Navigating the Changes of Life: Menopause and Brain Fog
I am an open book, sharing my own personal experiences and what I have learned in hopes that my journey may be of inspiration to others.
For all those who have shared with me your struggles and upsets and desire for more a peaceful life, this is for you. You are not alone and I am doing my best to use my learned experiences to better serve my clients.
It is now October 2023. Where did this past year go? It seems I blinked and the world passed me by. Numerous people I have talked to in recent months lament similar observations that time has flown by. That they have been feeling “off”, fatigued, and just wondering what the heck they have missed in the last several months.
There is much discussion in forums about the ascension process and all those unsettling symptoms. I think all of humanity is experiencing some level of these issues, whether they understand it or not.
https://ladybugwellness.ca/the-ascension-process-transition-from-3rd-to-5th-dimension/
In working with clients, I am seeing a sort of “collective purge” of ancestral healing going on. Often a similar theme or time period that comes up with each session I facilitate with the same client, or different ones.
https://ladybugwellness.ca/ancestral-trauma-healing-family-patterns/
Many are dealing with all sorts of crazy offensive energies. Humanity as a Collective Consciousness is becoming more and more aware of the lower vibrations and the value of raising our own frequency and vibration to that of Universal Acceptance and Love.
https://ladybugwellness.ca/offensive-energies/
Far too many are dealing with loss of loved ones, the whole grief process. No one is exempt from losses and ascension “death cycles”.
I have traveled to my hometown twice this past year, both times for memorials.
I was able to live stream the service for another dear friend lost recently. My cherished friend and angel card reader, Barb, passed September 18 2023.
The opioid crisis is rampant and no one seems immune to those losses. The sad thing I have realized is that not everyone gets listed in the obits.
After high school in our small town, my mom commented on how often I found school mates in the local court reports. Years later, I have been finding people I know in the obits section. A continuous mortality check in realizing how fleeting life can be.
Each passing I hear of seems to trigger in me similarly to my analogy of the trauma bottles smashing on the floor. Some worse than others. This is a grief processing issue I continue to address within myself.
https://ladybugwellness.ca/managing-grief/
Regardless of how anyone feels, or deals with their life events and upsets, I continue to learn and share that it truly is Divine Timing. We never know someone else’s soul journey. And we may not even understand our own journey until we look back over the tapestry of our life to see Divine Timing at work.
https://ladybugwellness.ca/trusting-divine-timing-everything-happens-for-a-reason/
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So, is any of this what seems to be wrong with ME? Maybe some yes. But I am really wondering if I am going through “The Change” now. Am I experiencing menopause?
My son lived with his father for two years at a time when his father’s then-girlfriend was going through menopause (apparently?). She had been an absolute horror to deal with for all of my kids, but particularly for my son living there.
I promised my son that I would never put him through that ordeal when my time comes, and I even gave him permission to put me out of my misery if it came to that lol.
No matter what we go through, I do not feel we should ever put someone else through hell because we can’t deal with our own sh*t. Thankfully I have energy balancing skills on my side.
Through my years at the post office, I was the office joke because I was always freezing. I had been known to wear a parka into July. I remember our union rep announcing once “Jackie took off her parka, it is officially summer”. Yes, I have worked out in -40 Celsius a few times. I am not sure how I ever managed that, but I still am not fond of winter and cold even 7.5 years after retirement!
While working inside, many of my female coworkers had fans going. They often teased that I needed to go through menopause to warm up.
We seem to follow our mother’s patterns in our feminine cycle changes. My mom figures she went through these changes around age 51. She doesn’t remember having the stereotypical hot flashes, but she did have excessive brain fog.
I went back to school in my 40’s, graduating at age 51 with an Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology Concentration.
My grandmother received a teaching degree at age 51 and my mom completed a medical stenographer certification in her later years as well.
I’ve been following the leadership of ladies in my lineage 😊
Mom has relayed to me many times of her experience during those years that she actually walked out of class one time because she just couldn’t grasp anything with lack of mental clarity, also known as brain fog.
Thanks Mom…
Another genetic issue is blood sugar and diabetes. Although I have kept up on blood tests etc., I tend to follow Wayne Dyer’s philosophy that I am just not allowing that dis-ease into my experience. So far so good. Besides, holistically, these chronic dis-eases are not actually hereditary and do not necessarily continue thru our lineage unless we create the conditions where they can manifest and prevail. So there.
Getting to my more personal experiences this past year, I have not kept close track of my menstrual cycle for many years. Not really any need to. Of course, I noticed my own PMS issues both mental and physical, but have been able to balance my hormones energetically to relieve symptoms. In April of 2022, I realized my phone had a health app cycle tracker. Over the next few months, I realized my cycle was becoming more sporadic with longer days in between.
In conversations with my doctor over the past few years, he had said that he had not seen many women go past 55. I had been in a month after my birthday and he changed that prediction to not past 57. I turned 56 in May 2023.
My last recorded cycle was in February 2023.
I started the FCOA certification course March 1 2023. I had been through all the material previously, but there were some personal experiences that triggered me into having to revisit some inner child work, a whole lot of unresolved grief from losing my soul mate back in 2021, and also some traumatic events from 30 years ago. Talk about digging up the past and upleveling myself in the whole process!! (BTW September 30 2023 is now 2 years since his passing).
I brought more attention to teaching Reiki classes, and to teaching the Black Pearl technique. I realized I could be much more effective if I could leverage my time in creating these as online courses. I started taking steps towards realizing these goals.
But where did my brain go? Seriously. Where did my days go? I live by my scheduler and facilitate my client appointments so I can have a peaceful personal life as well. Gotta love being in control of my own life that way 😊
I am grateful for so many new clients and returning regular clients. And such wonderful feedback and successes.
I am grateful for my regular personal energy sessions with Sue V, plus fairly regular “play dates” with other practitioner friends in keeping ourselves balanced and able to work effectively with clients.
If not for that, I have no idea where I would be.
But again, where did my brain go? Why is time fleeting by like a fart in the wind? It is downright frustrating that I finish my appointments for the day, then realize it is already bedtime. No, my client appointments do not dominate my day at all. My schedule is quite reasonable actually. It seems to be this dreaded brain fog that my mother experienced, and the symptoms I find through online searches or forum discussions. Time lapses of sorts.
I have been working through my own issues of not grasping technology sufficiently, releasing this idea of being “non techie”.
https://ladybugwellness.ca/milestones/
I have managed to create several new YouTube videos and gain several new followers there.
Main channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ladybugwellness8509
Particularly, I have created some energy clearing videos that can be repeated as needed. Mini sessions that I use for myself as well. I have been receiving wonderful feedback from those who have discovered these videos.
Playlist with others added: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg7kqRypaKAFR1yZ-MVRcOOFftVTzF2fD
Many of my clients have admired and observed that I am so organized and efficient in sharing seemingly endless relevant and useful knowledge and information. While I am grateful for these sentiments and observations, I fully admit that I have been dealing with, what I call “creative constipation”. I have extensive ideas that seem to be backed up and plugged up, creating frustration for me in getting it all out. I am feeling a lot of contrition as I have a long list of interested parties waiting for these online workshops. This endeavor really should not be as daunting for me as it seems, but when my brain randomly goes on holiday without me, well, I can only get so much accomplished before a power nap is needed to defrag my mental capacity.
I can easily get hung up on some small technicality and shut down mentally or go do something else. I seem to get overwhelmed easily as well. This just adds to my feelings of being delayed and behind.
I liken my feelings to a hamster running feverishly on a hamster wheel only to be tossed off balance and hanging on by a single paw, being dragged along… Thump, Thump, Thump…
(I gotta keep some humorous visuals for you here lol).
I assure you, these workshops are coming.
Anyone who knows me, knows I have been a concert freak and road tripper extraordinaire. I am not sure why I have been choosing to just be more of a homebody this last while. There have been a few concerts I normally would have jumped at attending, but I chose a quiet evening of solitude instead.
I have been easily frustrated with others who lack integrity or otherwise shirk responsibility and accountability for themselves. I have been acutely aware of my personal boundaries.
I do know that this is a mirror reflection of imbalances within myself so I have looked at and worked through my own failures in this regard. I am a work in progress.
My body is doing some weird funky stuff in the last few months. Hot flashes, heat rashes, blemishes, itchy eyes, and my weight… omg. I am a skinny b*tch in a fat suit and am continually frustrated with limited movement and flexibility. I refuse to embrace any ideologies of “old age”, yet I am doing my best to accept the wisdom of “crone years” and matriarchy. My weigh scale is not my friend lately.
My hair, my crowning glory, has been severely damaged with too much processing and ineffectual stylists. My lack of being able to express myself in their terminology adds to my frustrations. All I want is a basic and classic cut and color but my previously glorious locks are not cooperating as in the past.
I had gone for blood tests back in December 2022. A colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, and CT scan in January and February 2023 showed no medical reasons for weight gain, and really no other concerning issues either. Thyroid fine, sugar within normal ranges. All clear from stem to stern 😛
While I am thankful for healthy results back, I am still frustrated with issues I am experiencing.
This is where I do my best to address my own issues holistically and energetically. Honestly, in my opinion, this is the only way I can keep some hope for a better life experience in a continuously crazy world.
I have tried several detoxing type remedies. However, liver and lymph issues keep coming up in my energy sessions.
I experienced a Kambo ceremony with Lyndsy. See YouTube interview for explanation of this tree frog medicine. I plan to do another interview with Lyndsy at some point to share and explain my experience.
https://youtu.be/FTM_mVcgxlQ?si=h4xN0i2qLdPQ36Wg
I managed to balance my hormones to relieve the hot flashes, just in time for the cool crispness of autumn to arrive. Hot flashes and clammy feelings are NOT fun at all!! I am not fond of cold weather either, but prefer to have more regulated core temps at least.
On a pharmacist’s recommendation, fungal and hydrocortisone creams relieved the unexplained rashes.
I have dowsed and confirmed for myself several supplements.
D3 and K2 for mood regulation
Oregano for preventative practice
Magnesium glycinate for sleep and muscles
Activated charcoal for flushing toxins
Berberine for digestion and glucose metabolism
Peppermint, blueberry, peach teas are calming drinks to sip thru the evening before bed. Any light herbal teas are great.
I have taken a liking to PC Brand (Superstore) Chicken Bone Broth. That said, I do sometimes enjoy a soothing cup of broth with a chocolate bar on the side. It’s all about balance, you know. Yes, I know weird combination lol.
I find that Watkins medicated ointment on my feet at night seems to be a great method of preventative maintenance and I feel very refreshed and clear in the morning.
My latest thing is castor oil packs, and I think those are really helping lots in feeling better overall. I have been following Dr Barbara O’Neill and gleaning some suggestions and knowledge there. I am hoping this will reduce or eliminate the fibroids I was diagnosed with back in 2019. This is supposed to be an excellent method to detox the liver as well, which I highly suspect is the root cause of many of the physical issues I have been experiencing.
I do think that chemical laden foods and drinks have been an issue and I am much more aware of toxicities now. See Acesulphame Potassium here:
https://ladybugwellness.ca/toxins-individual-energy-toxins/
Admittedly, I probably have not been drinking enough water… Dehydration is an issue I continuously am aware of.
Yet, I don’t think my diet overall is that bad. I do have one cup of coffee each day. Gotta have some small pleasures.
Most recently I have been following a suggestion from Amy Jo: Goyetche Institute is a naturopath in Ontario.
I have been taking essential salts Ferr Phos, Calcium Fluoride, and 12 in 1 blend.
This is a Facebook post with some explanations of essential salts.
https://www.facebook.com/GoyetcheInstitute/posts/pfbid037JXyt8jw7Z2o4LQPhFNffeDNpnYjHXK7HU1Sr8cpoX4rQVC8qGfHi77Ef4vKmmMNl
I took in a series of webinars from Hay House with a topic on water fasting particularly for women, but excellent information for both men and women. I transcribed these webinars. Find those and more resources here: Practitioner Resources
**Disclaimer: these are remedies and solutions I have tried. Please use your own discernment if you decide to try these for yourself.
Where I am now:
~ I have been taking in several training videos to be able to navigate the Thinkific platform. I have most of the content and videos are ready to go. Just needing to get everything uploaded and connected properly.
~ My son has been teaching me video editing and assisting me in that capacity. I am getting there.
~ I have been assisting Tucson Dowsers in an admin capacity for several months. I am also speaking for their monthly webinar December 2 2023. I will be speaking on balancing hormones with all I have learned and experienced.
~ I have a whole lot more ideas coming to fruition… at some point… and I am trusting Divine Guidance that this will all come to you in Perfect Divine Timing.
~ I am incorporating more turmeric, cayenne, coconut oil, MCT oil and other natural remedies into my diet and self-care routine.
~ I am making use of solfeggio music (YouTube) and my own energy clearing videos on repeat. This is really helping with focus, clarity, and getting sh*t done 😛
Update October 15 2023:
My go to solution, of course, is balancing my own energy and taking care of ME so I can be my best for others.
I am learning more about menopause from experiences. Ugh. Body odor, joint pains, itchy skin all over, yup. Fun stuff. Eh?
I also have a solution, castor oil packs! I have been doing this at bedtime sporadically since August when Lyndsy told me where to get a pack locally (PG acupuncture).
I have been doing this more regularly and feeling much better, less brain fog, more digestively regular, and I feel “cleaner” through my body.
I had my sessions with Sue and found 600% resistance to technology. (Whoa!!). Within the week following, I managed to get past a hurdle with video editing and the Thinkific platform. Now I am full speed ahead and getting things done. Course coming sooner then later! YAY!
Also with Sue, we found a major disconnection in my hair from some poor stylist experiences. Wild, eh? Ya, imbalances can come up anywhere!
Then, I booked a session with Tom Heintz October 9. I offered to use my session candidly to promote his work. He offered to do a follow up session thru his Mastermind class October 12.
Detail here, bottom of page: https://ladybugwellness.ca/practitioner-recommendations/
Tom has his own protocol for weight release. I have his list, and worked through myself, but always amazing to work with someone else. I must say that after these sessions, my energy felt and seemed more radiant.
Also, gotta add, if you watch the videos, “damaged goods”, that has been a huge thing for me from childhood. Interesting how this has come up yet again for me.
Yesterday, my doctor called with results from blood tests 2 weeks ago. My AC1 and other numbers all look fine, non-concerning, so I can go back for follow up in 6 months, not 3 months. YAY!!
~ I have been on a roll with creating some mini energy clearing sessions which are now on YouTube. Do check them out as this is a good way for my clients and followers to have some resources in between booked sessions.
Playlist here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg7kqRypaKAFR1yZ-MVRcOOFftVTzF2fD
I have listened to a webinar from Dr Mindy Pelz promoting her book “Fast Like a Girl” and “Menopause Reset”. Excellent information about hormones and menopause.
Go here for the audio transcription: Practitioner Resources
January 2024: I asked for and received some expensive bone broth for Christmas. This is my new fave thing, and now on regular delivery. I also have been participating in a carnivore 45 day reset. This is a game changer for me. I love it immensely and will probably create another page on that topic soon.
https://www.amazon.ca/stores/page/A8DBCA18-57EE-4448-8142-B25D5EEA682C?ingress=2&visitId=21fc498f-630d-4cd2-995e-3eb4b0995fa5&ref_=ast_bln