28 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS Reviewed by Melanie Maxwell I rst discovered Melani Sanders last summer when Whoopi Goldberg shared one of her wildly popular “We Do Not Care Club” Instagram videos on ABC’s “ e View.” Sanders appeared dressed for what can only be described as a midlife survival mission: a gray satin bonnet, a white terry cloth headband tied in a bow, sunglasses perched on top, a pink silk sleep mask resting beneath her chin and a leopard-print travel pillow wrapped around her neck. A er calling her “We Do Not Care Club” (WDNC) to order, she peered through black-framed glasses and made a declaration that immediately resonated with millions of women: “We are simply putting the world on notice that we no longer care much anymore.” “The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook: A Hot-Mess Guide for Women in Perimenopause, Menopause, and Beyond Who Are Over It” By Melani Sanders Harvest (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) 2026•203 pages•$24 BOOK REVIEW With a stack of notes in hand, she proceeded to read the day’s announcements: “We do not care if the house is clean when you come over. Also, don’t come over.” She then struck through the note with a yellow marker and tossed it aside. As the camera panned down, two additional pairs of reading glasses could be seen hanging from her blouse. “We do not care if something is not ‘dishwasher safe,’” she said, using air quotes. “It is now … and will be from now on.” e humor is self-deprecating, relatable and instantly recognizable to women navigating the realities of midlife. A er the clip aired on national TV, women across the country began sharing it with friends, family members and co-workers who instantly saw themselves in Sanders’ humor. What began as a series of social media posts quickly evolved into something much larger: a cultural movement for women learning to let go of unrealistic expectations and reclaim their time, energy and sanity. e mother of three sons had unintentionally tapped into something millions of women were already feeling—and it all began in an unlikely place: a Whole Foods Market parking lot. A er a sleepless night in 2025, Sanders found herself waiting for the store to open so she could buy some Ashwagandha supplements. While sitting in her car, she caught a glimpse of herself in the rearview mirror. Her hair was a mess, and she had rushed out the door so quickly that morning she hadn’t bothered to apply edge control. Worse yet, part of her breast was spilling out of the side of an old, ill- tted sports bra she threw on in haste. en came a hot ash, followed by a meltdown. Usually, under these circumstances, she’d be morti ed. But suddenly, she burst out laughing. Amused by the realization that she no longer felt compelled to meet the expectations she once placed on herself, Sanders grabbed her phone and recorded a video from behind the steering wheel. “We about to start a perimenopause and menopause club, OK? And it’s gonna be called the ‘We Do Not Care’ club,” she announced. at spontaneous video struck a chord with women everywhere. People magazine later named the Florida-based in uencer its 2025 Creator of the Year. She has since built a community of more than 4 million followers, among them Sharon Stone, Halle Berry and Ashley Judd. Along the way, she has appeared on major TV programs, landed two book deals and become one of the most recognizable voices in the national conversation surrounding perimenopause and menopause. In January, Sanders brought the movement from social media to the printed page with this book. At its core, the premise is surprisingly simple: Stop exhausting yourself over things that don’t truly matter. Instead, focus on your health, happiness, peace of mind and the people you love. Photo: Surej Kalathil, Sunman Media Group Melani Sanders
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