Magical Menopause Retreat Day

Reflections on our magical menopause day

So much to process and ponder following our Menopause Retreat Day held in the magical Chalice Well Gardens, Glastonbury.

It has been fascinating having the opportunity once again to process the different seasons and stages of my menstrual cycle, and hormonal life cycle from menarche to now postmenopause.

It was the fourth time I participated in this deep proce Menopause Awareness

ssing / somatic / healing work – the first time was nearly 10 years ago when I first went into early menopause. I was in so much shock and grief that I could not engage with it and sobbed outside.

The second time I was assisting on a course so I was a little detached and happy to observe others as they learned about the different seasons of the menstrual cycle.

The third time, was with Kate & Leora 3 years ago, I remember still feeling grief, anger, and resistance to the workshop, like an angry toddler, at having to be there – despite organising the day for myself and others.

Round 4!!!!

This time round……. Post-Menopausal – and still feeling angry, frustrated and exhausted. I realised I had stopped thinking about my menopause at all – almost forgetting it conveniently tucking it away – which was actually quite liberating. Maybe I was in the denial phase of my diagnosis….. Or maybe the atomic, explosive bomb of my more recent ADHD diagnosis (which explained why my menopause symptoms were so severe and debilitating) overshadowed the grief I felt about my early menopause. I was now grieving the life I could have had if only I had, had I known I had ADHD.

Being re-introduced, and going through this process again, I noticed the missing emotions of grief and anger I had previously felt so strongly…… I realised I must have arrived at acceptance.

Reacquainting myself with the transition through menopause, and relearning the different stages and their emotional, psychological, and physical impacts on a person, offered so much self-compassion for my own story.

Hearing other women’s experiences from the depths of despair to feelings of liberation and excitement for this amazing opportunity for deep inner healing and coming home to oneself.

I was reminded how bloody important it is to acknowledge this transition – this final incredible turbo-charged opportunity for spiritual growth and evolution.

Nearly 10 years on, I still have symptoms; memory, brain fog, fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, and temperature fluctuations. I’ve aged an awful lot and now feel the effects on my muscles and joints.

I have been thinking about the impact of my diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Failure on my health – apparently, I am likely to die earlier and I am at higher risk of Alzheimer’s too. I cannot ignore this anymore.

Thank you so much Kate for reminding me of the importance of self-care and prioritising health. And thank you for reminding us of the importance of rest…… but most of all thank you for the reminder to not be so hard on myself for being scatty, forgetful, tired, moody, and operating at a much less dynamic and productive pace than the patriarchal and society makes us believe this is the only way to live.

Treatments that I offer supporting perimenopausal symptoms as well as the psychological effects of symptoms, transition, and aging include:

Women’s Wellbeing Massage and Womb Healing – Abdominal / Sacral / Womb Massage and healing to support the nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems.
Reflexology for hormonal balance, anxiety, overwhelm and stress
Gentle Release Therapy for feelings of grief, loss, anxiety, overwhelm & stuckness.

You can listen to Kate’s podcast interview which I contributed to ADHD and perimenopause here:

Healing and Nourishing Treatments for Women's Health

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I am a Holistic Therapist working in Wrington, North Somerset offering Reflexology, Holistic Massage, EFT, Reiki and Gentle Release Therapy supporting women’s wellbeing.

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