This is so interesting, and I wish I had discovered it sooner, but the big question for me now is what happens in perimenopause and menopause? I'm in late reproductive stage or peri, and my cycles are still on a schedule, but there are changes. I used to be able to tell when I was ovulating, and now I can't every month.
I am also about 5 years into perimenopause. Since practicing cycle awareness, I am managing menstrual symptoms so much better!
Who knew that after decades of endometriosis (which at 40yrs old got so much worse), I am delighted to say my symptoms are no more. Tracking my cycle and learning what a healthy cycle looks like, allowed me to listen to what my body has been needing. I have guinea-pigged myself through years of intense research and lots of prayer.
My cycle length is now the most stable it has ever been. I know the time will come when my bleed takes a hike and I skip. My plan is to continue to feel into each day's shifting energy and find my way through the weeds and woods when my cycle goes off the predicted path.
I will say that Shelby, who has been in peri forever, (right Shelby?), has been tracking her cycle and is now learning her unique signs and this last cycle was able to see herself transition into her Fall phase and knew the night before she was going into her inner Winter.
So I will not say all is lost. And I do think we can get our minds to bodies to be in agreement which helps us go with our own flow.
There is a great book called Wise Power. It walks women through the psychology to sync with the physiology of menopause. Highly recommended read.
I hope you start tracking just to really get to know this life phase of yourself. If for no other reason than when in post menopause you can use it as a tool for reflection.
Perimenopause is the stage of the chrysalis. So much going on internally and we are forced to stop and stay inward in some very personal ways, yet the outer world is moving on. I say, let it.
I know I've said this before, but this information is invaluable. All women should know it. I wish I had learned it as a teenager! Once I started tuning into my cycles, I had a better idea of when to make big decisions, when to do more intense workouts, when to sit and rest quietly, ect. By understanding my body, I no longer had to feel bad about not "pushing through" something. But maybe more importantly, I'm able to teach my daughter how to pay attention to her cycle. So grateful for your work! ☺️
Thank you Susan. I am excited to have so much more to share! Ready to hear about the nuances of that time between late Fall and Winter? I'll release that one soon. Thanks for being one of my favorite readers! Your encouragement from the beginning has been amazing.
Yes! I am so excited to hear about the time between late Fall and Winter since I am clearly in my Fall stage of life. And I would LOVE to meet up sometime. Wouldn't it be fun to do a meetup with other Substack writers? Is there a city that is centrally located that we could get to? ☺️
Tech issues against me today so instead of copying and pasting my Note I'll write another original comment. Keep doing the voice-overs! I listened to you while changing my sheets and you really bring it to life. Host or Ghost 🤣. As I mentioned in my Note I normally know when my periods are going to arrive about 2 days before but using your techniques and paying attention I was able to predict a week ahead that Aunt Flo was coming (who I called "Paula's Cousin" in my youth). This was extremely important because I'm in the phase of perimenopause where my periods are completely unpredictable and I don't want to be caught by surprise.
I know there's a way to make a comment into a Note but I wish that there was a way I could make a Note into a comment! I'll copy and paste later what I wrote in my Restack and put it here. It's not working in the app.
What a lovely treat to wake up and listen to the sound of your voice.
S
This is so interesting, and I wish I had discovered it sooner, but the big question for me now is what happens in perimenopause and menopause? I'm in late reproductive stage or peri, and my cycles are still on a schedule, but there are changes. I used to be able to tell when I was ovulating, and now I can't every month.
I am also about 5 years into perimenopause. Since practicing cycle awareness, I am managing menstrual symptoms so much better!
Who knew that after decades of endometriosis (which at 40yrs old got so much worse), I am delighted to say my symptoms are no more. Tracking my cycle and learning what a healthy cycle looks like, allowed me to listen to what my body has been needing. I have guinea-pigged myself through years of intense research and lots of prayer.
My cycle length is now the most stable it has ever been. I know the time will come when my bleed takes a hike and I skip. My plan is to continue to feel into each day's shifting energy and find my way through the weeds and woods when my cycle goes off the predicted path.
I will say that Shelby, who has been in peri forever, (right Shelby?), has been tracking her cycle and is now learning her unique signs and this last cycle was able to see herself transition into her Fall phase and knew the night before she was going into her inner Winter.
So I will not say all is lost. And I do think we can get our minds to bodies to be in agreement which helps us go with our own flow.
There is a great book called Wise Power. It walks women through the psychology to sync with the physiology of menopause. Highly recommended read.
I hope you start tracking just to really get to know this life phase of yourself. If for no other reason than when in post menopause you can use it as a tool for reflection.
Perimenopause is the stage of the chrysalis. So much going on internally and we are forced to stop and stay inward in some very personal ways, yet the outer world is moving on. I say, let it.
I know I've said this before, but this information is invaluable. All women should know it. I wish I had learned it as a teenager! Once I started tuning into my cycles, I had a better idea of when to make big decisions, when to do more intense workouts, when to sit and rest quietly, ect. By understanding my body, I no longer had to feel bad about not "pushing through" something. But maybe more importantly, I'm able to teach my daughter how to pay attention to her cycle. So grateful for your work! ☺️
Thank you Susan. I am excited to have so much more to share! Ready to hear about the nuances of that time between late Fall and Winter? I'll release that one soon. Thanks for being one of my favorite readers! Your encouragement from the beginning has been amazing.
Maybe one day we will meet up. 😊
Yes! I am so excited to hear about the time between late Fall and Winter since I am clearly in my Fall stage of life. And I would LOVE to meet up sometime. Wouldn't it be fun to do a meetup with other Substack writers? Is there a city that is centrally located that we could get to? ☺️
I have thought this as well! I think it's time for us to DM. 🥰
Sent you a direct message! 😍
Tech issues against me today so instead of copying and pasting my Note I'll write another original comment. Keep doing the voice-overs! I listened to you while changing my sheets and you really bring it to life. Host or Ghost 🤣. As I mentioned in my Note I normally know when my periods are going to arrive about 2 days before but using your techniques and paying attention I was able to predict a week ahead that Aunt Flo was coming (who I called "Paula's Cousin" in my youth). This was extremely important because I'm in the phase of perimenopause where my periods are completely unpredictable and I don't want to be caught by surprise.
I know there's a way to make a comment into a Note but I wish that there was a way I could make a Note into a comment! I'll copy and paste later what I wrote in my Restack and put it here. It's not working in the app.
What a lovely treat to wake up and listen to the sound of your voice.