Without Health I Would Die.

navigating teens and menopause

I don’t know about you, but in my life…

I’ve never worked harder.
I’ve never parented harder.
I’ve never been more sleep challenged.
I’ve never appreciated quiet time more.
I’ve never valued my health more.
I’ve never been more thankful for exercise.

My commitment to health is so steadfast and true these days that I swear it’s the only thing pulling me through one of the most challenging times of my life. If I was someone else, I would drink my ass off every night. Seriously. If I was someone else, I would become a burner. But I’m not someone else, I’m me. And ME knows that I can’t handle anything but straight and narrow. It’s hard enough as it is to make the ends meet. It’s hard enough as it is to parent teenagers and aim to do so with any level of stoicism and grace. To do it and NOT feel physically good? There’s no way.

I feed every cell healthy food. I take every opportunity for deep sleep. I make myself drink water, and more water. As if I could flush some of the challenge out of my life. (And I do, it works.)

I remember toddlers in tiny leggings from Old Navy. What I wouldn’t do for a moment sitting on the couch with a glass of wine after a day of parenting a toddler! Toddlers are child’s play where parenting is concerned! Shit man, I could parent two toddlers with my eyes closed, hands tied and a horrific hangover!

Teenagers? Aw, hell no. You got to be sober for that shit. Stone cold sober, on your toes and well rested. Drinking kale + apple juice, lots of dog walks and workouts that make you strong like bull. A few fast and hard runs with music blasting in the headphones. An early bedtime. Stealing spare minutes to stretch on the floor. All of it on repeat. Next will come a meditation practice. After I finish all the taxes and straighten out the health insurance issue, get all the bills paid, organize everyone’s doctors and dentist visits…

Corralling young adults as you make your way through menopause takes courage. (And somehow, no one has prepped you for just how much courage you will need.) How can you really sleep when one precious daughter is driving back to college in the black of the night and the other is nearing a late curfew? I literally fight off the night sweats, headaches, brain fog and the rest of it by THROWING salads at the symptoms. More water. Naps between clients. I’m sorry to curse…but I’m too fucking tired to juice and clean up the mess. I pull out the juicer anyway. Take a longer walk with the dogs. No headphones this time. Just quiet. Letting my head melt off my shoulders and becoming one with the trees, the bees.

Another breath, please and thank you. Feeling the support of the air circulate through my clear lungs. I love you air. I’m just one foot after the other. Another step. Another breath.
Yes!
It’s good.
I can do it.