Show Notes
FIFO is already hard on relationships. The distance, the loneliness, the change in routine, missing your person and trying to stay connected while living two completely different lives.
Then add perimenopause into the mix.
In this episode, I’m talking about what the last 8–10 days have looked like for me — the sudden low mood, heightened anxiety and insecurity, needing more reassurance, old wounds feeling fresh again, losing motivation and even losing the excitement I normally have for things I love.
For a while, I genuinely didn’t feel like myself.
And when your husband is FIFO, the person who feels like your safety net isn’t physically there to give you the hug or reassurance you might desperately need in those moments.
I talk about how I got through those days without pretending I was fine, the tools I used to stop myself spiralling further, how Stef supported me from site, and something I didn’t expect — how our FIFO Relationship Box and connection prompts naturally gave my anxious brain some of the reassurance it was searching for without putting all of that pressure on him while he was working.
This isn’t an episode about having all the answers. I’m still figuring this out too.
It’s about recognising that perimenopause can add a whole new emotional layer to FIFO life — and maybe we need to give ourselves a little more grace while we learn how to navigate it.
Because apparently surviving FIFO wasn’t enough of a challenge. Now we’re adding perimenopause. 😂
More from FIFO Support I Soft Reset
Ever had something ridiculously small happen and suddenly you’re crying like everything has fallen apart? Yep. Me too. I recently spilled something in the kitchen and completely lost it. But I wasn’t crying about the spill. It was everything that had built up before it — and suddenly I was thinking, I hate FIFO. I just want my husband home. FIFO adds an extra layer to everyday overwhelm. We carry the load, push emotions aside because there’s shit to get done, and sometimes even feel guilty telling our partners we’re struggling because they’re away working hard. In this episode, I’m talking about why we need to stop suppressing our emotions, why it’s okay to cry, and four practical ways to reduce overwhelm before we reach breaking point. Because sometimes “I can’t do this anymore” really means… “I can’t do any more today.” 🎧 FIFO Support | Soft Reset — real conversations about the parts of FIFO we don’t talk about enough.
I hate FIFO. I’ve said it plenty of times. A couple of months ago, I was crying on FaceTime telling Stef I was done. I didn’t want to be a FIFO wife anymore. I wanted my husband home every night — and there was actually an opportunity for him to move into a Perth-based role. But once the emotion settled and I really thought about what leaving FIFO would mean for BOTH of us, I realised the answer wasn’t nearly as simple as I thought. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about when FIFO actually stops being worth it — and why that answer isn’t just about money. We talk about income, quality time, job satisfaction, kids, mental health, R&R priorities, keeping your relationship connected and protected, and the things FIFO can actually give a family alongside everything it takes away. Because maybe the question isn’t whether FIFO is good or bad. Maybe the real question is: Is FIFO still giving your family enough to justify what it’s costing you — and are BOTH of you still okay with that trade? This is a very honest look at why, despite absolutely fucking hating parts of FIFO life, I’ve realised that right now… it still works for us. 🎙️ FIFO Support | Soft Reset
FIFO & Cheating: When Should You Actually Worry? FIFO and cheating is a topic that comes up constantly — but not every change, missed phone call or bad night of reception means your partner is cheating. In this episode, we’re having a balanced conversation about what actually deserves your attention and what might simply be normal FIFO life. We talk about why FIFO can create more opportunity and make cheating easier to hide, how blurred coworker boundaries can develop, the difference between privacy and secrecy, changes in communication and intimacy, camp reception and Wi-Fi excuses, and why someone else’s “signs” shouldn’t automatically become evidence in your relationship. Most importantly, we talk about change, consistency and clusters — knowing what’s normal in your relationship and recognising when that normal genuinely starts to shift. This isn’t about creating fear or turning you into a detective. It’s about understanding the difference between fear and genuine changes, communicating before accusing, and protecting the trust and boundaries that keep FIFO relationships connected. Your relationship still exists when you get on that plane. Your boundaries should too.
The Boundaries That Protect Your Relationship
Starting FIFO life can feel overwhelming. One minute you’re trying to hold it together, and the next you’re wondering why everyone else seems to cope better than you.