Sometimes the best advice isn’t wrapped in pretty packages. The best advice can sometimes be messy or even uncomfortable. What makes it so valuable is when it comes from a place of love. 

Another year older and my health is in tact! What type of year will this be? I’m ready for whatever adventure is next.

Aside from wanting to share all the new products I’m trying out and learning about how other women are dealing with this transition, I vacillate between being completely charged up to talk  about every new symptom to completely tossing my journal out the window. 

Throwing away my stash of feminine products was not what I expected. Before reaching menopause via the medical route, I thought throwing away my menstrual products would feel like an exhilarating and exciting milestone celebration. It didn’t. I was flooded with a variety of emotions but victory wasn’t one of them.

“If you want to use your vagina following menopause, you have to prepare to use it.” I was mortified to hear this during an ovarian suppression information session, but it can be true. There can be significant changes that happen during the menopause transition—not all bad. There’s a wide spectrum of experiences that impact many women. Here are a couple things I’ve learned so far.

But I kind of am. I rarely stick to the same hairstyle because my hair is part of my self expression. I’ve always loved trying out new styles. Losing my hair due to chemo but growing it back afterwards meant a lot to me. However I’m finding that the menopause transition is throwing my hair game for a new loop!

Okay, I can’t completely blame menopause for wrinkles. Our bodies produce less collagen as we age with some acceleration (varies by person) once we start the menopause transition. As I become more focused on how my body’s changing, I’m trying to figure out the best routines and tools to care for my rapidly changing skin.

Going through the menopause transition is reminding me a lot of what it was like to be a teenager but in a good-ish way. My reactions to things—both physically and mentally—are changing due to my hormonal changes. It’s been an interesting shift in perspective.

Daytime wear transformations since starting the menopause transition have been fun. This is tame. I’ve definitely worn a full on mesh shirt and sports bra to a little league game or two...

These bones don’t work the way they used to! :)

Don’t let the name fool you. There’s so much about the menopause transition that sucks. I cry, mourn and am sometimes so angry about what I’m experiencing…

Understanding our bodies is so important. We use the word “menopause” as a catch all phrase, but need to go so much deeper!

Yes, I’m a bit of a prude but my wardrobe is allowing less of that these days. A brief exploration into my evolving nighttime gear.

This is a big part of my identity, but not all of it. Sometimes I use the title as a badge of honor. Other times it just pisses me off. Just depends on the day…

This picture was taken at the start of chemo five years ago. It may not be clear but there were so many emotions going through my mind in this pic. Here’s how it all started.