Anti-Aging in Ridgefield, Washington

Menopause and Giving in to the Mystery

By Menopause Goddess, Lynette Sheppard

Early in my Menopause transition (euphemism for hellish maelstrom of horrifying hormonal events), so many things bothered me that I couldn't keep count. As the preliminary WTF freakouts of perimenopause and volcanic upheavals of The Big M are now mostly in my rear view mirror, I realize that some irritants that used to upset me simply don’t any longer. And that’s a real blessing.

For example, I used to be confounded and annoyed by the backhanded compliment "You look good…for your age." Now, heck, I'll take any compliment I can get without overanalyzing it for nuance or even honesty. I'll just focus on the "look good" part and thank the complimenter with sincere gratitude.

Being called ma'am initially was both disconcerting and horrifying. My mom is ma'am. And she just barely. I felt old and frumpy every time I was addressed in this fashion usually by someone only recently out of diapers, waiting on me in the store or bank.

But now, I gotta say, I'm okay with ma’am. You might say I've grown into it. Ma'am. Short for madam – now there’s a racy little thought. And when someone calls me "Miss"? I know they're just sucking up or trying to sell me something. I no way qualify for "Miss" anymore. Another thing in my rear view mirror and I don’t really miss it.

I've heard some of my friends and sister goddesses over the years complain about being invisible. And I've certainly experienced that evanescence myself when a clerk looks right past me to wait on some hot young woman. "Hey!" I'd want to yell. "I"m right here taking up space. Service me – or at least wait on me." (No I never did yell, I'd just clear my throat and say, "Excuse me, I believe I was here first." Which either worked or didn't.

However, now in my post menopausal incarnation, I find that I enjoy a certain anonymity, thanks to this decreasing visibility. I can slip in and out of places faster than a greased pig. Hawkers on the street miss giving me flyers. I love that.

And if I'm having a bad hair day? Or a fat day? Who cares? I'm invisible in the very best way and can just go about my business, carefree and happy. I don't have an image to keep up. I'm ma'am now, remember?

No, I'm not letting myself go – just letting myself be. So much easier when you aren't noticed that much anymore. Whew, what a relief. Forgetting things drove me absolutely stark staring mad in the beginning of my transition. Not so anymore. I'm used to it. I have workarounds to make my life work. I am the Queen of ritual and OCD in organizing stuff.

I just can't trust my formerly prodigious memory any longer to pick up the slack. And honestly, I can't get all worked up about it anymore. I exercise my brain as well as my body but neither are going to be in Olympic condition any time soon. Or ever. Hence the workarounds.

Lastly, not knowing the why of things sent me into an info gathering tailspin. Not all bad. I've learned (and shared) so much about the crazy Menopause journey through my incessant desire for understanding. And while I can learn and understand a lot, some things will remain incomprehensible. Maybe forever.

Like why I had hot flashes to the point of nausea and my friend Susan had nary a flush. Or why black cohosh works for some and not others. Or why I and others lose our hair while some women boast luxurious manes all their lives.

Overall, I've come to an acceptance that some things may never be clear. In a sense, I’m on a need-to-know basis – and apparently the great mystery has decided that I don’t really need to know. So be it.

Maybe the biggest change is this: I'm just going to enjoy the Mystery, however it plays out, whatever challenges or wonders await me 'round the next bend. That might be one of the secrets to aging gracefully. Maybe not. Then again, maybe.

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Local Results Your search returned 1 local result

  1. Josephine Drew MD

    Ridgefield, WA

    Phone
    (360) 887-9494

Nearby Results Your search returned 42 nearby results

  1. Christopher Bice MD

    Vancouver, WA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (360) 256-4060

  2. Kelly Owens ND

    Battle Ground, WA (About 8 miles)

    Phone
    (360) 687-0800

  3. Carey Gunn ND

    Vancouver, WA (About 11 miles)

    Phone
    (360) 695-5257

  4. Zora DeGrandpre ND

    Vancouver, WA (About 12 miles)

    Phone
    (360) 852-6020

  5. Peter Macris

    Portland, OR (About 15 miles)

    Phone
    503-283-4469

  6. Pamela Jeanne ND

    Portland, OR (About 15 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 720-8999

  7. Matthew Williams PA

    Vancouver, WA (About 16 miles)

    Phone
    (360) 735-8100

  8. Kimberly Suriano MD

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 284-5220

  9. Samantha Levine ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 281-6767

  10. Rebecca Provorse ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 222-1865

  11. Laura Korman MD

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 229-7353

  12. Linda Moore MD

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 229-7353

  13. John Collins ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 493-9155

  14. Moira Fitzpatrick ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 222-2322

  15. Tori Hudson ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 222-2322

  16. Stephanie Kaplan ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 222-2322

  17. Barbara MacDonald ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 222-2322

  18. Carrie Skinner ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 222-2322

  19. Jessie Speirs ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 222-2322

  20. Wendy Vannoy ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 222-2322

  21. Richard Kearl MD

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 274-4870

  22. Kim Webster MD

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 284-6385

  23. Char Glenn MD

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 274-9818

  24. Heather Krebsbach ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 224-7224

  25. Edythe Vickers ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 224-7224

  26. Adam Maddox ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 241-3579

  27. Peggy Rollo ND

    Portland, OR (About 18 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 223-7067

  28. Patty Brandon NP

    Portland, OR (About 19 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 226-6678

  29. Rosemarie Schild PA

    Portland, OR (About 19 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 238-5203

  30. Rosemarie Schild PA

    Portland, OR (About 19 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 238-5203

  31. Rose Paisley ND

    Portland, OR (About 19 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 287-4970

  32. Krista Tricarico ND

    Portland, OR (About 20 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 593-8900

  33. Cara Clark ND

    Portland, OR (About 20 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 252-8125

  34. Jennifer Gibbons ND

    Portland, OR (About 20 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 252-8125

  35. Judy Neall ND

    Portland, OR (About 20 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 445-7115

  36. Maggie Zadikov LAC

    Portland, OR (About 20 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 234-3219

  37. Maureen Becker ND

    Portland, OR (About 20 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 736-9900

  38. Randi Ledbetter MD

    Portland, OR (About 20 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 297-4774

  39. Russell Marz ND

    Portland, OR (About 20 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 233-0585

  40. Kelley Reis ND

    Hillsboro, OR (About 23 miles)

    Phone
    (503) 693-0904

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