Redefining Menopause - Embracing The Journey
Redefining Perimenopause - Embracing the Journey
Perimenopause is often portrayed as a challenging and unsettling time, marked by unpredictable symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and disrupted sleep & western medicine attempts to medicalise the process. Viewing perimeno solely through the lens of discomfort however, misses the profound opportunities it presents - rather than seeing it as a problem to be managed, we can redefine it as a natural and empowering transition, offering the chance for growth, self-discovery, and a deeper connection with oneself.
Perimenopause as a Natural Life Transition
Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause, where the body gradually transitions out of its reproductive years and at this stage, often beginning in our 40's, it can last several years and is often accompanied by various mental, emotional & physical perimenopause symptoms due to fluctuating hormones. It is often a time where our unhealed trauma's & stresses come to the surface which can be challenging. Instead of seeing these as negative, we can instead view Perimenopause as a time of renewal - a gateway to the next chapter of life and an amazing opportunity to deal with this unhealed trauma & finally move on as a stronger more fulfilled & grounded woman.
This period offers a unique opportunity to shift focus from the external demands of life to a more inward exploration of personal needs and desires. As fertility declines, women can find freedom from the pressures of reproductive health, allowing space to explore new passions, deepen self-care practices, and embrace the wisdom that comes with life experience. It’s a time to reassess priorities, reconnect with the self, and embark on a journey toward greater authenticity - this is the much more positive side of perimenopause that is often missed.
Cultural Perspectives on Perimenopause
Different cultures around the world offer valuable insights into how perimenopause can be seen as a positive and transformative life stage:
Japan: In Japan, perimenopause is considered part of the "konenki," or "renewal years." This period is not viewed with dread but as a natural transition. Japanese women traditionally report fewer symptoms of perimenopause, partly due to a diet rich in soy but also because of cultural attitudes that see this life stage as an opportunity for renewal. Instead of focusing on the difficulties, perimenopause is viewed as a time to embrace a new phase of life with grace and acceptance.
Indigenous Cultures: Many Indigenous cultures hold older women in high regard, seeing them as the "wise women" or "elders" of the community. In these societies, perimenopause is not seen as a loss but as a time of ascension to wisdom and authority. Women in this stage are often revered for their knowledge and experience, and their voices are respected in communal decision-making. This perspective highlights the idea that perimenopause is a time when a woman’s influence and value can grow rather than diminish.
Ancient Greece: In ancient Greece, perimenopause was seen as part of the transition from the role of the "mother" to that of the "crone," a figure embodying wisdom and deep knowledge. The crone was respected, not as a symbol of decline but as a powerful and wise elder. This view encourages us to see perimenopause as a time to embrace the accumulated wisdom of a lifetime and to step into a role of greater self-assurance and influence.
Embracing Perimenopause: A Personal and Collective Shift
To fully embrace perimenopause as a positive journey, it’s essential to shift both personal attitudes and societal narratives. This starts with rejecting the stigma that associates perimenopause with aging and decline. Instead, we can choose to see it as a period of reinvention and self-discovery, where we can focus on our well-being, pursue new interests, and deepen our connection to ourselves.
Embracing perimenopause might involve exploring wellness practices that honour the body’s natural processes - practices such as Somatic work, breathwork, mindfulness, yoga & natural health remedies such as Homeopathy, herbal medicine & optimum nutrition which can support us in healing & help us improve our overall mental & physical wellbeing during the transition. It is also very much a time to cultivate more solid self love and self compassion, understanding that this period of change is natural and offers such a big opportunity for personal growth.
Collectively, we can support this redefinition of perimenopause by coming together in spaces where women can share their experiences, offer support to one another, and celebrate this stage of life. Open conversations about perimenopause can also help demystify it and reduce the fear and anxiety often associated with this transition which is fueled by mainstream media / medicine.
Conclusion: A New Vision for Perimenopause
Perimenopause, when viewed through this beautiful alternative lens of empowerment and renewal, offers us a profound opportunity to reconnect with ourselves and embrace the wisdom and strength that come with age. By redefining perimenopause not as a problem to be solved but as a natural and positive life transition to be embraced, we can transform our experience from one of loss to one of gain—from a time of ending to a time of new beginnings, leading to a richer more fulfilling phase of life where our focus is on inner fulfillment instead of external expectations. A time of celebration, honouring our bodies & the wisdom we have gathered along the way.
If any of this resonates, I hope you will come & join us on our Perimeno
Lots of love & growing wisdom
Kerry
Ps: Get our free Calm & Connected In Perimenopause - our 10 day short video course of Somatic practices to help you self regulate & connect with your inner self
