Not Waving But Drowning
Is the title of one of my favourite poems.
It’s about a drowning man, thrashing about in the water, who was mistaken for waving.
The poem by Stevie Smith touched me deeply the first time I read it and still does.
Perhaps it touches me because as a Yoga teacher and menopause coach, I have worked with many women who were giving the appearance of waving, when they were barely keeping their head above water.
It also resonates with me personally.
During my journey through peri menopause there have been countless days where I felt like I’d swam too far out.
Panicked, anxious, insecure.
Not able to feel the ground underneath my feet.
Do you feel like you’re treading water right now?
Here’s what I want you to know about peri menopause from where I’m standing, 7 years on:
You WILL be OK
Like everything in life, this is impermanent, it won’t last
It doesn’t define you but it will shape your future SELF (Spoiler alert! She’s STRONGER, more FEARLESS, more FREE and more ALIVE than she has ever been before).
If you’re treading water right now, I also want you to know that don’t have to go it alone.
Please love
Find a coach, trainer, therapist, counsellor, herbalist, hypnotist, reiki healer, hormone expert or whatever YOU need.
If you don’t know what you need reach out to someone who can help you figure it out.
Suffering in silence is not a test of strengthÂ
And it is unnecessary in this day and age
Find someone to help you clean up your diet, exercise appropriately for your new body, teach you how to breathe properly and meditateÂ
Go to bed early and wake up early
Rest when you need it
And when you don’t
Stop hurrying
And worrying
And sweating the small stuff
Go gently with yourself
And If you’re still struggling, look into HRT
Later on, when dry land is in sight, look out for me and all the strong and powerful women who have gone on ahead.Â
We’re all here waiting for you
With hot chocolate and fluffy towels.
And guess what…..?
WE’RE WAVING!Â
