I’m not big on being the centre of attention and much prefer celebrating others to myself. Since I pressed pause on work, I have spent a lot of time considering how to get myself back on track. The first change I knew I had to make was to my physical health. Over the last few years, perimenopause has taken a toll on my body. I have gained weight and lost my exercise mojo. Being totally honest, I preferred coffee and cake (or wine) over the great outdoors. But I knew that this was doing nothing for my menopausal madness. So, the first step was to get back to being a healthier and fitter me.
I’m not a gym-goer. The thought of it fills me with crippling anxiety of being around so many people (young, fit and beautiful). I can no longer remember how to use the machines and feel like a total idiot every time I step through the doors of any gym. So I started the Couch to 5K. Preferring not to be seen blowing out my backside in the local area, I have spent almost every second day, working towards a 5K run with the wonderful Naveed (Sanjeev Kohli) telling me when to run and when to walk. I’ve tried the app a couple of times without ever completing it, but I knew that I had to finish it this time if I wanted to move forward in my current situation. I’ve told him on numerous occasions to F* off when he tries to persuade me to increase my speed. But I did it!
I honestly can’t recommend this app enough and anyone who thinks they can’t do it, I promise you can! I couldn’t even run to the end of my street before I started and now, I can run for 30 min’s. I admit, I feel like I’m going to die at least twice during the run. But honestly, the benefits to my mental and physical health are absolutely worth it. I don’t feel the same aches when I try to get out of bed in the morning, and although I will never diet, I feel that I’ve lost weight and feel leaner than I have for a long time.
Find out more about the Couch to 5K App on the NHS website.
Another thing I knew I needed to do was to get out and socialise more. Spending all my time in the house was doing absolutely nothing to help me. So I joined my local choir and started finding joy in singing. This is something totally out of my comfort zone, firstly because I cannot sing. But also because I now feel quite anxious around groups, and especially people I don’t know. But each week I push myself to go. To speak to new people and, with the help of my wonderful friend, to find the confidence to put myself out there. Each week, I begin nervously thinking this is too much. Why are you putting yourself through this. But the second my little voice is lost in the other altos, mezzo, and sopranos, I feel a sense of togetherness; like I belong. And I genuinely can’t recommend it enough. I leave each week feeling thankful that I went.
So now, not only do I celebrate graduating as a runner, but I will soon celebrate singing in a pub in a very busy city centre. All of this is pushing me out of my comfort zone to consider…
Perhaps I need to celebrate myself more!
And it is absolutely true. As a busy professional, a mum, a wife, a friend and a daughter, I spend all my time centring my life around others. Celebrating how proud I am of their success, caring for them, spending time and being an advocate for those around me. The people that I love so dearly are my entire focus in life. But how often do we stop and say – I’d like to celebrate me for a moment? To say, I’m so proud of myself for my achievements? For me, it’s very rarely!
It’s time for a change. To unapologetically celebrate everything that I have worked so hard to learn, to train and to succeed in my job. To celebrate that I am a good mum, a good wife and a good friend. To celebrate that I’m a good daughter, and despite what work has thrown at me, a good colleague too! And now, I will celebrate that I’m a runner, and a singer (who knew)!
Us women go through so much in our lives. I honestly believe we draw the short straw, especially during this middle stage. So if there’s one thing that I’ve taken away from this tricky period, it’s that as a women, we need to celebrate each other. For anyone reading this, reach out to your fellow ladies and remind them that they are amazing. x
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