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SOULjourners,
Menopause is a natural + profoundly sacred, feminine experience, not solely defined by the absence of menstruation, rather, it's about the soulful transitions that touch wombmen of various ages, opening the door for transparent conversations long before its arrival.
Our latest soul care design, Soulful Transitions: MenoGarden Musings, encourages intergenerational dialogue, dismantling the barriers around menopause.
More than a mere stationery + gift collection, Soulful Transitions aims to foster connection and understanding among wombmen navigating unique paths of femininity.
Through this design collection, I'm offering a soulful tribute to the sistahood solidarity found within the shared experiences of wombmanhood.
The latest soul care design, Soulful Transitions: MenoGarden Musings bridges that generational gap.
Beyond a design collection – ARTvocacy + solidarity + connection.
As a wombman who is personally experiencing the journey of menopause, I feel a deep connection to this design collection. Three years post-menopause, I reflect on the growth + transformation that have unfolded within me.
It has been a time of grief, peace, shedding, healing, reimagining, and renewal, liken to the changing of seasons in a garden. I have come to appreciate the masterpiece of the female body and the inherent, divine wisdom that guides us through these transitions.
And to all the wombmen reading this, know that you are not alone on your journey. You are seen, heard, and believed.
This is your invitation to join me in celebrating the profound sense of embodiment that comes from embracing one's self, whether in the throes of navigating menopause, premenopause, perimenopause, or post-menopause.
One Thing to Keep in Mind About Menopause
As women transition into menopause, the ovaries gradually reduce their production of hormones, such as estrogen + progesterone.
But didya know that the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, continue to play a beautiful role in hormone production during and after menopause [menopause: you haven't had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months].
The adrenal glands produce a small amount of androgens, which are converted into estrogen in various tissues of the body. So as the ovaries' hormone production diminishes in menopause, the adrenal glands step in to maintain harmony + support our well-being. This is why I have integrated a phenomenal Adrenal Support supplement by Dr. Brighten (this is not an affiliate mention, I'm simply sharing a resource).
There are estrogen receptors throughout the body: bone cells, blood vessels, and the heart, brain, breasts, uterus, ovaries... estrogen receptors are not limited to these organs.
Understanding the dynamic interplay of hormones in menopause can provide insights into the complex processes that occur in a woman's body during this natural transition and the new nutritional needs that emerge.
Common phytoestrogen-rich foods include flaxseeds, fruits, vegetables, and certain teas:
Red Clover Tea
Dandelion Root Tea
Dong Quai Tea
Oat Straw Tea
Rosemary Tea
Geranium Tea
Hibiscus Tea
I have written in-depth about teas.
Remember, always trust your body's wisdom when it comes to food + herbs—everybody's physiological constitution is different. Consult with your healthcare or wellness provider before starting any new supplement or herbal remedy, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications.
A Poem to All Us Postmenopause Sistahs
Six Things You Should Know About Perimenopause
Varied Onset: Perimenopause can begin in a wombman's 30s or 40s, well before the more commonly known menopausal age range. The onset is unique to each individual. You can even be perimenopause and pregnant at forty-four like I was.
Irregular Periods: Menstrual cycles during perimenopause often become irregular, with unpredictable changes in flow and frequency. This can catch some women by surprise.
Symptoms Beyond Hot Flashes: While hot flashes are a well-known symptom, there are several other less-known, but equally significant, symptoms that wombmen may experience: changes in mood, sleep, sexual desire, and cognitive abilities, and it can also affect the skin and hair. Lemme tell you, my hormonal acne was off the charts.
Impact on Mental Health: Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can contribute to mood disorders. Some women may experience increased anxiety or depression during this transitional phase.
Bone Health Awareness: Perimenopause marks a crucial time to focus on bone health. Estrogen, which decreases during this phase, plays a role in maintaining bone density. Women may need to consider supplements or lifestyle changes to support bone health.
Disrupted Sleep Patterns: Perimenopause can bring about changes in circadian rhythm, leading to disruptions in sleep patterns. Hormonal fluctuations and alcohol may contribute to insomnia or difficulties staying asleep, impacting the overall sleep-wake cycle during this transitional phase. Consider The Mocktail Club, a Black woman-owned, non-alcoholic adaptogenic beverage alternative.
Pregnancy During Perimenopause: Despite the common belief that pregnancy isn't possible during perimenopause, it's important to know that conception can still occur. As hormonal changes can cause irregular periods, it is essential to be mindful of your body's signals and recognize the potential for pregnancy.
Sistahood Solidarity for All Ages
I cannot emphasize it enough, The MenoGarden Musing collection extends beyond a specific life stage; it's not just for wombmen going through the soulful transitions of life, but also for the younger generation of girls on their journey to embody + embrace their femininity.
Journal Prompt: Reflect on your own experiences + emotions during your first period. How can you use this wisdom to create a supportive and empathetic sanctuary for your tween or teen?
Discussion Approach with an Emerging Wombman (tween or teen):
Create a Safe Space: Begin the conversation many years prior to her first bleed. This may require courage for those a bit nervous if it's uncharted territory, but the foundation laid in these early discussions is not about knowing it all, it's about connection and finding resources that will serve as a bridge to navigate with grace + understanding. I highly recommend, RedDrop + Wombilee.
Share Your Story: This one is essential to creating a safe space. Open up about your journey, emphasizing that everyone's experience is unique. This sets the stage for her to see your humanity—your wombmanhood in a new way.
Celebrate Wombmanhood - An Infradian Rhythm Dance + Soul Care Upgrade: We get to reframe + embrace the menstruation cycle as our infradian rhythm, 4-part dance with our self-care hygiene. It's our opportunity to practice hospitality to our sacred bodies—our temples.
At the heart of Mohawkmomma Studio is the audacity of our peace + play through childlike wonder that opens us up to curiosity and creativity through coloring + journaling, as we ARTvocate for each other's unique rhythmic living + being.
Why Coloring + Journaling?
Coloring + journaling are not just creative pastimes - they are soul care and evidence-based practices with significant benefits for mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing.
The art of coloring has been shown to reduce stress, promote mindfulness, and improve focus and concentration, while journaling has been linked to increased self-awareness, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive function.
The ARTvocacy of coloring + journaling is a peace + play catalyst for personal and collective transformation no matter our stage of life. As a soul care collective, we dare to give to ourselves as much as we give of ourselves without guilt.
As a soul care collective, we dare to give to ourselves as much as we give of ourselves without guilt.
Gratitude Journal Prompt
Before we delve into the collection, take a moment of gratitude to ponder + journal:
Name 2-3 inner gifts that have remained steady and true to the core of you throughout times of transition + grief.
How can you draw upon these gifts to navigate future changes of loss and reimagining with a sense of childlike wonder?
How are you integrating celebration + pause amidst all the giving of yourself? Around these soul care parts, we affirm: "It is grace to give TO myself as much as I give OF myself, guilt-free" - periodt.
Build Your 'Soulful Transitions' Gift Set
The soul care invitation is for you to embark on a journey of self-tending with the mindfully designed 'Soulful Transitions: MenoGarden Musings' collection, aimed to support and shepherd you on both a personal and collective level.
What makes it even more phenomenal is the opportunity to build your own unique gift set. Here's a glimpse of what awaits you in this transformative collection:
MenoGarden Color + Journal Notebook: Designed to help you reflect on your journey and amplify your peace + play vibes.
MenoGarden Color + Journal Greeting Cards: Each card is an insightful canvas for capturing the essence of the feminine journey, whether it's the transitions of perimenopause or the anticipation of a young girl's first period.
MenoGarden Candle + Matches: Immerse yourself in the soothing ambiance of our aromatic paint can candle, creating a non-toxic peaceful + whimsical atmosphere.
MenoGarden Color + Journal Affirmation Card Deck: A captivating + uplifting deck designed to prompt you to be integrative as you embody your life of transitions uniquely as yourself with self-compassion and curiosity.
MenoGarden Socks: A cozy + comfortable pair serving as a gentle reminder to be soft with yourself.
Giveaway time - Win The 'Soulful Transitions' Gift Set
I'm overjoyed to announce a special giveaway to celebrate the release of our new "Soulful Transitions: MenoGarden Musings" design collection.
How to Enter: (by February 1st, deets here)
Join the Email List: Become part of our soul care collective in January.
Participate in the Feb Community Card Swap: Join the sistahood solidarity in our February community card swap. Each card purchased is an entry into the giveaway.
Drawing for the Winner: The winner will be drawn on February 2nd and announced via email and on my Instagram Stories.
Download Your Free Tracking My Cycle SOULution Toolkit
A Collection to Woo Your Soul
Take a sneak peek and let this design collection woo you in to elevate your gift-giving, first to yourself, then, to others. May these pieces bring you comfort, creativity, and connection throughout your unique journey of transformational transitions.
Dedicated to Your Soul Care
As always, you are worthy of stunning soul care, and I'm devoted to pastoring you through stationery + gifts that are not only functional and eco-friendly but also deeply nourishing.
The 'Soulful Transitions' collection is a testament to this commitment, poised to become a cherished treasure in your rhythmic, cyclical soul care practices.
Let each piece be a companion that awakens you to amplify your sacred peace + play, personally + collectively.
Shop with Soul for Social Change
Until next time,
Scribble. Speak. From your soul.
October is World Menopause Awareness Month
October 18th is World Menopause Day
September is Perimenopause Awareness Month
Discover the 'Soulful Transitions: MenoGarden Musings' collection and much more in the soul care boutique + be inspired to amplify your ARTvocacy through peace + play vibes!
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only as I share my pastoral care and my journey, and bring to you valuable research, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing any medical concerns or symptoms, please seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
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