Tag: perimenopause

  • Let’s talk real about self care

    Let’s talk real about self care

    After attending a networking group recently, I have felt compelled to write about this topic.

    Let’s be real for a second… self-care often gets treated like the sprinkles on top of life. Cute, nice-to-have, but totally optional. But here’s the truth I learned the hard way: ignoring your wellbeing comes with a cost — and its way more expensive than you think. If you don’t listen to your body when it whispers it will start shouting.

    Here’s a story – Once upon a time, you are “killing it” at work. On paper, your life looked shiny and successful. Behind the scenes? You are running on fumes. Anxious, restless, completely wiped out. Eventually, your body hit the brakes for you. You might end up spending months in bed, and over a year unable to work. Zero energy. Zero income. Zero joy. Honestly, it will be a wake-up call you will never forget.

    That’s why I’m so passionate about this: self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s survival. And when we skip it, here’s what usually happens:

    ✨ We “unwind” with wine instead of actually relaxing.

    ✨ We shop to feel better instead of moving our bodies.

    ✨ We scroll for hours instead of processing our emotions.

    ✨ We snap at people we love because our own boundaries are frayed.

    ✨ We guzzle coffee because we refuse to give ourselves the rest we need.

    That’s not care — that’s compensation. And it drains us more than it restores us.

    So, let me ask you this: are you choosing habits that genuinely fill you up, or are you just patching over the cracks? Real self-care isn’t about bubble baths or spa days (though those are lovely). It’s about tending to your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health every day. It’s about making sure you stay whole — because burnout, illness, and resentment are a much higher price to pay.

    Self-care is not the side dish. It’s the main course. And choosing it daily? That’s where your energy, joy, and resilience come from. It’s hard to take time for yourself when you have always done for others but if you don’t by the time you get to perimenopause you will feel it and wish you had done more earlier.

    Does this resonate? Get in touch or join my Facebook group to chat more.

  • What Is a Menopause Doula—and what do they do?

    What Is a Menopause Doula—and what do they do?

    When you hear the word doula, you might think of birth or postpartum care. But did you know there are doulas for menopause, too?

    That’s right—there is a growing group of trained professionals whose mission is to support people through the major hormonal and life transition known as perimenopause and menopause. They are called menopause doulas, and their work is a quiet revolution in how we care for people in midlife.

    If you’re navigating changes in your body, mind, or identity during this time—or even just wondering what to expect in the years ahead—here’s what you need to know about menopause doulas and how they can support you.

    First: What Is a Menopause Doula?

    A menopause doula is a trained support person who walks alongside you during the perimenopause and menopause transition. Their role is non-medical, non-judgmental, and deeply holistic—offering emotional, practical, and often spiritual support tailored to your unique experience.

    Think of a menopause doula as a compassionate guide. Someone who:

    • Listens without rushing or minimizing
    • Helps you understand what’s happening in your body
    • Offers grounded, personalised resources
    • Supports your emotional wellbeing
    • Holds space for your questions, grief, shifts, and celebrations

    They’re not here to diagnose or treat. They’re here to witness, support, and empower you through one of life’s biggest—and often least understood—transitions.

    Why Might Someone Work with a Menopause Doula?

    Many people enter perimenopause feeling confused, anxious, or completely unprepared. Symptoms can be physical (hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue), emotional (mood swings, anxiety, grief), and existential (Who am I now? What’s next?).

    Here’s why someone might seek out a menopause doula:

    • You’re overwhelmed by symptoms and information.
    • You feel alone in your experience.
    • You want support that goes beyond short doctor visits.
    • You’re making medical decisions and want clarity.
    • You’re going through surgical menopause.
    • You’re grieving the loss of fertility or identity.
    • You’re ready to approach this transition with intention.

    A menopause doula offers the kind of attuned, personalised care that’s hard to find in our current healthcare system—and makes a world of difference.

    What Does a Menopause Doula Do, Exactly?

    Menopause doulas tailor their services to each client, but here are some common ways they support people:

    🪷 Emotional Support

    Menopause can stir up big feelings—from anxiety to grief to unexpected joy. A doula offers a safe space to explore these emotions without judgment.

    🪷 Symptom Navigation

    From brain fog to night sweats, symptoms can be frustrating and confusing. A doula can help you track patterns, explore lifestyle adjustments, and prepare for medical conversations.

    🪷 Lifestyle & Wellness Support

    Doulas often offer guidance around sleep, nutrition, movement, and rest—always centered around your values, not one-size-fits-all advice.

    🪷 Partner & Family Support

    Need help communicating what you’re going through? Doulas can help loved ones better understand and support you during this time.

    🪷 Medical Advocacy

    They can help you prepare for appointments, clarify questions, and sort through your options—so you feel confident, not overwhelmed.

    🪷 Space for Transformation

    Above all, menopause doulas create space for reflection. Who are you becoming in this season of life? What are you ready to release or reclaim?

    What’s the Difference Between a Doula and a Doctor or Therapist?

    A menopause doula doesn’t replace your doctor or therapist—they complement them.

    • Doctors focus on diagnosis and treatment.
    • Therapists support emotional and mental health.
    • Doulas hold space for the full picture—body, mind, and spirit—with a deeply personalized and relationship-based approach.

    In a world where most appointments last 15 minutes, doulas offer time, spaciousness, and presence. Many people say it’s the first time they’ve felt truly seen during menopause.

    You deserve support

    You do not have to go through menopause alone.

    Whether you’re just starting to notice changes or deep in the thick of it, know this: you are not broken, you are becoming. And having someone walk beside you—someone who sees your wholeness, not just your symptoms—can make all the difference.

    Menopause doulas are here to help you feel grounded, informed, and supported. Because this transition matters. And so do you.