When I embarked on my mission to revolutionise the way in which women experience the menopause and set up a business that champions a different way to view the big M, I didn’t imagine that it would be this hard.

I’m not talking about how hard it is to start a business from scratch (as I’ve done that 4 times already and know the pain!). I’m not even talking about how difficult it is to get noticed in a world where everyone has something to say. I’m talking about how my own menopausal symptoms would get in the way.

You see I’ve been a glass half full gal for such a long time with a positive outlook on life that I totally forgot how the rubbish reality of the menopause could actually affect me.

BIG mistake … and one that I blame on my hormones (natch!).

Out of the 34 acknowledged symptoms of the menopause, I have been dealing with about 25 of them over the last 5 years. Some are there all the time; others come and go; sometimes I have all 25 of them at the same time. I’ve coped with them, with varying degrees of success (in fact, it was because of my own experience and the lack of help and support, that I started my business in the first place). But these last few weeks, it’s low mood and anxiety that have got me in a half-Nelson headlock!

For someone whose business is based around helping women master their menopause mindset and make the big M work for them and not against them, this really sucks! I mean, I really should have my sh*t together and my ducks in a row, shouldn’t I?

But even though I know what I ‘should’ be doing to help myself and know that even ‘shoulding’ in the first place is not helpful, I’m finding things tough. In fact, one of the reasons I haven’t been very active on social media recently, is because I want to ‘hide’ from everything and everyone. At this precise moment in time, I feel as though the ‘joy’ has been sucked out of me. I’m not even looking forward to my holidays … and I have two of them booked in quick succession.

So how do I get myself out of this funk? Well, the first thing that experience tells me (anxiety and low mood are not new to me), is that these feelings will pass, and I won’t feel like this forever. I have spoken to my marvellous Medical Herbalist, who is posting a magic tincture to me, and I will take small actions everyday so I can keep on keeping on. Continuing with my gratitude journal is also a must for me. I may not be feeling the joy in life, but I am always grateful.

Practising what I preach is my motto at the moment, so I am making sure I only do the things I really need and want to do, and only see the people I really need or want to see. I’ll also do my best to meditate for 10 minutes every day (it really does help to clear the mind and stop overthinking). And everything else will have to wait. It’s as simple as that.

Anyway, what’s the point of this article I hear you cry? Well, the menopause may not be a mental health problem in and of itself, but it sure as hell causes mental health issues. During this Mental Health Awareness Week, I’ve been inspired by others talking about their battles with mental health, so it only seemed right that I come clean and share the battle I’m having with mine right now.

I also wanted to let you know that, no matter what your education, profession, knowledge, skills, training or experience, it’s OK not to be OK, and it’s most definitely OK not to have your ducks in a row. In fact, those ducks can just go and duck right off!

Until next time,

Louise x