.png)
Speaking out can be empowering and help you feel connected!
There is so much negative stigma surrounding Menopause that it sometimes makes me ask myself, can we truly break the bias? Women often know very little about it, therefore society generally knows even less. Menopause is often viewed as;
"a time when a woman is no longer fertile is growing old and is less attractive than before. A woman is often seen as less of a woman after menopause."
Therefore we should own our truth, speak out and make our voices heard and become at peace with the problems menopause can sometimes bring. No two women have the same experience, but the experiences can be brutal. I believe you can then move forward in your power.
So what really is the problem?
With the world progressing more and more digitally, there are still so many negative stigmas attached to Menopause. I noticed it a lot because spending time in the digital world is at times emotionally draining and as I talk to people about my book I often see their eyebrows raise, as they ultimately confirm this topic is new to them.
I recognized many women seeking support from their faceless, digital friends, which, in some senses is great, but wouldn't it be even better if we felt we could get that support closer to our real worlds? I see women reaching out, and expressing their concerns and fear. Often regurgitating the same experiences of despair, with GPs giving little to no advice or providing information that is not consistent. This attitude affects women and their daughters, who think that Menopause is all about hot flushes and becoming infertile. It has a detrimental impact on many other relationships as well. I hear women tell me after reading my book or other menopause books for that matter, that they are shocked to learn so many new things that they had never heard anyone utter a word about before.
Lack of awareness...
When even professionals are not consistent in offering support to women during menopause, this is a huge problem. When the description of Menopause is limited in its view, it can leave women and those around them stuck with this biased mentality. When relationships are being affected and often break down, there can be negative financial implications and children can suffer.
Women are often missing out on career and job progressions that they deserve due to the lack of knowledge of their employers, this too can lead to experiencing avoidable mental anguish. I myself know how difficult it can be when your body begins to change and you experience new health problems that affect your day-to-day existence; brain fog, hot flushes, emotional outbursts to name but a few. The emotional pain can be crippling, especially when you are not aware of what is going on with yourself physically and emotionally. This lack of awareness and understanding further impacts people's ability to be transparent with their issues because it is often seen as embarrassing.
Own your truth and speak out!
If I could wave a magic wand, I would ensure that all women and men were taught about Menopause from an early age. We would live in a world where we all had better awareness of the complexities, therefore the world would be filled with people who naturally demonstrated more compassion and respect for all women in their prime.
People would see the value of wisdom that only generally comes with age and experiences but they would also understand that Menopause can appear prematurely as well.
Fractured relationships between mothers and daughters would not be a regular occurrence and my generation would continue to heal old wounds with their newfound understanding.
Each woman, being able to understand other women, such as their own mothers, holistically and empathetically because, in reality, Menopause symptoms and experiences are vast and can be complex. Women would not feel the need to hide away, they would know that this is a time when they can truly excel just as much as the next person.
We all have a part to play, we truly are our sister's keeper. We can start in our own homes, talking to our children and families to normalize this amazing transition. Only then will society follow suit.
Menopause doesn't have to be the worst experience in a woman's life - let's ensure that we normalize it.
So, let us all teach our children and partners about the vast experiences we have. Let us speak openly about it in our workplaces and ask for the support we need. Let us work together, it is not something that can be achieved alone. Practice changing your communication and start to speak out in a positive way and remember "I am my sister's keeper". Only then will we be able to #BreakTheBias.
Have a great International Women's Day. Celebrate all that you are, all that you have been, and all that is yet to come.
Start living your best life today.
If you are yet to read the highly recommended book, reach out now and get yours today.
Use code breakthebias2022 for discounts throughout the whole month of March.
All orders come with a free 33 page 'Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation' eBook and a free bookmark.
Join the Sisterhood today by clicking on the links below:
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller
#MenoDiaries #MenopausalJourney #MenopauseBooks #SayItSister #Sisterhood #BreakTheBias #InternationalWomensDay #EmpoweringWomen #SelfCare #SelfLove #WorldBookDay2022 #Readers #Nonfiction