We recently took our first trip to the mainland to see family in two and a half years. Wow. So wonderful to reconnect. However, in that two and a half years, I had forgotten how and what to pack. There is so much stuff I need post-menopause just for maintenance.
I need moisturizer with a good SPF sunscreen. I need those compression socks for long airplane flights (and all flights are long from Hawaii). I need a full pillbox – most of which are supplements. Acetyl-l-carnitine for memory, Co-Q 10 for heart health, D3 for strong bones, free fatty acids for heart + (a vegetarian fish oil), Benadryl to sleep. Those chewable pink tablets just in case of an upset stomach. Don’t forget, we now need N95 masks and hand sanitizer. Lastly, my epi-pen in case someone slips me some iceberg lettuce accidentally. Sigh.
But then I started to muse on what I no longer need now that I am officially post-menopausal. And the list is pretty long.
I no longer need to wear glasses or contacts thanks to my cataract surgery. Woo hoo!
I don’t need sanitary napkins or tampons. Ditto Midol.
I don’t require birth control of any kind.
I don’t need running shoes – I just walk now.
I don’t need high heels – actually, I never did.
I don’t need more holes in my ears (two in each is plenty).
I don’t need perms every six months (those chemicals are deadly for thinning hair – I just keep it long, it’s easiest. And a bonus – it finally has its own natural curl.)
I don’t need a gym membership – I have tons of exercises right on my phone.
I don’t need a desktop computer – my laptop is fine.
I don’t need a big suitcase for travel – I travel more lightly even with all the maintenance necessities. (Though if I’m too lazy to pack efficiently, I’ll use a big suitcase and just throw everything in. It doesn’t have to be full.)
And finally, I don’t need to be hard on myself if/when I forget something. Menopause is a journey – and I’m just going to enjoy the ride.
Help me Jesus’ with this menopausal journey
I had grandmothers, mothers, aunts, female cousins, and sisters and not one of y’all cared enough about me to tell me of this hellish stage in my life? You could have at least told me about these automatic sweat showers that arise from nowhere, you could have told me that I would never sleep again, and you could have mentioned these drought conditions down under. You have failed me! This hurts. I especially appreciate all the advanced warning about this rouge chin hair! How dare you!!!!!!!
Hi I am Nasreen
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Hi Nasreen and welcome. I’ve subscribed you to the blog. Lynette