I was about to have some mischevious fun with this post and the image accompanying it, but then things took a turn.  Stay with me now … I was at a fun party recently having “a time” (as we often do).  Then I had not one but two women no less approach me to chat (I assumed about the fun time being had), but no … they immediately brought up menopause.  Me (inside my head): WTF?!?  Did I wear a “Talk to ME About Menopause” sash?  Nope.  What a buzzkill.  It’s not that I don’t wanna talk about that … but not at a PARTY!!!!  I’m down to talk about it but maybe over coffee or something.  Before I could slip away to TALK TO ANYBODY ELSE,  these women were casually chatting away about being old and having hot flashes and all this other related stuff (neck pains, back pains, etc.).  

And yes, it’s a reality of life and if we are all lucky enough, we will get to experience the beauty (and challenges) of aging.  I guess this was particularly annoying for me because it seems like a recurring theme.  A group of women out and about having a lot of fun and then somebody mentions getting/being old.  And the funny thing is that many times, these women are in their forties (or less). I think a lot of this has to do with how our society (particularly America) seems to suggest that a women starts to decline in desirablity (deteriorate, become invisible, damn near die) at around 30 (or less!).  It’s so strange because I would argue that most women haven’t even begun, or even understand their level of beauty, intelligence, desirability, swagger, independence, or even what brings them joy, until way beyond 30.  A friend sent me an article recently where the headline screamed (in dismay no less) that women over forty claim to be having the best sex. My friend asked (via text), “Who are they talking about?” And I wrote back simply, “Me (smiley face, cartwheel, hearts emojis).”

Ladies – I beg you … please stop throwing in the towel prematurely. Please look at yourself as the amazing, stunning goddess you are – no matter your age.  And as we grow older, stop saying “old” like it is a bad word. Embrace age by being your best self.  Take care of yourself. Exercise, eat well, surround yourself with good people, laugh, be sexy … leverage the confidence that life experience brings. Become the queen that you may not have been when you were younger – or dust her off and re-emerge. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t acknowledge menopause or any of the other things that come with aging, but have fun when it’s time to have fun, party when it’s time to party and embrace joy every chance you get.  Oh and if you meet a man that looks like the one at the intro of this post – please put your neck and your back into it (and let’s talk about THAT at the next party).

BTW, a queen, actress, producer and director Halle Berry just launched a very cool new site RE-SPiN focusing on menopause, where women can get access to “world-class experts and compassionate coaches, science-backed solutions, and the support of a vibrant community of women.” Halle says that she and her team want to erase the stigma and re-brand menopause. Of course …  a queen AND a super hero.