Charlotte's Menojourney

In January 2020 I was 47 and menopause wasn’t even on my radar until I went for my annual check up to renew my prescription for birth control pills. When the Doctor asked me how I was, and I actually thought about it, it occurred to me that I wasn’t OK. At all. I was cross all the time. I was forgetful all the time. I was tired all the time. My nether regions didn’t feel right either when I thought about it. I’m so grateful my Doctor was understanding and prepared to listen once I’d started blathering on.

Anyway, the upshot was I came off the pill so that my body could sort itself out without artificial hormones interfering. When I got home that evening, I told my husband I was likely perimenopausal, I’d come off of the pill and we were going to have to start using condoms instead. His reaction was ‘Oh brilliant! That’s made my day that has.’ He wasn’t joking.  Although it was a slap in the face, he actually did me a favour. It was what people call ‘an epiphany’. I told him and the kids they could get their own dinner and I spent the rest of the night online, researching all things menopausal. I did the same thing the next night and eventually made my mind up. Things were going to change!

I sat my beloved husband and 2 kids (well at 20 and 18 and both at work they hardly qualify as kids but anyway) down and told them my plan. They didn’t appear impressed but I didn’t care. I joined a running club and downloaded a Yoga app, I changed our diet completely (particularly unpopular), and instead of spending every minute I wasn’t at work doing

household chores, I gave my husband and both kids a list of jobs so that I had time to myself. All their toys got thrown out of their prams immediately, but I didn’t budge. I had realised that I’d spent years running myself ragged, waiting on my family hand and foot, and it was as much as any of them could do to rustle up a mother’s day card once a year.  So, now it was my time and Christ did I let them know it! The first time there were no clean underpants because someone had ‘forgotten’ the laundry, there were tantrums galore. But I was adamant. And I was enjoying it if I’m honest.

And then; Covid happened. Literally a week after my meltdown we went into lockdown. As terrible as it was, it gave me time to get into my groove. My husband and I worked from home, but both the kids were still out at work every day. Yes we all got the dreaded lurgy eventually, but we were fine and by the time we emerged back into real life I had a routine. It couldn’t have been better timing for me.

So now I run twice a week with a buddy I met at my local running club. I do 20 minutes of yoga every morning before I go to work. I have banished all ultra processed food but for the occasional bag of crisps and a weekly bag of malteasers (I’m good but I’m not a saint). I’m in bed at 10:30 every night and I do 10 minutes of mediation with another app, to help me drift off to sleep. And I feel good... really good actually. I know I’m not 21 anymore obviously, but I’m coping with all my symptoms.

The best bit though? I lost 18lbs, I haven’t put it back on and I wasn’t even really trying to lose weight. Plus, my son also took up running and comes with me most weeks. Also, my daughter has really stepped up to help me with the cooking and we cook something special most weekends now.  

I wish I’d made the changes years ago. That is what I wish I’d known; just how effective eating well, sleeping well and moving my sorry back side would be. Plus, I’m not a bad mother or bad wife if I ask the husband and kids to pull their weight.

My recommendation is Lube! I buy it from Boots on line (love those advantage points) because I still can’t get over the embarrassment of buying it over the counter which is a bit silly but that is what the internet is for, frankly.

Happy MenoJourney ladies.