18/10/2025
Today, 18th October, is World Menopause Day.
Long post alert!
To every person worried about aging, especially sisters out there going through peri or full menopause.
We live in a world obsessed with beauty and youthful looks so itโs no wonder many of us can begin feeling insecure as the aging process starts making more noticeable physical changes to our outward appearance.
As teenagers, when we are going through significant physical changes we are reassured that this is happening to us because we are becoming an adult.
When a woman reaches peri or full menopause there generally arenโt any reassurances about what we are now becoming as post reproductive females.
Maybe itโs time we looked at much more positively framing what we are becoming in this next phase of life?
It is believed that the role of post menopausal Orcas (Killer Whales) who live anything up to 30 post reproductive years, is to impart vital knowledge and wisdom to the rest of the pod and support younger females in successfully rearing their offspring. Alongside 3 other species of whales, they are the only other animals known to go through menopause. I am sure us post menopausal humans have a vital purpose too! Letโs start articulating it and celebrating our worth! Getting through a raft of difficult symptoms will be so much easier if we can see the positives of what we are transitioning to โฅ๏ธ.
Coming back to the aging thing, I look at these photos of me taken 33 years apart. Most of the time Iโm fine with how I look now, though thereโs no denying Iโve aged and filled out. What the 21 year old me doesnโt have, and I would never trade for younger looks, is a lifetime of experience and the wisdom that comes from that.
I am happy to be the older me and, at last, I am also fiercely proud of the younger me who had to go through all that learning not knowing her true worth at the time.
In this next phase of my life, I look forward to valuing myself as that older female, and to sharing my knowledge and wisdom with others in need of guidance and support.
My looks will change but my intrinsic value as a human being wonโt!
I spent a few moments thinking about what the older me would say to the 21 year old in the photo.
Hereโs what Iโd say:
Dear younger self,
There will be good times and challenging times ahead. You have everything within you that you need to navigate both calm and stormy waters.
The opinions of others are just that. Listen to those you respect, the rest is just noise, but still make up your own mind and follow your own path. What is right for you will ultimately be right for others too, even if they canโt see it at the time.
Itโs ok to make mistakes as part of your learning and growth. Make any amends needed, embrace the lesson and then forgive yourself quickly and easily. To carry feelings of guilt or regret beyond this is stopping the world from getting the best of you.
Only you can define your own true worth; others can only know you as they are able to perceive you through the filters of their own minds. Donโt sell yourself short for anyone.
Know that your heart is good and you have much to give. That will always be enough and you will always be enough as you are โฅ๏ธ.
What would the you of today say to your younger self?
If youโre still here thanks for reading this long post and please share it if it resonates. Someone may just need reminded that getting older is ok!
