It's Winter, and it feels "arctic". But lo and behold, there's your male colleagues happily strolling around in short sleeves. You're wrapped in three jumpers.

But why is this? Why do women always seem to be the ones shivering while men are swanning about like they were built for the Ice Age? Is it some cruel joke from Mother Nature, or is there actual science behind it? Spoiler: It’s science. And possibly a little bit of cruel joke.

The Science of Shivering

Let’s start with the basics. Women do, in fact, feel the cold more than men, and it’s not just because we have a strong sense of dramatic flair. Studies show that women’s core body temperature is actually slightly higher than men’s, meaning their bodies are already running a little warmer on the inside. This sounds like a good thing until you realise that the moment cold air hits, women’s blood vessels constrict more rapidly, reducing blood flow to the hands and feet. The result? Freezing fingers, icy toes, and an overwhelming urge to ‘borrow’ your boyfriend’s hoodie.

Fat vs. Muscle – The Battle for Warmth

Another culprit is body composition. Women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than men (yes, even the gym-obsessed ones), but before you get too excited, it’s not the kind of fat that helps much with warmth. While fat is great for insulation, it’s not particularly good at generating heat. Muscle, on the other hand, is like a built-in radiator, and men typically have more of it. This means they produce more heat, while women are left bundled up like human marshmallows, wondering how life could be so unfair.

The Thermostat Wars

If you’ve ever had an argument over the office or household thermostat, congratulations—you’ve participated in one of the great battles of human history. Offices are often kept at temperatures based on an outdated model from the 1960s, which was designed around the metabolic rate of a 40-year-old man in a suit. Given that most women don’t fit this category (and let’s be honest, neither do most modern men), the result is a working environment that feels like an ice hotel.

Evolution Had Other Plans

It’s not just modern air conditioning that’s to blame—evolution has a hand in this as well. Women’s bodies are designed to prioritise keeping the core warm (where all the important bits are), even if it means sacrificing the extremities. Back in prehistoric times, this was useful for survival. Today, it just means that while your male friends are happily sipping pints outdoors in December, you’re contemplating bringing a hot water bottle to the pub.

So next time you find yourself shivering while the men in your life seem oblivious to the Arctic conditions, remember—it’s not in your head, it’s in your biology. And if all else fails, remind them that there’s no shame in a thermal blanket and a nice toasty heated scarf.

The struggle is real.

If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and suddenly felt like you were supposed to have the body of a 25-year-old, the wisdom of an 80-year-old, and the energy of a toddler on a sugar high—all at the same time—then congratulations! You’ve experienced the modern-day pressure cooker that is ageing in the digital era.

And while you might think that once you reach a certain level of success, you’re immune to these unrealistic standards, Vera Wang—fashion icon, business mogul, and all-around legend—would beg to differ.

The Social Media Ageing Effect

At 75, Wang is fully aware that conversations around her often come back to her age. But unlike many of us, she didn’t grow up with a camera in her face 24/7, documenting every fine line, outfit choice, and so-called “flaw.”

"We did not have social media, and everybody did not age right before your very eyes, and everybody was not critical," she tells the BBC in this interview about her four careers, "It was really more about finding your way."

In other words, she didn’t waste time wondering whether her face had enough collagen to survive a front-facing camera. She was too busy building an empire.

Now, though? The obsession with ageing has reached new heights. Every day, a new skincare trend promises to “reverse time,” every celebrity over 40 is scrutinised for looking “too young” or “too old” (as if there’s a perfect middle ground), and women are constantly fed the idea that looking their age is some kind of personal failure.

Why Isn’t Ageing in Style?

Despite some progress in representation, the idea of ageing well in popular culture still tends to mean one thing: looking as youthful as possible for as long as possible. You can be fabulous at 50—but only if you look 35. You can be stylish at 60—but only if you “dress appropriately.”

And yet, Wang—who rocks micro-minis, sky-high platforms, and body-hugging silhouettes—has never let her age dictate her wardrobe, let alone her career. "My age doesn't factor in how I get dressed – and it never has," she told the BBC.

Which raises the question: why should it?

Rewriting the Narrative

Wang’s career is proof that reinvention isn’t about fighting against age—it’s about embracing your own evolution. The problem isn’t that women age; it’s that we’re told to do it a certain way. So maybe, instead of fixating on looking younger, we should focus on looking like ourselves. Instead of worrying about whether we’re “too old” for a career change, a bold fashion choice, or a new passion, we should take Wang’s approach: Stop obsessing over the mirror. Start obsessing over what makes you feel alive And if anyone has a problem with that? Don't let them clip your wings.

Watch the original interview that we were inspired by here:

Perimenopause: the phase of life where your body decides to throw a hormonal house party, but forgets to send you an invitation. One day, you’re cruising along just fine, and the next, you're crying over a cat video while simultaneously sweating through your shirt. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re entering perimenopause or just losing your mind, here are the early signs to watch out for—plus a few tips on how to cope.

1. Your Periods Are Playing Hide-and-Seek

Your once-predictable menstrual cycle now operates on its own chaotic schedule. One month, you might get your period twice; the next, it’s missing in action. It’s like your uterus is moonlighting as a magician—now you see it, now you don’t!

How to Handle It: Track your cycle using an app or good old-fashioned calendar. Knowing what’s happening (or not happening) can help you plan ahead and avoid being caught off guard. We'd also recommend checking out this brilliant UK-based organisation, Menopause Matters, who provide latest information, research and guidance on how to get through these changes. 

2. Hot Flashes: The Surprise Sauna Sessions

One minute, you’re fine. The next, you feel like you’re trapped in a car with the heater stuck on high in the middle of summer. Hot flashes and night sweats can make you feel like a human radiator at the most inconvenient times—like in a work meeting or while trying to sleep.

How to Handle It: Dress in layers, keep a fan nearby, and avoid caffeine and spicy foods (unless you enjoy adding fuel to the fire). Cooling pillows and lightweight bedding can also help keep night sweats in check.

3. Mood Swings That Rival a Teenager’s

One moment, you're feeling great; the next, you’re ready to bite someone's head off for chewing too loudly. If your emotions have become a rollercoaster ride, blame it on fluctuating oestrogen levels.

How to Handle It:  Regular exercise, meditation, and getting enough sleep can help regulate mood swings. And if you do snap at someone, a heartfelt apology (or a surprise snack) usually helps smooth things over.

4. Sleep? Never Heard of It

Remember when you could sleep through the night? Ah, those were the days. Insomnia, frequent wake-ups, and tossing and turning are all common signs of perimenopause.

How to Handle It:  Establish a bedtime routine, avoid screens before bed, and try relaxation techniques like deep breathing. If all else fails, embrace naps like a pro.

5. Brain Fog: Where Did I Put My...Wait, What Was I Saying?

If you’ve ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why, welcome to the wonderful world of perimenopausal brain fog. Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating can make even simple tasks feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube.

How to Handle It:  Make lists, set reminders, and cut yourself some slack. Your brain is doing its best under hormonal duress.

6. Weight Gain (Even Though You Swear You’re Eating the Same)

Despite your best efforts, the scale seems to have a mind of its own. Hormonal shifts can slow metabolism and cause weight to settle in new, unwelcome places.

How to Handle It:  Focus on strength training, a balanced diet, and staying active. And remember, weight doesn’t define you—confidence does!

7. Weird New Symptoms You Never Expected

Dry skin? Check. Thinning hair? Yep. Sudden food sensitivities? Why not! Perimenopause brings a variety of surprises, some more baffling than others.

How to Handle It: Take care of your skin with hydration and gentle products, consider a biotin supplement for hair health, and listen to your body’s new dietary preferences.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Chaos 

Perimenopause is unpredictable, frustrating, and sometimes downright bizarre. But the good news? You’re not alone, and with the right approach, you can navigate this phase with grace (or at least minimal public meltdowns). Stock up on cooling towels, keep chocolate nearby, and remind yourself—you’ve survived every other phase of life, and you’ll conquer this one, too!

History is filled with extraordinary women who, for one reason or another, never got the recognition they truly deserved. While we celebrate the likes of Cleopatra, Marie Curie, and Rosa Parks, countless other women made significant contributions to science, politics, literature, and social change—only to be brushed aside by the history books. Here are just a few of the great women who should have been household names.

1. Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000) – The Hollywood Star Who Invented Wi-Fi

Best known as a glamorous actress of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Hedy Lamarr was also a brilliant inventor. She co-developed a frequency-hopping technology to prevent enemy torpedoes from being jammed—an invention that later became the foundation for modern Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Yet, for most of her life, she was only recognized for her beauty.

2. Alice Ball (1892–1916) – The Woman Who Found a Cure for Leprosy

At just 23 years old, Alice Ball developed the first effective treatment for leprosy, known as the “Ball Method.” Her groundbreaking work allowed thousands of patients to recover and live normal lives. Tragically, she passed away before she could see the full impact of her work, and for years, a male scientist took credit for her discovery. Only recently has her contribution been acknowledged.

3. Lilian Bland (1878–1971) – The Daredevil Aviator

Lilian Bland was a fearless Irish aviator who built and flew her own airplane in 1910—making her the first woman in the world to do so. While the Wright brothers were making history, Bland was pushing boundaries, defying societal norms, and proving that women belonged in aviation. Yet, her story remains largely untold.

4. Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) – The Hidden Figures Mathematician

Thanks to the movie Hidden Figures, Katherine Johnson’s name is more well-known today, but for decades, her contributions to NASA’s space missions were overlooked. Her calculations helped put the first American astronaut into orbit and later guided the Apollo missions to the Moon. Despite her critical role in space exploration, history initially forgot her achievements.

5. Ching Shih (1775–1844) – The Most Powerful Pirate in History

Pirates are usually depicted as gruff, bearded men with eye patches, but Ching Shih was arguably the most successful pirate of all time. She commanded a fleet of over 1,800 ships and 80,000 men, enforcing a strict code of conduct and successfully resisting the Chinese navy, Portuguese forces, and even the British Empire. Unlike most pirates, she retired peacefully and lived to old age—an incredible feat in the cutthroat world of piracy.

6. Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) – The Journalist Who Took on Racism

Ida B. Wells was a fearless investigative journalist and civil rights activist who exposed the horrors of lynching in the U.S. She faced threats, attacks, and exile, but she never stopped fighting for justice and equality. Despite her pivotal role in the anti-lynching movement and women’s suffrage, her name is rarely mentioned alongside other civil rights leaders.

7. Sophie Scholl (1921–1943) – The Student Who Defied the Nazis

A member of the German resistance group White Rose, Sophie Scholl risked her life distributing anti-Nazi pamphlets during World War II. She was arrested, tried, and executed at just 21 years old. Her courage and unwavering belief in justice should have made her a global symbol of resistance, but her story remains lesser known outside Germany.

Why Weren’t They Famous?

Many of these women were ignored, erased, or overshadowed by men who took credit for their work. Others were simply victims of the times they lived in, when women's achievements were often dismissed or forgotten.

The Takeaway

History may have tried to forget these women, but we don’t have to. Their stories remind us of the importance of recognition, representation, and rewriting the past to reflect the true contributions of women. So, the next time someone tells you history is written by the victors, remember—it’s also written by those who had the power to hold the pen.

It's time to celebrate the great women of history who should have been famous. Let’s make sure they are never forgotten again.