When you don’t feel like yourself anymore….
I read a Facebook post last night that resonated with me so much it brought me to tears.
It was from a woman who was going through peri-menopause.
She spoke about how the changes she was experiencing have caused her to feel like someone else.
She spoke about the fact that there were times when she didn’t even recognise herself anymore.
And she spoke about the feeling of loss and grieving around who she used to be.
What really resonated with me was when she talked about the absence of laughter, light-heartedness and enjoyment of life that she used to experience.
Like the happy, easy going person she used to be had disappeared and had been taken over by someone who often felt grumpy, frustrated, sad and confused.
Like the light inside of her had been extinguished.
Peri-menopause can be like this – along with all the physical symptoms like hot flushes, tiredness, sore aching muscles & joints and no energy, it can also take away the essence of who you once were.
It definitely did for me.
I am not the person I was 10 years ago – and whilst some of the changes have made me a better person, I also mourn parts of me that I seem to have lost.
I don’t laugh like I used to – you know that real deep belly laugh that you can’t control and hurts!
I can’t remember the last time I experienced this.
I often don’t feel that lightness, joy and excitement that I did when I was younger.
Is this just a normal part of getting older?
I don’t know!
Reading this post made me reflect on what I can do to bring that laughter and joy back into my life.
It made me remember that I need to consciously focus on the small things in my everyday life that give me an opportunity to laugh, experience joy and take life a little less seriously.
It made me remember that it’s up to me to create this for myself.
And as much as I know this is within my control, and I have the ability to experience more fun, laughter, joy and happiness – sometimes we all lose sight of it.
So I thank this woman for being vulnerable and posting her thoughts and feelings, because although it made me a little sad for those parts of me I’ve lost sight of, it also gave me a sense of hope and power that I can change this – right now!
So from this moment onwards I endeavour to notice the little things – the everyday things that are an opportunity to laugh, be happy and appreciate life and those around me.
Because it’s these little things that all add up to make our life worthwhile, enjoyable and memorable.
If this resonates, you’re not alone.
