Beyond Powering Through: Redefining Self-Care in Life’s Biggest Transitions
The Part Of Self-Care No One Prepares You For!
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 this April when the Universe made it clear I needed to slow down and prioritize self-care. In this downturn, I’ve had to deeply reflect on what I am meant to see and understand. The Universe sends signs—small ones at first, then big explosions if you ignore them. I have hit my explosion. I’m writing this to explain why you haven’t heard from me recently, and to share what I’ve been going through because I believe there’s a lesson here!
For those women out there, you’ll understand the effects menopause has on the body. For men, it’s not something easily understood. I went from being a mover and a shaker—doing 4–6 shows last year, conducting 6 sound baths a month, and seeing 30 clients a month—to cutting all of that in half. The hormonal havoc of menopause showed up as complete exhaustion, lack of willpower, bouts of depression, the need for isolation, extreme joint pain that limited my movement, and sleepless nights.
I’m not shy about discussing menopause, because I’ve found through speaking with friends and colleagues that it’s rarely talked about, and women end up powering through it alone. It’s not like catching a cold or just having your monthly cycle; it’s like being hit by a dump truck! It’s not only a physical transition but a neurological one, too, and it can be debilitating. You have to ride the wave of highs and respect the wave of lows when they come. I refuse to believe we’re meant to suffer through this. That’s a false truth I won’t accept.
Thankfully, more women are starting to speak out about menopause. Halle Berry herself has opened up, even advocating for a legislative bill—the first of its kind, I might add—for education and research. Watch the video below if this resonates with you! It’s about leaning into an issue, not leaning out and powering through. Powering through isn’t awareness; it’s ignoring the signs!
Recently, at a conference, I did an exercise on the power of listening. I ended up sitting next to a woman who was on the same journey. This woman was also going through this transition, but her experience was even more intense. She shared that one comment about her weight gain spiraled her into a suicidal depression. At that moment, I held her hand and just listened, even though I had my challenges because that was what she needed.
That conversation got me thinking. How many of us power through our lives, self-sacrificing our care? How many of you put everyone else’s needs before your own? The Universe will send signals when you’re out of alignment, and if ignored, the signs only get bigger. I’m learning now to put my mind and body first because when you’re out of balance, your body will shut down whether you’re ready or not.
I’ve also realized you can’t do it alone. The mind sometimes can’t snap back into place on its own. That’s why I say it takes a village to restore balance. My self-care includes reaching out to my support system—naturopaths, doctors, and PTs—to help put me back in alignment. I’m taking this time so I can get back to offering you all the channeled workshops, classes, and new products I have in mind.
This journey isn’t just mine; it applies to anyone powering through something right now. Transitions (and self-care) aren’t about powering through. They’re about:
- attention then
- awareness then
- support then
- action
The journey will come with fluctuations, including failures, but it’s essential to get back up and try again. Be relentless in your self-care. Say “not good enough” when you don’t get the attention you need. Go in a different direction if you hit an impasse, and keep going until you find what works.
This is my lesson right now and likely through next year. 2025 is a #9 year—a year to close the books on old lessons. For me, that’s about having a healthy relationship with my body, food, alcohol, and exercise. What’s yours? Have you taken a look at the signals in your life to understand what needs attention?
If I can support you in opening space to focus on something that’s keeping you out of alignment, reach out. Don’t power through alone!
