I spent the last several years just not feeling myself. I would constantly say to myself things like:  ‘I used to love to do this - what happened, what’s going on with me?” and “I want my energy back - what can I do?” Well, lately I can feel it coming back to me. The it being my energy, me doing things I used to do - like putting on makeup and even dressing nicely. 

I hadn’t done anything differently so I decided to do a little research and came across the term “postmenopausal zest” - there’s so much about this period in my life that I knew nothing about - in fact I spend all of my perimenopause not knowing that was a thing and that I was going through it. I’m glad we (GenX-ers) are starting to talk about it. 

During my brief research I came across an article on Oprah Winfrey’s website Oprahdaily, entitled “What If Your Menopause Is Actually Your Renaissance?” - a couple of months ago I would have had the energy to even care about Renaissance or anything positive, but now it is intriguing. 

Now my energy is returning but also I have become more cognizant of how I use my time. I love the idea behind the title but don’t feel like reading the whole article. The first paragraph is enough for me – and I can create my own definition/story behind it.

“Any major life transition can be a chance at reawakening, even if the road is rough. While the general mindset in the Western world is that menopause takes things away from us, the untold story is that it’s also busy endowing us with new gifts.”

I am interested in exploring all of this – postmenopausal zest as a renaissance – in more depth, as I enter post menopause. I’m loving the ideas of postmenopausal zest being characterized by a shift in attitude, where I may start to view this life stage as a period of opportunity rather than decline. An opportunity to take the time for personal reinvention – to pursue new hobbies, interests, or even a new career path.

Without even knowing that “postmenopausal zest” was a thing I am feeling more energy and I have been (for the last couple of years) working on reinventing myself. 

This to me is exciting because in silencing all the voices that say you have to be continuously working (or you look like a slacker and we won’t hire you) and taking a moment for yourself, to do a reinvention, is frowned upon. In both cases others tend to look at you as a slacker.

In Conclusion

It all depends on how you would like to look at things - but this post menopause is feeling good (right now). 

I keep hearing Women my age saying they just don’t care what others think or have to say - and I’m happy to be in that group of Women. I have been able to speak up and say ‘that’s not for me” – to people who normally try to define me. At times, out of shock for that person, it’s been a rough conversation but I’ve gained the ‘zero-fs’ mentality and hence my confidence to stand strong in myself.

I don’t know what post menopause has in store for me but many perimenopause & menopause have prepared me for the journey.