To say that perimenopause and menopause are a bewildering time of life is an understatement. Between emotional and physical changes, it’s a short leap to feeling like Mother Nature has hijacked your body. On top of that, there’s so much conflicting information that it’s often difficult to know what steps to take to feel better and when to take them. What if I told you there’s a way to get from Point A to Point E with a lot less pain and drama?
I’ve worked 1:1 with hundreds of women over the past 10 years. I’ve written a book about perimenopause and the challenges that come with it. I’ve moderated a group of over 8000 women on Facebook as they’ve told their stories about the issues (and victories) in their perimenopause and menopause journeys.
As these women and I have walked the path together, I’ve discovered that moving from the out-of-control feelings of the beginnings of perimenopause to feeling confident and at home in your skin again tends to follow a certain set of steps on the path to coming home to yourself.
Where are you on the path?
Panicked Paula
Panicked Paula is starting to experience things like anxiety, weight gain, mood swings, insomnia, sometimes hot flashes, and fatigue. She’s not sure why these things are happening to her and her doctor brushes off her concerns. Paula feels scared and alone and perimenopause is not even on her radar screen. It feels as though Mother Nature has hijacked her body and that each day is a struggle!
Wary Wanda
Wary Wanda has done some diving down the Dr. Google rabbit hole and is beginning to learn that perimenopause is a “thing.” But she’s not sure which resources to trust or what to do first. She’s read that lifestyle habits play a big role in the perimenopause experience. However, she’s skeptical that simple things can make a big difference. Wanda decides to focus on and commit to making one change for a month. She’s still feeling pretty alone and is searching for others who are experiencing the same things. Wanda finds a couple of support groups that are helpful and she begins to notice that she’s more curious now than fearful. Her habit change seems to be working!
Curious Cathy
Curious Cathy has a much better understanding of what’s going on with her body and is beginning to trust her intuition about what’s best for her on this journey. She sees and feels the benefits of the changes she is making. Her research suggests that there are supplements that can be helpful, and she decides to seek out an expert who can help make the right choices rather than standing in the supplement aisle at Whole Foods and winging it. Cathy incorporates the suggestions into her self-care routine. Her community is supportive and she’s so glad to have found a group of women who discuss perimenopause and menopause openly. Cathy feels much more hopeful and energetic!
All-In Amy
Amy’s got it going on! She pays attention to the signals her body is sending and is able to discern what works for her and what doesn’t. Amy regularly makes healthy choices and feels absolutely no guilt when it comes to taking care of herself and putting her needs first. Her hormones are balanced. Her relationships with her family and body are much improved. She no longer views her body as the enemy! Amy has begun to share her journey with others because she sees the benefits of her own work. She feels proud, successful, and inspired.
Savvy Susan
Savvy Susan has walked the success path. She is very knowledgeable about the hormone changes that occur in perimenopause and menopause. She feels fantastic and understands that there will be speed bumps but knows how to roll with the changes. Susan knows where to look for answers and is fully willing to invest in her health to keep and protect her balance. She happily shares what she’s learned so that other women will have the resources to navigate their own journeys. Susan feels at home in her skin again!
Walk the Path Forward to Feeling Good Again
Just to be clear, while women generally fall into one of these stages, walking the path is often not linear! This probably goes without saying, but it can sometimes feel like you’re taking one step forward and two back. This is normal and very much OK!
Whether you found yourself in one persona or in pieces of each of them, I want to ensure that you are getting the right information you need for your body. Too often women rely on Dr. Google which is unfortunately now filled with so much misinformation unless you are a trained health professional, you don’t know how to decipher between fact and fiction.
In addition, forward progress is often much easier when you have your Sisters to consult and hang out with. That’s why I’m creating the Savvy Sisterhood. This is a membership group designed to move you along the path to becoming Savvy Susan more quickly. You’ll become armed with more tools in your toolbox with me as your mentor and guide.
Savvy Sisterhood Community
The group launches in September and if you want to have first dibs on membership, click here to sign up for the waitlist (and get details about the membership). Our Founding group will get special pricing and I’m capping membership at 100 women to start with so that I can really focus on helping those members. My waitlist ladies will be able to sign up a full day ahead of everyone else and it will sell out.
Be sure to get on the waitlist here —> www.drannagarrett.com/waitlist
See you in the Sisterhood!
Dr. Anna Garrett is a menopause expert and Doctor of Pharmacy. She helps women who are struggling with symptoms of perimenopause and menopause find natural hormone balancing solutions so they can rock their mojo through midlife and beyond. Dr. Anna is the author of Perimenopause: The Savvy Sister’s Guide to Hormone Harmony. Order your copy at www.perimenopausebook.com.
Dr. Anna is available for 1-1 consultation. Find out more at www.drannagarrett.com/lets-tal
