Is the menopause transition the ultimate liminal space in our lives?

Learning from the Alchemy of Menopause

In perimenopause, we are in a liminal phase.  Liminal space refers to the place a person is in during a transitional period. This is where one thing ends and another is about to begin, but you are not quite there yet, you are in the space between.

We are often given the message that ‘average’ menopause lasts 3 to 5 years and then you are in Second Spring. And often we try to push ourselves, criticize ourselves, and have bouts of impatience with ourselves for being in this 'in between' phase. 

I was telling myself that it had been taking me too long.  But if we look at the traditional views of Chinese medicine it can be 20 years from the initial changes in early perimenopause to stepping fully into the Second Spring. it's a long process, a lot is happening.

I may have physically stopped bleeding 12 years ago, but this kind of menopausal processing, this liminal space began years after I stopped physically bleeding. That's when I began the shift from 'other 'focused to being more 'self' focused. I was pretty depleted when I left corporate, so there have been a lot of years that were about recovery and replenishing. 

The short space post the corporate departure I thought would be enough and once I recovered I would/should be ready to go with a new business.  That's not quite what happened. 

In reality that short recovery gave me enough energy to begin the work on myself more directly.

That's when I had the energy to look at what were the unconscious motivators. That's when I had the energy to take an honest look at myself.  

This difference between physically stopping bleeding and entering this liminal space makes me wonder if menopause has more than one meaning, layer or stage.  That it affects our different bodies (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) in different ways and at different times. 

We are working our way in. It's moving from the physical to the emotional, to the mental to the spiritual, to the collective and then back again.  Bringing back what you've gathered, the gifts you've gathered; the more true, authentic self you've become. 

And then, consider going out and intentionally offering something to the world again.  In my context, this shift towards Qigong and Acu Oils feels like I will have a new kind of offering; that comes from this liminal phase I've been in/am going through.  It doesn't negate what I offered before.  I will have a depth that comes from having gone on THIS journey.

For those of you who may not know I have been accepted to train for 6 months under Daisy Lee, the world’s foremost women’s qigong teacher to become certified to teach Radiant Lotus Women’s Qigong. I have filled with gratitude for this opportunity to learn from a truly radiant soul and share this with you. Sta tuned for more this autumn

What’s Popping For Me This Week…….

On Thriving Thru Menopause this week I was joined by Janet Omstead to talk about the power of PLAY in supporting good healthy habits. I loved every moment of our conversation. Movement can be FUN and there are countless opportunities for functional exercise to be incorporated into our daily life even if we don’t set foot in the gym. Join the conversation here

Books, books and more books

It is wonderful to see so many great books to inspire us on our menopause journey. I am taking two full weeks off at the end of July and early August to digitally detox and am pulling my reading list for the week. Below is the picture so far but what else would you suggest I dive into?

Coming in first we have..🥁…menopausal leave

According to IFA magazine, menopause leave tops the list of trending employee demands in 2023 followed by mental health support and 4 day working week. Check out the article in full

Thank you for joining and continuing to be engaged with the newsletter. Do drop me a line if you like something or want me to dive into a particular holistic menopause topic.

Till next week stay well

C x