The Initiatory Journey of Menopause – coming home to ourselves
Menopause… what does the word bring up for you? Is it fear or fascination? Dread or excitement?
For many women, the transition of menopause can bring up feelings of negativity and resistance, and I believe this to be mainly down to the stigma that society has placed on this perfectly normal, healthy transition in a woman’s life. Menopause happens to every single woman and our bodies and minds are designed for it, but there is such a huge negativity around it from society and this has become engrained on most women’s psyche. What if there was a new way to look at it, a way that leads to freedom, joy and fulfilment? Wouldn’t that be a healthier, more healing way?
For me, menopause is for sure a change, but a change that brings many rewards and teaches us how to know ourselves a whole lot better, and a change that allows us to say yes to ourselves, possibly for the first time in our lives. Women spend much of their lives in service to others, taking on board so many various duties and responsibilities, and find that as menopause approaches, they have less energy for it. All perfectly normal. In the cycle of a woman’s life, there are times to be active and out there, and times to rest and be more inwards. For anyone who has practiced ‘menstrual cycle awareness’, they will know this to be true. As we cycle around the month, different energies emerge and each month, there comes a time when rest and renewal are non-negotiable. So it is with menopause…. we are in the part of the cycle of our lives when we need to down tools a bit and re-evaluate what our lives need to look like. Change indeed is on the horizon, and oh how joyous to take quiet times, reflective time, time with other woman going through the transition, and get to know ourselves a bit better. Cycles are part of nature too, look at the seasons and how nature has times of full blooming and times of rest and renewal. The rest and renewal give the impetus for a fuller blooming, so is a seriously important messenger for us too.
When we understand more fully the menopause journey, much resistance falls away…. and as a result, many of the ‘symptoms’ fall away too. Our bodies are trying to tell us something when symptoms become overwhelming and they are asking us to slow down, listen and make some changes. This really is the most amazing time in a woman’s life if she works it well.
My training in menstruality and menopause, along with my own menopause journey, have guided me into sharing with other women the keys to coping with, and making the most of, both our monthly cycle and menopause.
Come along and learn more at a new monthly support group for women in peri-menopause or menopause, or indeed for any woman that wants to know herself better and prepare well for the journey. There is nothing like a supportive group of women all on the same track to inspire, heal and bring joy and laughter to the experience. Held on one in four Wednesday evenings, you will gain support, understanding, tools and techniques, and enjoy a session of lovely, deep relaxation at the end to send you off home relaxed and at ease. Relaxation is one of the key ingredients for the menopause or menstrual journey. Click here for more details or to book or feel free to contact me for more info.
All blessings Nalini x