One day I was grocery shopping and came upon a friend who was standing in the supplement section crying.
When I inquired, “Are you okay?”
She responded, “I’m falling apart.”
So instead of shopping, I stood with my crying friend. In her basket were yoga DVDs, and a pile of natural supplements intended for menopause. She told me she was buying every supplement suggested on WebMD and that she felt old, unattractive, tired, and anxious. Also, her brain was gone.
To quote my friend, “I can’t get my poop in a scoop.”
I did my best to reassure her that she wasn’t losing her mind. We sorted through the supplements and returned items to the shelf that I knew from experience, and consultation with my Ob/Gyn, did not work. Mostly, I’d been in her shoes and provided understanding. This is a woman’s experience and we need to be supportive of each other.
Perimenopause creates a feeling of asymmetry. All you want is to return to the old you. The one you understood. The one who didn’t have a freight train running through her head, insomnia, bloating and emotional upheaval, just to name a few. Every woman’s journey is unique, but she should never have to feel less than who she currently is. All women experiencing perimenopause should be able to look forward to the new and wiser person she will become. This is, however, a shared sisterhood experience. Be kind, especially to yourself.