Menopausability
image courtesy of gerd altmann via pixabay
Menopause is having a moment…and I really hope it’s not just a flash in the pan!
This natural occurrence can be experienced by anyone with ovaries, most often and significantly by cisgender women. Because menopause has been misunderstood and misrepresented, it has become a taboo subject. I’m so pleased to see it being unmasked (it’s about time!) and I’m excited and proud to be an active part of a more mainstream menopause movement.
Menopause, by definition, is the moment in time that a person has gone 12 consecutive months without having a menstrual period. Outside of that moment, the entire menopause process is a continuum.
Though there are averages and generalities, every person’s timeline and journey is unique. During this time, related mental and physical changes and lifestyle adaptations can significantly affect how someone experiences their own body and the world around them.
This is where Menopausability™ comes in: the ability to, pause when needed, capture existing possibilities, and pave a path to and through menopause.
Pause When Needed: There will be better days and worse days along the menopause continuum, just like any other normal aspect of life you experience. Not only is it ok to pause when energy is low or symptoms are strong, it is absolutely recommended! Up to now, you have had a lifetime of “pushing through”—take a break when needed and you are able. Reconnect with solutions when you can make progress and remember, pausing is not quitting–-it’s resting and restoring!
Capture Existing Possibilities: Even during extreme frustration, there are options to explore that may be hard to see when feeling unwell or discouraged. A simple strategy to log ideas and potential solutions, no matter how small, insignificant (or seemingly ridiculous!) they seem can give a spark to those possibilities. Make a list and reserve initial judgment.
Pave a Path: As you start to explore the possibilities, you will discover tools, techniques and connections that help you along your menopause journey. These become the pavers of your path–stepping stones along the way. Sometimes you will make fast progress, sometimes you will veer a bit off course, and sometimes you will need to intentionally move in new directions. With your list of possibilities and your ability to take a break when needed, you can continue to move forward through menopause with increased care and confidence.
My own journey has been one of the most frustrating and most empowering transitions in my life. I thought I was informed, but as different symptoms came and went (and many times returned uninvited to stay quite a while!), it did not occur to me that what I was experiencing might be menopause-related. I anticipated the hot flashes (also called hot flushes), weight gain, and lower energy, but things like anxiety, musculoskeletal discomfort, moodiness, brain fog, and insomnia were not on my radar. I navigated through the steps above without realizing what I was doing—only after some reflection and processing did I become aware of my approach.
Through perimenopause and beyond is the time to put yourself first to ensure your health and happiness. Solutions do exist—from food and nutrition, to strength and flexibility, to mental health, community engagement, and more. It can take a while to find what works for you, so patience and persistence are important. And so is believing in the possibility of addressing and alleviating the symptoms and establishing a fun and fulfilling life—there is a light at the end of the menopause tunnel!
The first two letters in menopause and Menopausability are “Me”. This can act as a reminder for you to explore solutions and make a flexible plan to help you manage your own journey. In this new age of making menopause mainstream, I invite you to embrace your own experiences and opportunities and join the Menopausability movement. Are you with me?
