113: An EMPOWERING way of looking at “PERIODS,” “PERIMENOPAUSE,” and “MENOPAUSE” - let’s ALL talk about it
This is a listen for EVERYONE, not just those who experience these transitions. The more educated all of us can be, the more supported and empowered we all become.
I have the words period, perimenopause and menopause in quotes for a reason. These transitions were not always labeled this way. Do you ever wonder WHY they were created or WHO created these labels?
What if we look at these life transitions differently? Instead of seeing them as something we fear or dread or as a hardship, what if we take the approach of our indigenous elders and ancient wisdom and see them as times of shifting wisdom and times of empowerment and strength?
So instead of calling these transitions and experiences periods, perimenopause, and menopause, we go back to our elders who saw them as CYCLES and rhythms of bleeding or not bleeding, liminal spaces that allow for rest and high and low energy, paying attention to the cycles of the moon, the cycles of our bodies, the rhythms of nature.
indigenous and ancient wisdom keepers who saw these times as shifts into wisdom, new seasons, new rhythms. Shifts in our energy. Shifts in our power. Not something to fear or survive. Instead of shaming and suppressing what if we, collectively, CELEBRATED these transitions and honored the wisdom that comes within each?!
I want to notice how my body, mind and spirit shift when I bleed and how I experience each phase differently. I want to embrace this time of fluctuation in my cycle where everything looks and feels different and instead of dismissing or silencing or being angry at what is happening, I embrace curiosity and wonder WITH my body, mind, spirit about how things are shifting. And ASK myself: what do I need? What would be supportive? What is being communicated with me right now?
I’m not saying these times don’t come with challenges and pain and frustration. People’s experiences range from mild to debilitating and they can just plain suck. I’ve experienced some symptoms in every transition so far that have been rough and yet, my body and mind are always giving me information to look at in order to address whatever is showing up. And this will look different for every body. It’s not always easy but it’s also not something I want to run from or dismiss or hate.
We ALL need to be educated and empowered by what half the population experiences.
Reclaim!!
Have agency!!
Reframe!!
Empower yourself and others!!
Use your cycle to your advantage.
No more hiding.
No more disrespecting our bodies.
Work WITH your cycle not in resistance to it.
Show your pride and ownership
No more giving away your power and feeling shame about what you are experiencing.
Name your experiences without shame. We bleed, we stop bleeding. And there are myriad experiences in between.
This is my invitation to all of you: make a tiny little shift toward embracing these major life transitions. Honor yourself. Honor your sacred wisdom. Be gentle and gracious with yourself.
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