Brushstrokes of Balance: Menopause is finally breaking out of its shell

(Image created with AI using ChatGPT DALL·E) 

Perimenopause has been kicking my ass. 

When I first had the "brilliant idea" to add a women's health section to this blog, I was in the thick of it. I had just lost a dream job. My hair was falling out. I couldn't sleep. I had no appetite. I cried without warning. And I was dragging around a garage full of emotions I didn't have the energy to unpack.

I had so many plans for Brushstrokes of Balance. I wanted to write honestly about what my body was going through. I wanted to amplify stories from other women facing the same invisible battles. I wanted to highlight research, articles, podcasts, anything to help break the silence around menopause.

But the fog of perimenopause wouldn't let me lift a pen.

Until now.

So what changed? Honestly, I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. The depression that anchored me down started to ease up. My curiosity came back. My voice returned. And I knew it was time to pick up from where I left off.

Just this morning, I opened Spotify to catch up on Dr. Sanjay Gupta's podcast Chasing Life. There it was, two full episodes on menopause. And not just that, he handed the mic to CNN's Meg Tirrell to host them. Finally, someone understood the assignment.

Let a woman lead the conversation on women's health.

• Making Sense of Menopause

• How Samantha Bee is Surviving Menopause

Then, as if the universe wanted to make sure I really got the memo, I saw a headline in my inbox from The New York Times: "10 Menopause Myths Experts Can't Stand."

    TLDR

Myth 1: It’s just hot flashes. 

Myth 2: ‘Everything’ is a menopause symptom. 

Myth 3: Hormone therapy is dangerous. 

Myth 4: Hormones are the only treatment option. 

Myth 5: ‘Natural’ treatments are safer. 

Myth 6: You just need to tough it out. 

Myth 7: Symptoms don’t last long. 

Myth 8: Your sex life will never be great again. 

Myth 9: Perimenopausal women can’t get pregnant. 

Myth 10: Going through menopause is always awful.

And just like that, the words rolled in: Menopause is finally breaking out of its shell.

And here's the good news. So am I.

This space is open again. I'm back to share my truth, tell the stories, and reconnect with the version of myself that has something to say. Whether you're deep in perimenopause or just starting to notice the shift, Brushstrokes of Balance is for us.

I may not experience hot flashes often, but when they do appear, usually while I'm sleeping, they remind me that something inside is still stirring, changing, and evolving.

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• Let's Please Talk About Menopause
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If you have a story, new research, or artwork that is ideal for Brushstrokes of Balance: The Art of Women's Health, please send your pitches to TamikaCodyJournalist@gmail.com. 
Please include "Women's Health" in the subject line.