Menopause and Emotions | You're not "Crazy"
- Dena Bradford
- May 28
- 2 min read
Menopause and Emotions.
No, You're not going crazy.
Or.
Maybe You Are.
It's ok though, because we're all a little touched.
I remember walking in downtown Oklahoma City a couple of years ago with one of my old Army buddies. Although miles and distance separate us -- there are moments when we connect and pick back up like no time has passed.
Walking, I asked him how his mom was, and he said she's gotten grittier. She's given her husband designated times that he is allowed in her kitchen, given him his own bedroom and bathroom and notified him that -- he is now responsible for cleaning after himself. She let him know that if he doesn't like it -- well -- "there's the door".
I must admit, I understand the emotion with that one in my here and now. It's not that I don't love my husband, or my children. I'm just tired. I didn't get it at the time my friend told me the story, but I do now.
As we age and lose progesterone and estrogen, those hormones that make us agreeable in our youth -- giving us more patience to entertain certain things like we once did -- dwindles.
Our focus becomes less about supporting others, and more about saving our inner peace.
Our time.
Our energy.
In some ways, I wonder if there is a generation if us longing to go live on a compound, or in a shared house like our own unique versions of the Golden Girls.
What would I do with my husband? He could visit.
I'm kidding. We're all kidding...right?
I think. The answer depends on the day. It is the shift of the midlife journey for women. Navigating who we are and what we want in life once more. This time without all the energy boosting, feel good hormones.
Men become more agreeable and loveable as they age. Testosterone loss and increase in estrogen levels show in the midsections and in the attitudes of fathers who once raged but are now happy, generous grandfathers. Who are these men? I've looked in my father's direction more than once and wondered -- is this real -- as my children run through his home shouting and leaving a trail of cookie crumbs. He laughs it off, just happy to be in the space of happiness.
Such is the cycle of life navigating menopause and emotions.
Or is it?
GO DEEPER
1. I created some videos over on Youtube if you want to explore more on hormones and why we feel the way we feel during menopause and andropause. You'll also find some tips and tricks. Check out the series here.
Enjoy some freebies in the form of checklists and workbooks related to hormone symptoms on my freebies page here.
Keep checking back. I'll be building a library to support self-care during the midlife journey over the next few months.
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