Ever feel like your emotions are the ocean? One day, it’s all calm waves and Instagram-worthy sunsets, and the next, you’re in the middle of a full-blown tsunami of stress, exhaustion, and “why did I just cry over a spilled smoothie?” moments.

Here’s the thing: you can’t just keep paddling through life without taking a break. If you never stop to rest, reflect, and recharge, you’re basically that little boat in the stormy sea—out of fuel, waterlogged, and on the verge of capsizing.

Ladies, let’s talk about the thing we all pretend we don’t notice until we try to zip up last year’s jeans—belly fat. It sneaks up on us like a toxic ex who just won’t quit. But before you start swearing off carbs and signing up for boot camp, let’s break down what’s actually going on. Because, spoiler alert: the more you stress about belly fat, the more it sticks around.