies? GIRLLLL it tastes like Swedish fish

Part V: Keeping a Balance (and Why Exercise Saved My Sanity)

Alright, ladies—if you’ve been keeping up with my blog (and if you haven’t, go catch up ), you already know that exercise has been a total game changer for me when it comes to managing my PMDD. And no, I’m not just talking about losing inches or looking cute in leggings—although that’s a nice bonus. I’m talking about the mental health glow-up that came with it. Like, life-altering levels of peace, clarity, and not screaming into the void every five seconds.

Now here’s the thing: Exercise is part of the solution, but it’s not the only one. You need balance. Yep. That magical little word we all pretend we have while secretly running around like caffeinated squirrels. So here’s what I’ve learned—you NEED to carve out at least one hour a day just for you. Not for the kids, not for your partner, not for cleaning the weird sticky spot on the floor (again). Just. For. YOU. And I know, I know—you’re busy. You’ve got a million things going on. But girrrrl, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

That hour? That’s where you fill it back up. For me, that one hour is my workout time. It’s my “no one talk to me, I’m saving my sanity” time. It’s the best part of my day—not because I love pullups (I don’t)—but because I feel strong, calm, and in control afterward. That’s powerful. So when you’re building your daily routine (yes, I know you’re making one now because I told you to), make sure you block out that hour for yourself.

Whether it’s yoga, strength training, a walk in silence with a podcast, or dancing like nobody’s watching in your kitchen—do what feels good. Balance is key. And no, it doesn’t mean having a “perfect” day—it just means giving your mental, emotional, and physical health equal love. You’ll be amazed at how everything else starts falling into place when you take care of yourself first. Your peace matters. Your body matters. YOU matter. Now get that sweat on and claim your hour, girl. You’re building the strongest, happiest version of you—and I’m so proud of you for it.

Let’s Wrap It Up – Real Talk Time

Alright girly, let’s bring it home. We’ve talked about FIVE major things that helped me pull myself out of the PMDD pit:

1. Therapy

2. Scheduling and Routine

3. Cleaning up your diet

4. Vitamins

5. Balance and Exercise

That right there? That’s my blueprint. That’s what I use every single day to manage my PMDD symptoms and actually feel like a functioning human being again. But here’s the deal—none of this works unless you actually do the work. Read that again. If you’re serious about changing your life—like, really done feeling miserable, out of control, or like you don’t even recognize yourself anymore—then this can help you too.

But if you’re just skimming through, rolling your eyes, or mentally saying “that won’t work for me”… girl, that’s on you. And I say that with love. I don’t have some magic wand. I’m not perfect. I’m just a woman who finally got sick of her own BS and decided to fight for her peace. And guess what? You can too. So whether this helped you a little or a lot, I’m rooting for you.

I’m sending you love, light, grace, and maybe even a little kick in the butt—because we all need one sometimes. And if you’re ready to start, or have questions, or just need someone who gets it? Hit that button below and let’s talk. Thanks for being here. You got this. Stay strong, stay soft, and stay real, girlies.

— Oksana

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