Who am I?
I have this lovely little fridge magnet that says ‘Women don’t grow old: they find themselves’. This is a constant reminder, for me, that as a woman I can continue to grow, enjoy challenges and have fun. The menopause is not the end but a new beginning!
I get many emails and queries from women experiencing physical symptoms, some mild and some really debilitating, I can often help them to regain balance or to give them enough information so that they can seek further advice from a more qualified practitioner.
However, I am now getting more and more correspondence from ladies who are puzzling over their feelings and can’t understand why they are behaving or thinking in a certain way. ‘I don’t know who I am anymore,’ said one woman to me. ‘I no longer enjoy my hobbies, I don’t like my perfume I have worn for years and I hate my wardrobe and my hair and I want to change everything!
This seems to be a time where women suddenly feel a powerful need to be (or even to find) their real selves and to do something different.
I have puzzled over this: why at this stage do so many women want to do something radical? I think that one aspect is that we are no longer ruled, monthly, by our hormones. I honestly believe that our hormones have such a mental and physical grip on us.
I guess nature wanted to make absolutely sure that we would stick around and care for our families! But as we are released from this control our innermost dreams and individuality often surface, giving us a bit of a fright!
All I can suggest is to be brave and follow what you really want to do, or at least start to plan it if it is not appropriate at the present moment. Look upon it as an adventure. There is no pass or fail, just a new experience waiting for you!
What exciting or daring changes did you undertake in your menopause?
What would you love to do but are scared to?
