Thank you for writing about this do honestly and so beautifully, and with your usual delightful sprinkle of humor. 🥰
This is not an easy transition. Even though I’m now officially in the post-menopause part of this forced-march metamorphosis, that feeling of being someone other than the person you’ve always been remains.
What’s different - for me, and for other women I’ve talked to - is that at a certain point you start to feel more comfortable in this new skin. I’m not talking about the physical ailments and limitations (those are still a pain in the ass), but … I don’t know … I feel like I’m experiencing a kind of slow acceptance that feels less like defeat and more like … recalibrating?
It’s hard to make sense of it. Obviously. But I do appreciate you sharing your story. And I’m glad you took the trip. Sounds amazing on many levels.
Hmmmm...I'm grateful to hear that it doesn't feel like defeat, because my natural inclination is to couch this as a fight. It's so alienating, almost a reverse of the out of body experience of puberty, which, in hindsight seems much kinder and a lot shorter than this wild ride. Some of this feels like the tease of Fall to me. We wait all year for it and then there are three glorious weeks and then BAM! 30 degree temperatures, wind, and darkness. I was so enjoying my personal Fall, so I'm thinking there's some grief here for me too. Still so much understanding to work on...guess I need to take more trips! 🤣
I agree, Jamie. My life completely changed for the better once I was in my 50s and it's even better now, in my 60s. I could be bemoaning the fact of my belly fat (honestly I don't care for it) but I've come to acceptance about it, instead of mocking it and myself, I cuddle it, and say nice things. It's skin, it's fat, it's just a body. The good stuff is in my heart and my head. I feel very fortunate tonight being in the company of your thoughts and wisdom and Jess's. YAY, friends! xo
Beautifully said, Nan. I love how you talked about bodies just being how we carry our souls around in your melting-pot post. Sometimes (most of the time) we focus on the wrong things.
I wish I could carry that mindset with me always, instead of constantly dropping back into the worries of the world as it relates to my body. I've gotten better over the years, so I hope that is an evolution that will continue.
LOVE you, Jess. I wish the myths about HRT had been debunked 17 years ago when I could have used it...but oh, well. Joy is the thing. My sponsor's name is Joy. I love that so much. I love your honesty, and the way you weave a story. You're clear and crisp in your wondering, and I always come away with insights into the choices I make or need to make. I love the name of your stack, have from the beginning. You're a gem, kiddo. xo
Thank you, Nan. As someone who sucks at naming things, and at feeling my own emotions, I really appreciate that. Joy has been my nemesis at times, elusive both in definition and in spirit, but I'm learning that the more I call to her, trust her, learn her, believe in her, the more she has to show me. It's not surprising to me that your sponsor's name is Joy. She shows up in the darndest of places. Thank you, as always, for reading, and for sharing how it hits with you. I so appreciate that.
Thank you for writing about this do honestly and so beautifully, and with your usual delightful sprinkle of humor. 🥰
This is not an easy transition. Even though I’m now officially in the post-menopause part of this forced-march metamorphosis, that feeling of being someone other than the person you’ve always been remains.
What’s different - for me, and for other women I’ve talked to - is that at a certain point you start to feel more comfortable in this new skin. I’m not talking about the physical ailments and limitations (those are still a pain in the ass), but … I don’t know … I feel like I’m experiencing a kind of slow acceptance that feels less like defeat and more like … recalibrating?
It’s hard to make sense of it. Obviously. But I do appreciate you sharing your story. And I’m glad you took the trip. Sounds amazing on many levels.
xo 💜
Hmmmm...I'm grateful to hear that it doesn't feel like defeat, because my natural inclination is to couch this as a fight. It's so alienating, almost a reverse of the out of body experience of puberty, which, in hindsight seems much kinder and a lot shorter than this wild ride. Some of this feels like the tease of Fall to me. We wait all year for it and then there are three glorious weeks and then BAM! 30 degree temperatures, wind, and darkness. I was so enjoying my personal Fall, so I'm thinking there's some grief here for me too. Still so much understanding to work on...guess I need to take more trips! 🤣
I agree, Jamie. My life completely changed for the better once I was in my 50s and it's even better now, in my 60s. I could be bemoaning the fact of my belly fat (honestly I don't care for it) but I've come to acceptance about it, instead of mocking it and myself, I cuddle it, and say nice things. It's skin, it's fat, it's just a body. The good stuff is in my heart and my head. I feel very fortunate tonight being in the company of your thoughts and wisdom and Jess's. YAY, friends! xo
Beautifully said, Nan. I love how you talked about bodies just being how we carry our souls around in your melting-pot post. Sometimes (most of the time) we focus on the wrong things.
I wish I could carry that mindset with me always, instead of constantly dropping back into the worries of the world as it relates to my body. I've gotten better over the years, so I hope that is an evolution that will continue.
LOVE you, Jess. I wish the myths about HRT had been debunked 17 years ago when I could have used it...but oh, well. Joy is the thing. My sponsor's name is Joy. I love that so much. I love your honesty, and the way you weave a story. You're clear and crisp in your wondering, and I always come away with insights into the choices I make or need to make. I love the name of your stack, have from the beginning. You're a gem, kiddo. xo
Thank you, Nan. As someone who sucks at naming things, and at feeling my own emotions, I really appreciate that. Joy has been my nemesis at times, elusive both in definition and in spirit, but I'm learning that the more I call to her, trust her, learn her, believe in her, the more she has to show me. It's not surprising to me that your sponsor's name is Joy. She shows up in the darndest of places. Thank you, as always, for reading, and for sharing how it hits with you. I so appreciate that.
xo. Joy=Grace. xo