57 and I talk about my knees to absolutely nobody. Not my sister, not my husband, not at book group. I just quietly accommodate them. I stopped kneeling down to sort the bottom of the dishwasher. I get out of the car differently now. I didn't decide to do these things, I just started doing them and one day noticed I had. It's the joint pain that's got under my skin more than anything else from the last few years. Not the flushes (gone, mostly), not the sleep (better on HRT), not even the brain fog. The joints. And yet it's the thing I mention least because it makes me feel old in a way I'm not ready to feel. I've started walking every morning. Nothing dramatic, just out before my husband is up, forty minutes, same route. I tell myself it's for my head but honestly it's because I read something about weight-bearing activity and bone density and it scared me enough to get my trainers on. I've got a DEXA scan question written in my phone for my next GP appointment. I've been on HRT for six years and I want to actually talk through what that means long-term, properly, not just a repeat prescription conversation. Also eating more protein than feels normal. Eggs at breakfast, which I never used to bother with. No idea if it's doing anything yet. Just wanted to write it down somewhere. The thing I feel most and say least. x