Gez's Menopause Journey
The symptoms of the menopause came as a real shock to me, I just didn't understand what was happening! . I was left feeling like someone stolen my personality away in the night and replaced it with a tearful, fearful, moody version of myself that I had never met before, and I was scared. I even thought back then that it was something that happened to old ladies, and not to a young, (optimistic) woman like me in her 40s.
And, at first, I actually thought I was mentally ill, and googled early onset Alzheimer’s on several occasions. It just felt so wrong and scary; you know that feeling where you have known someone for years, and they are standing right next to you, but you just can’t think of their name?! It feels like there’s just a blank space in your mind where their name used to live...and information, and memories from my past just felt irretrievable, I had been focussed on my own personal development for years, and now I felt out of control, and I was worried!
And not only the psychological symptoms were freaking me out, there was also the most common symptom of them all, the pesky hot flushes; they really plagued me, especially at night...oh, the sleep loss! And that’s to say nothing of the whiskers (oh wow, another shock!).
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I went to the doctors and she was really rude and brash, "You are not menopausal, you are too young, you could be in perimenopause, come back in a few years time". I went a second time and had a slightly better experience, but HRT seemed to be the only help available, and I just didn't want to go down that road (although totally respect those that do).
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So, I tried all kinds of natural remedies, and coupled with my daily meditation practice, this did help to a degree, but it just wasn't enough.
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My Big Discovery
I had noticed many years ago that stress in the moment seemed to bring on my hot flushes. If I felt embarrassed or ashamed, or anxious about something, I would get a hot flush.
Also, many of my clients are 40+ women & found that as past trauma was resolved, so the women were also reporting that their menopause symptoms were reducing.
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Curious, I delved deeper into why some women have no menopause symptoms, and others suffer greatly, I discovered something that really blew me away: There is a body of scientific evidence showing that not only current, but also past trauma adversely effects the menopause experience.
Coupled with the strong evidence from scientific research that Hypnotherapy is very effective at reducing menopause symptoms, including significant reduction in hot flushes, and the emotional symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety, low mood, memory loss, concentration, confidence and sleep, I became excited at the prospect of being able to really help myself with some further trauma recovery work, and the prospect of helping others live more fully & freely in this very natural and effective way, using Hypnotherapy.
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It's our Right!
As my research expanded to include the experiences of Menopause from other cultures, especially indigenous cultures, another great discovery was found: I learned of the power of this rite of passage, and how women have been, and can become their best selves during this time when given the opportunity and guidance to do so. I am able to weave these in to Hypnotherapy in a creative and structured way that really works, for those that wish to.
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I realised that a lot of my personal development had been awakened due to being in this passage of life.
I have significantly changed my life during this passage:
I have gone from an abusive intimate relationship to one of respect and growth.
I have gone from living in a place that I didn’t feel I belonged to having a home that is my oasis.
My work has changed from a boring office job to using my skills, experiences & creativity
to help others which is beyond fulfilling.
I have transformed guilt, shame, and silence into a pride for all that I am, and can share.
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It's been a real circle too as I love the life I live now, and having the opportunity to relieve others' symptoms,
to help transform lives, it’s incredible.
One of my greatest teachers, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, puts this beautifully,
“Menopause is far more than a a physical change,
‘THE CHANGE’...
it is a descent and an arising.
It is a sunset. Then, a sunrise.
The time in between the two counts for everything.”
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​Understanding that each of our menopause journeys is very personal, and respecting the very unique life experiences of each of us is so important to me and the way I work. My passion to improve the lives of all of us navigating this journey, with a natural and scientifically proven, and bespoke approach, it is how the 'Menopause Wellness Package' came into being.
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This work really is possible, and I would love to help you through what may feel like the worst time of life, into what could be the best time of your life.