Self-Care in Transition
The Part of Self-Care No One Prepares You For
Sometimes the Universe asks us to slow down before the body makes the message impossible to ignore. This reflection is about listening before powering through becomes the pattern.
I have been going through a self-care transition that has challenged my entire psyche and the way I focus on my body. It started when the Universe made it clear I needed to slow down and prioritize self-care.
The Universe sends signs, small ones at first, then big explosions if you ignore them. I have hit my explosion. I am writing this to explain why you have not heard from me recently, and to share what I have been going through because I believe there is a lesson here.
I went from being a mover and a shaker, doing shows, holding sound baths, and seeing clients, to cutting much of that in half. The hormonal havoc of menopause showed up as exhaustion, lack of willpower, bouts of depression, isolation, joint pain, limited movement, and sleepless nights.
I am not shy about discussing menopause, because it is rarely talked about and women end up powering through it alone. It is not just a physical transition. It can be neurological, emotional, and deeply humbling.
Recently, I listened to another woman share how one comment about her weight gain sent her into a deep depression. In that moment, I held her hand and listened. That conversation reminded me how many people are powering through their lives while self-sacrificing their care.
The Universe will send signals when you are out of alignment. If ignored, the signs only get bigger. I am learning to put my mind and body first because when you are out of balance, the body will eventually shut down whether you are ready or not.
Transitions Are Not About Powering Through
- Attention first.
- Then awareness.
- Then support.
- Then action.
The journey will come with fluctuations, including failures, but it is essential to get back up and try again. Be relentless in your self-care. Say "not good enough" when you do not get the attention you need. Go in a different direction if you hit an impasse, and keep going until you find what works.
This journey applies to anyone powering through something right now. Take a look at the signals in your life and ask what needs attention. You do not have to power through alone.