As a perimenopause educator, I often get asked for resources that link our cycle to our habits and personalities. I'll be happy to share your Substack as a resource for them. Also, I really connect with your writing—you have a beautiful way with words. In this week's article, I'm talking about what I call "phantom periods," and I'll link to your quote about muscle memory. I liked how you captured that experience. "Even when we aren’t cycling? Yep, even in the Winter Wise Woman years (after menopause) because we have been cycling for so many years there is kind of a muscle memory in our bodies for it."
I’m so glad you left a comment on my post, Jess, and now I’ve found your beautiful writing. Hmmm, I’ll be 83 in December this year, so I guess that puts me well and truly into Winter. I need to think about this! Writing my ’60-plus writers’ post, which initially got crickets and then suddenly took off, has astounded me and also sparked all kinds of ideas. And this year, I’ll be self-publishing my first novel. It seems like there’s a lot of sprouting going on over here in the Winter! I don’t think I or the women I’m meeting here on Substack fit the mould of what it is to be old; not at all. Yes, I definitely need to give this a lot of thought! Thank you for lighting the spark.
It feels so important to bring this idea of 'seasons' of life forward again in the culture. Just as we are youth/fertility obsessed, it seems the idea of having an Autumn and Winter in our lives - and those seasons being VALUABLE (and hell, maybe even ENJOYABLE?) for ourselves and the culture, has been lost... At sixty, I feel I'm transitioning into late Autumn and when I do push myself too hard (thinking I'm in my 40s again!) I usually crash and burn afterwards!
The seasons within the seasons- I had never considered this idea before, but I completely recognize it! Not only have I also entered into my "No" stage after being a "Yes" woman for decades, I also know that during some weeks I have more energy, and others, I have less. And the food my body craves during the different weeks is also so different. Popcorn dinner is a thing for me along with a handful of nuts; it's not a frequent dinner, and I don't serve it to my kids, but somedays, that is really all I want. Other times is protein. I have also found myself saying yes to a gathering only to get there and really wish I was home instead. It's a new phase for me to turn inward and nurture myself - something that I have never thought about doing until I reached this phase of my life at age 49. But like you I also find the bursts of energy for gardening or creating a piece of jewelry or a long run on a weekend morning. I never know what my body will have energy for each day, but it's like going from having a gallon of energy to expend each day back in my 30s and early 40s to having a only cup of energy in my late 40s. I'm much more thoughtful now about how I use that precious energy that used to be boundless. Staying curious as I observe the changes and am so grateful for your Substack and your writing which reminds me to keep watching my cycle and to help my daughter do the same. <3
Oh my gosh, yes me too with the popcorn and nuts for dinner and a bit of chocolate 😉. I'm glad this isn't just me going through this alone. It helps to know this is actually a life phase, doesn't it? I'm thankful that my husband and son are so supportive during the Wild Woman phase.
As a perimenopause educator, I often get asked for resources that link our cycle to our habits and personalities. I'll be happy to share your Substack as a resource for them. Also, I really connect with your writing—you have a beautiful way with words. In this week's article, I'm talking about what I call "phantom periods," and I'll link to your quote about muscle memory. I liked how you captured that experience. "Even when we aren’t cycling? Yep, even in the Winter Wise Woman years (after menopause) because we have been cycling for so many years there is kind of a muscle memory in our bodies for it."
And yay for popcorn for dinner!
Awesome!
Great, I plan to quote you and cross-post you as well. Sisterhood! Huzzah!
You and I are going to get along fabulously!
I’m so glad you left a comment on my post, Jess, and now I’ve found your beautiful writing. Hmmm, I’ll be 83 in December this year, so I guess that puts me well and truly into Winter. I need to think about this! Writing my ’60-plus writers’ post, which initially got crickets and then suddenly took off, has astounded me and also sparked all kinds of ideas. And this year, I’ll be self-publishing my first novel. It seems like there’s a lot of sprouting going on over here in the Winter! I don’t think I or the women I’m meeting here on Substack fit the mould of what it is to be old; not at all. Yes, I definitely need to give this a lot of thought! Thank you for lighting the spark.
It feels so important to bring this idea of 'seasons' of life forward again in the culture. Just as we are youth/fertility obsessed, it seems the idea of having an Autumn and Winter in our lives - and those seasons being VALUABLE (and hell, maybe even ENJOYABLE?) for ourselves and the culture, has been lost... At sixty, I feel I'm transitioning into late Autumn and when I do push myself too hard (thinking I'm in my 40s again!) I usually crash and burn afterwards!
💯
The seasons within the seasons- I had never considered this idea before, but I completely recognize it! Not only have I also entered into my "No" stage after being a "Yes" woman for decades, I also know that during some weeks I have more energy, and others, I have less. And the food my body craves during the different weeks is also so different. Popcorn dinner is a thing for me along with a handful of nuts; it's not a frequent dinner, and I don't serve it to my kids, but somedays, that is really all I want. Other times is protein. I have also found myself saying yes to a gathering only to get there and really wish I was home instead. It's a new phase for me to turn inward and nurture myself - something that I have never thought about doing until I reached this phase of my life at age 49. But like you I also find the bursts of energy for gardening or creating a piece of jewelry or a long run on a weekend morning. I never know what my body will have energy for each day, but it's like going from having a gallon of energy to expend each day back in my 30s and early 40s to having a only cup of energy in my late 40s. I'm much more thoughtful now about how I use that precious energy that used to be boundless. Staying curious as I observe the changes and am so grateful for your Substack and your writing which reminds me to keep watching my cycle and to help my daughter do the same. <3
And thank you for supporting my work!!! I appreciate your comments and insights. 🤗
I always look forward to your posts! : D
Oh my gosh, yes me too with the popcorn and nuts for dinner and a bit of chocolate 😉. I'm glad this isn't just me going through this alone. It helps to know this is actually a life phase, doesn't it? I'm thankful that my husband and son are so supportive during the Wild Woman phase.
I'm so glad to know I'm not going through this alone as well!