Sooooo glad to know that it's not just me! I have been experiencing peri symptoms for a decade now, with the worst kicking in around 4 years ago. At this point, it's almost the only thing I want to talk about -- that and how much I freaking hate the patriarchy. I was so deep in rage, exhaustion and despair that the only thing I could do to start to drag myself out was write. Write stories with Gen X women, putting them at the centre of things -- where we have never really been, not unless we look or behave a certain way!
Thank you for sharing this article, it's important work that we need more of.
Stephanie, it was--as usual--an incredible, affirming, expansive, hilarious, and beautiful conversation! Thank you for doing this work, for being a leader, and for creating a space for other women to share their experiences. Midlife women need each other to feel seen and heard. We have created information highways to help each other and I LOVE It. And we need more research on women's health and bodies; we need to amplify our stories and experiences so we can normalize our experiences; and smash the shame & stigma that many of us carry. I love doing this work with you and thank you!!
Love this, Steph! This line though particularly resonated: "I have been “oversharing” in communities small and large for a decade. I don’t know how to not be open." Yes! I will be using this as I explain to my adult son why I am publishing a book of poetry on marriage, motherhood, divorce, disaster dating, menopause that reveals probably much more than it should. Before I read this, when he asked me why on early I was publishing this Xray of my soul, I didn't know what to say. Now I know the answer. From a GenX divorced perimenopausal "Queen" (thank you!)
Sooooo glad to know that it's not just me! I have been experiencing peri symptoms for a decade now, with the worst kicking in around 4 years ago. At this point, it's almost the only thing I want to talk about -- that and how much I freaking hate the patriarchy. I was so deep in rage, exhaustion and despair that the only thing I could do to start to drag myself out was write. Write stories with Gen X women, putting them at the centre of things -- where we have never really been, not unless we look or behave a certain way!
Thank you for sharing this article, it's important work that we need more of.
👏👏👏this is me giving a standing ovation to everything you said here
Stephanie, it was--as usual--an incredible, affirming, expansive, hilarious, and beautiful conversation! Thank you for doing this work, for being a leader, and for creating a space for other women to share their experiences. Midlife women need each other to feel seen and heard. We have created information highways to help each other and I LOVE It. And we need more research on women's health and bodies; we need to amplify our stories and experiences so we can normalize our experiences; and smash the shame & stigma that many of us carry. I love doing this work with you and thank you!!
Oh, yes, well-said!
Love this, Steph! This line though particularly resonated: "I have been “oversharing” in communities small and large for a decade. I don’t know how to not be open." Yes! I will be using this as I explain to my adult son why I am publishing a book of poetry on marriage, motherhood, divorce, disaster dating, menopause that reveals probably much more than it should. Before I read this, when he asked me why on early I was publishing this Xray of my soul, I didn't know what to say. Now I know the answer. From a GenX divorced perimenopausal "Queen" (thank you!)
Brilliant. Could not agree more here.
Amie! I can't wait to listen to this conversation!
You're the best, Wendy!!
I love this! I also love Amie’s point about our DIY approach to midlife.