I just want to know when I can jump off the ride? Perimenopause at the age of 36 and full blown menopause at the age of 40. Now about to turn 53 and still under its thumb. Not a candidate for HRT due to high cancer rates in my family. I swear there are days when I don't know who I am. I'm over it.
Wow Jen thank you. I loved this. I read it twice. I feel this. And felt so much of this.
I have so so much to say about menopause. So very multi faceted. I was in my late 40s. I barely slept. Hot cold on off. Yes. Best sex ever in my life. Not a shy bone in my body. Im thrilled to have had the lights on let's go time of it. However. These companies. They try to make women feel all kinda stuff. Seriously. Do you have body odor. Are yiu wet are yiu dry. Do yiu need a pp.pad. really. Why. Bc we're 50 and alittlr older. Whatever. Bc they're scares of us. We're smart and not afraid to.open our mouth and speak up. So they dump fear our way thinking we'll be sidetracked. Dont even get me started.
I’ve been post-menopausal (or whatever you want to call it) for two years, writing and chronicling my own journey for years—and my biggest issues has been the commodification of menopause. And I’ve been guilty of being sucked into some of the things. And now? I don’t know. On one hand, the becoming and unbecoming of this age and stage has been eye-opening. And on the other hand—I’m exhausted from just trying to go thru my day as if I’m the same person—who just needs to eat more protein. 🦋🫠
The protein alone is a full time effort and job. Not to mention everything else. It’s again- why can’t we just be whatever we are at the moment? If women were ever just left alone to be exactly who they are in THAT moment then maybe we’d be allowed to age however we choose. AND feel about it however we choose. We’ve been so twisted, shaped, conditioned and molded into unsustainable products- on purpose- that we cannot even allow ourselves to just go through this stage however they hell our bodies want to feel and whomever we want to be that given day. It so beyond infuriating to me.
Dude, menopause can go f*!k itself twice, that’s how much I hated it. My ma told me, The good news is it takes about 10 years total! Me: “Mama, how is that *good* news?!?!” Well, I guess because it’s not all at once?
You have summed up my thought perfectly! The patriarchy - the ‘« M » industry berating me again making me feel like menopause is something I need to conquer and fit in a marketed way a « menopausal » person must look, eat, exercise and feel.
Damn. All this hit hard. I didn't realize how many of those GenX fads I had tried. I too am tired of the damn mold, it's done nothing but instil doubt and put me in bad places. Thanks for the reminder and morning empowerment.
(By the way, I used Black Cohosh Root for the hot flashes. It's natural and inexpensive and I only had to use it for a couple of weeks.)
Damn, Jen. LOVE the poem. So raw and honest. And yes, invisible when not providing some service - sex, housekeeping, motherhood... or using our wallets. Thanks for sharing!
Ugh…this is striking so many chords. I’ve been studying, within myself, the word “just”. The constant inner monologue of, “If I just had more time, I could work out. If I just had more motivation, I could be ripped (cause that’s a thing to do in our 40s and 50s now). If I just had more money, I could get that facelift and be DONE with this. If I just…If I just…If I just…“ But right, Jen? You said it…Invisible to whom?! Who AM I showing up for?! Who’s on the other side of that finish line?! That’s a lonely, f-ed up thought on its own!! Yeah I’m tired of chasing the version I’m supposed to be. That elusive carrot and I hate carrots!!!! Here’s to arriving at someone I choose to be…maybe for the first time ever. Also, “and how it’s such a flex, To feel unseen yet so free, While still getting fucked, by the patriarchy”!!!! On. the. nose. Love it.
Loved this and man am I over the pause! Popping in to also state my own pet peeve, menopause is technically one day. So, we are marketed products that are for one day. Peri and Post are the majority of the issue, because menopause is actually, ONE DAY, one year, no blood. Most don’t know this, and they actually challenge the definition, because we are so truly ‘miss’informed.
My wife has just started going through perimenopause and says to get ready for a surprise because it’s going to be like riding the Siren’s Curse at Cedar Point .LOL
I just want to know when I can jump off the ride? Perimenopause at the age of 36 and full blown menopause at the age of 40. Now about to turn 53 and still under its thumb. Not a candidate for HRT due to high cancer rates in my family. I swear there are days when I don't know who I am. I'm over it.
I hear you. Why not just be that then- whoever you feel like being that day.
Wow Jen thank you. I loved this. I read it twice. I feel this. And felt so much of this.
I have so so much to say about menopause. So very multi faceted. I was in my late 40s. I barely slept. Hot cold on off. Yes. Best sex ever in my life. Not a shy bone in my body. Im thrilled to have had the lights on let's go time of it. However. These companies. They try to make women feel all kinda stuff. Seriously. Do you have body odor. Are yiu wet are yiu dry. Do yiu need a pp.pad. really. Why. Bc we're 50 and alittlr older. Whatever. Bc they're scares of us. We're smart and not afraid to.open our mouth and speak up. So they dump fear our way thinking we'll be sidetracked. Dont even get me started.
Thanks for sharing, Annie! Best sex ever? This gives me something to look forward to! Better book O Force One, baby. 🤩
O force one!!! 😂😂😂
🤣🤣 I’m not abandoning my dream. Let me have my fantasy. 🤣🤣
Yesss
It’s not just a rhyme. Definitely in time. Thanks for this one. Every word.
Absolutely LOVE THIS. I’m thrilled you’re coming out with a podcast, cannot wait.
Xxxxx
I’ve been post-menopausal (or whatever you want to call it) for two years, writing and chronicling my own journey for years—and my biggest issues has been the commodification of menopause. And I’ve been guilty of being sucked into some of the things. And now? I don’t know. On one hand, the becoming and unbecoming of this age and stage has been eye-opening. And on the other hand—I’m exhausted from just trying to go thru my day as if I’m the same person—who just needs to eat more protein. 🦋🫠
The protein alone is a full time effort and job. Not to mention everything else. It’s again- why can’t we just be whatever we are at the moment? If women were ever just left alone to be exactly who they are in THAT moment then maybe we’d be allowed to age however we choose. AND feel about it however we choose. We’ve been so twisted, shaped, conditioned and molded into unsustainable products- on purpose- that we cannot even allow ourselves to just go through this stage however they hell our bodies want to feel and whomever we want to be that given day. It so beyond infuriating to me.
I feel every word of this.
Dude, menopause can go f*!k itself twice, that’s how much I hated it. My ma told me, The good news is it takes about 10 years total! Me: “Mama, how is that *good* news?!?!” Well, I guess because it’s not all at once?
You have summed up my thought perfectly! The patriarchy - the ‘« M » industry berating me again making me feel like menopause is something I need to conquer and fit in a marketed way a « menopausal » person must look, eat, exercise and feel.
Damn. All this hit hard. I didn't realize how many of those GenX fads I had tried. I too am tired of the damn mold, it's done nothing but instil doubt and put me in bad places. Thanks for the reminder and morning empowerment.
(By the way, I used Black Cohosh Root for the hot flashes. It's natural and inexpensive and I only had to use it for a couple of weeks.)
Thank you!!!! I will try!
Damn, Jen. LOVE the poem. So raw and honest. And yes, invisible when not providing some service - sex, housekeeping, motherhood... or using our wallets. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly!!!!!!
Ugh…this is striking so many chords. I’ve been studying, within myself, the word “just”. The constant inner monologue of, “If I just had more time, I could work out. If I just had more motivation, I could be ripped (cause that’s a thing to do in our 40s and 50s now). If I just had more money, I could get that facelift and be DONE with this. If I just…If I just…If I just…“ But right, Jen? You said it…Invisible to whom?! Who AM I showing up for?! Who’s on the other side of that finish line?! That’s a lonely, f-ed up thought on its own!! Yeah I’m tired of chasing the version I’m supposed to be. That elusive carrot and I hate carrots!!!! Here’s to arriving at someone I choose to be…maybe for the first time ever. Also, “and how it’s such a flex, To feel unseen yet so free, While still getting fucked, by the patriarchy”!!!! On. the. nose. Love it.
Yessssssss. I owe you an email my friend. So sorry been insane busy.
Please, noooo worries at all. :-)
Loved this and man am I over the pause! Popping in to also state my own pet peeve, menopause is technically one day. So, we are marketed products that are for one day. Peri and Post are the majority of the issue, because menopause is actually, ONE DAY, one year, no blood. Most don’t know this, and they actually challenge the definition, because we are so truly ‘miss’informed.
My wife has just started going through perimenopause and says to get ready for a surprise because it’s going to be like riding the Siren’s Curse at Cedar Point .LOL
Ha