What does it mean to have an empowered menopause?
In our society, menopause is misunderstood, pathologized, denigrated, and lampooned. It is dreaded or ignored by those who will experience it, and struggled through in silence by those who are experiencing it.
There is an alternative view: Menopause as a powerful rite of passage, an initiation into wisdom.
The menopausal years are a time of profound positive transformation in many women’s lives. As our hormonal landscape shifts, so do our lives, our roles, and our sense of self. What we are lacking in our culture is the acknowledgement, celebration, sharing, and sisterhood/brotherhood that we so need in order to enter the second half of our lives strong and proud.
Our vision is of a world where women are celebrated as they enter the wise woman years. A world where we actually look forward to menopause as an honoured time of entry into wisdom and prestige. A world where we are ALL valued as elders and are free and empowered to share our gifts as we age. A world where women honour each other and are honoured by society at each stage of our reproductive lives, and through all of our transformations, including through menopause and aging.
This is a big vision and we have a lot of work to do to get there.
You can help. One of the most important things we can do is simply to open up the dialogue, open up to women’s life stories. There is SO much wisdom to be shared.
Younger women: don’t be afraid to ask older women about their experiences.
Men, you need to understand and honour these passages too. Don’t be afraid to ask. Be there to provide support and offer respect.
Older women, share your stories freely with everyone. Don’t wait to be honoured or invited, speak your truth.
xo
Love
Bronwyn
