Not My Mother's Menopause- Chapter Eight – A Grace Full Life
First, I came across this post a few days ago:
Journal Prompts for When You’re in a Journaling Rut
Which has nothing to do with this topic or menopause, but I’m having fun with it and plan to use one of the prompts (what three things am I most looking forward to this week) every week at the start of my podcast, and I thought it would encourage you as well.
Here’s what I’m looking forward to this week:
A massage
My migraine doctor appointment (you’ll have to listen to the podcast to understand)
Warmer weather
This week, I’m sharing an important chapter from the book. I discuss my own mental health concerns during perimenopause, as well as how women and perimenopause have been viewed historically.
It’s not good.
First and foremost, I want to share the essay that sparked my book-writing process, Pause by Mary Ruefle. If you haven’t read it previously, please do so. In my humble opinion, it is one of the most essential pieces of menopausal writing on the internet.
It prompted me to finally reveal my perimenopause experience in depth on my blog in February 2020, with this blog post.
As always, the complete text of the chapter may be found at the top of the blog under the Menopause menu, or by clicking here.
Here are some important links I would like to share with you:
The American History of Silencing Women Through Psychiatry | Time
The Slow Moon Climbs | Princeton University Press
How did menopause become a woman’s “disease”?
What three things are you looking forward to the most this week?
Are you experiencing struggles with your mental health during menopause? If you don’t feel comfortable discussing anything here, you can always email me (gracefullkari@yahoo.com)
In what ways do you feel misunderstood in your life? How can I “see” you?
A Grace Full Life 
I am most looking forward to celebrating my eldest’s 18th birthday! We’re also planning a trip to the bank to open his first checking account. And I’m looking forward to the book order I just placed for my youngest son to come in this week so we can really see what his Freshman year of homeschooling will look like.
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That’s so exciting!!
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I like the idea of that journal prompt, I’m looking forward to going to Notre Dame with Mini for admitted student day this week, to watching Curly’s travel games, and my writing group. Tough to choose because I’m also excited about Saturday’s warm weather forecast.
I don’t think I’ve had mental struggles related to perimenopause, but I could see how that would happen. Hormones are rough.
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That’s exciting! I bet she’s excited too. 🙂
I’m so glad you didn’t experience any mental health issues.
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I recently read an article in The Guardian who quoted a researcher as saying “We literally know less about every aspect of female biology compared to male biology.”
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/13/the-female-problem-male-bias-in-medical-trials
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This doesn’t surprise me at all.
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I am looking forward to: the wine tasting we are hosting tonight, seeing movie The Duke, and trying a burger at a place I’ve been looking forward to trying
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OOH! That sounds fun! 🙂
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💗💗
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🙂
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What a great essay, thanks for sharing that. I am so sorry about your migraines, and your mental health struggles as well. Menopause is no joke, that’s for sure.
Things I’m looking forward to this week: I have a walk with a friend planned, and – hopefully, we’ve had to reschedule several times – friends for dinner on the weekend. What else, what else. Maybe it won’t snow? That will be something to look forward to!
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I must mention that the entire book is not depressing. This is something I think I should bring up in the upcoming podcast LOL. But you’re right: it’s no laughing matter.
Walks and dinner with friends are always something to look forward to! It just snowed here the other day, so you’re in good company. 😉
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I’m so happy about your massage! I had one last week and it was SO FREAKING LOVELY.
Good lord. The whole asylum thing. It reminds me of The Witch Hunts of the past. People didn’t fully understand what anyone was going through and assumed the worst. *sigh*
This week I’m so excited about seeing my dentist. (I love having my teeth cleaned. I mean, I love my teeth after they are cleaned)
We are finally getting our ice machine fixed after months of waiting for parts.
Looking forward to getting more of my gardens/landscape in place after all the work on our house. (painting, decks, irrigation, etc created a mess)
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IT WAS WONDERFUL. I felt like a bowl of Jell-O after.
It’s very unfortunate how society assumes the worst of humans when we don’t understand. Why do we fear what we don’t understand?
There are so many things to look forward to! I love that for you. 🙂
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Three things I’m looking forward to this week: getting together with three different friends on three different occasions…including a visit from a very special friend and her daughter tomorrow!!
Thank you for the journal prompts.
Your book is eye opening and sorely needed. You somehow have to get it out there! My menopause journey has not been as difficult as yours or from others I’ve read (thanks for the links)…my anxiety definitely became worse and yes, I thought about running away from home and yes, I felt/feel invisible. But the physical stuff has been bad, too. Lack of estrogen really does a number on your body.
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I’m looking forward to seeing you as well! I would have included it if I hadn’t recorded it before we made plans LOL.
I love journal prompts. I take screenshots of them when I see them online and use them in my soul homework.
The loneliness, I think, was the most difficult since it was mental rather than physical. It was like being in a crowded place and feeling isolated. That is why I could relate to the women in the asylums. It sickens me to think of how women have been treated historically, yet we don’t hear much about it.
I’m sending you a big hug for everything you’ve been through. I’m so happy I’ll be able to give it to you in person today. 🙂
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Well of course I remembered your post, but not what I said as a comment. And isn’t that about the most menopausal thing ever? 🙄
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LMAO-I’ve had more menopausal moments this week alone than I’ve had in the past five years.
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Looking forward to more packing, car shopping and starting classes again. Not so much the latter because of the format, though it reminded me that I WAS going to take myself on once a week “dates” to different places but never followed through. I started a post about that which I may now finish, or not!
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All of those things are fantastic things to look forward to! (Maybe not the packing LOL)
I haven’t actually taken myself out on dates, but I happened to check at my list of date ideas the other day and realized that I had followed through on every one of them in some form or another, which was a pleasant surprise. Talk about manifesting.:)
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