One of my passions is to change the way we talk about menopause. In 2019 menopause went mainstream now; let’s make 2020 the time to move the conversation to the next level from more than just symptoms and to seeing that menopause can have a positive impact on your life when you embrace it.
Any transition involves change and can be uncomfortable with potentially tricky choices.
Menopause is a crossroads, an opportunity to choose the direction you wish to follow for the next third of your life. It’s a time of reflection and the chance to become the person you want to be. It’s an opportunity to explore your own needs and desires and reflect on what you truly want out of your life. There are so many ways to regain control, confidence, and be free to live the life you choose.
From my own experience, I can share with you some choices I used to create a mind over menopause and embraced the change.
- Research Your Menopause
Ignorance fosters fear. Start thinking about menopause early and begin to research the changes your body will go through. Being prepared for this life-altering shift is crucial to accepting your new reality. There’s a tonne of great books and websites to help you. Find positive support groups locally and on-line to reassure yourself that you’re not alone on this journey. - Become Aware Your Self-Talk
Are you talking to yourself with real kindness, or are you beating yourself up, creating negative emotions? Speak to yourself kindly as you would someone you love and care for. - Ask for Help
It can be hard to pick yourself up when feeling down, so create a support network you can turn to. Sometimes you need to be told ‘it’s OK’ or ‘I’m here for you.’ - Make Time for Self-Nurture
Set aside 10-15 minutes a day of ‘me-time.’ There is no one path but just making time for yourself, learning to listen to what you need, and permitting yourself to ask for it. - Love Yourself for Who You Are
Know that you are special, that you are unique. You may not be able to lose all the weight you were hoping to, or maybe you’re finding a few more grey hairs? They’re all OK. Don’t judge yourself on how you look on the outside; love the person you are beneath. - Start to Take Action
Knowledge is said to be power, but I believe it’s in applying that knowledge that the real power lies. So having done your research and discovered steps that you can take to create positive change, take action. Start small but begin. - SMILE!
When you smile, you stand up straighter, and you feel lighter and brighter, the world will take on a more positive hue. You will also produce happy hormones that help you cope better with this change that is menopause.
