Menopaced: a way to be

Menopause feels like a long process. At first, you don't know what's going on. Later, you know and get informed. Finally you reach a stage of acceptance. As metabolism slows down, the mind gets fuzzy, and suddenly you allow yourself to be.

It took a while until I realised I was going through perimenopause. Symptoms started with frequent migraines, insomnia got worse, periods became irregular. Irritability was ongoing, anxiety as well, triggered by various life and family events. Until my levels of oestrogen dropped to 0.0 and a specialist confirmed: "You are fully menopaused". I felt relieved.

It was not the end of the road. Symptoms are persisting. You are left with some options: HRT, no HRT, homeopathy, exercise, yoga and you gradually design your new life diet. "Getting a life" is helping, love and friendship help as well. Chatting remains a must. Exchanging tricks with pals, everyone's got a different story, its' comforting, noone really enjoys it, but some cope better than others.

Menopause makes you aware of growing older. But you are also lucky to begin the second part of your life. A stage of acceptance of who you are with new potentials and limits, a marvellous incentive to be fully involved in your Yoga practice.