Hello 2025!! New Year, Realistic Goals | The menopause life and self-care

Let's have an honest chat about menopause and new beginnings. You know how we all start each year full of optimism and plans? Well, I'm right there with you, but this time, I'm approaching things a bit differently for 2025.

I have to laugh a little when I look back at my previous posts. They all seem to start with such good intentions, don't they? The last couple of years, I had so many plans, but life had other ideas. Between managing menopause symptoms, dealing with diabetes complications, and juggling work demands, those well-laid plans often went sideways. The end of 2024 really made me think about my goals and desires for 2025.

But here's the thing - 2025 is going to be different. Not because I'm making grand resolutions, but because I'm embracing what a good friend of mine calls "aggressive self-care." Now, before you picture expensive spa treatments or complicated wellness routines, let me explain what self-care really means. At its core, self-care is simply taking deliberate actions to maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health. It can be as simple as taking a relaxing bath, reading a book in your favorite chair, or saying "no" to that extra commitment that would stretch you too thin. It's different for everyone, and that's perfectly okay.

On the work front, I'm looking at a packed schedule for 2025. As a publishing professional, I've got about 20 books on the schedule to work through the release process for my select group of clients. That means juggling everything from cover designs to editing, release management, and website updates. Last year, this workload absolutely kicked my butt because I hadn't planned well enough. While 2025's schedule might still be challenging, I've approached it with better planning and more realistic timelines. And goodness help me with clients who add last minute books to the schedule or decide to release early. No, no. We are sticking to the schedule, dang it! 

Here's the reality check - managing this workload while dealing with menopause is like trying to juggle while riding a rollercoaster. Some days, the symptoms are relentless. Beyond the commonly discussed hot flashes and night sweats, we're dealing with an entire symphony of challenges - I'm fortunate to not have those two symptoms. Phew! But there's the unexpected rage that bubbles up out of nowhere, mood swings that would put a teenager to shame, and energy levels that drop faster than a rock. Then there's the brain fog (my personal favorite - not!), joint pain, and some of the less-talked-about symptoms like heart palpitations, dizzy spells, and anxiety attacks. Some days, I even experience tingling in my extremities and electric shock sensations - yes, that's actually a thing!

This is why I've spaced out my client release schedule at reasonable intervals this year. I've built in buffer time for those days when menopause decides to throw a party I didn't ask for. Barring any major surprises, this planning should help me manage everything without burning out.

So let's talk about time management - because it's become my secret weapon. When you're dealing with the unpredictable nature of menopause symptoms plus diabetes, you need to be strategic. I've learned to schedule not just work time, but also downtime. Yes, you read that right - I actually put relaxation time in my calendar now! No more working through weekends or pushing through when my body is screaming for rest.

My favorite way to recharge is to do something completely different from my desk job. I get up and organize a closet, do some decluttering (which is extra helpful since we're planning to downsize), or engage in any physical activity that gives my brain a break from words and schedules. Sometimes, it's as simple as catching up on sleep or binge-watching a favorite show or even listening to an audiobook while scrolling social media. The key is to completely switch gears.

Here are some time management and relaxation tips that have worked for me:

• Use a digital calendar to block out work times AND rest times
• Set realistic deadlines by adding 30% more time than you think you'll need. I don't always need the extra time, but it's a good buffer for when I need it. And if I finish early, then I can move on to other things or chill out for a bit
• Break large projects into smaller, manageable chunks
• Keep a "brain dump" notebook to jot down thoughts and worries
• Practice the "two-minute rule" - if it takes less than two minutes, do it now
• Use the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of work followed by 5-minute breaks)
• Schedule your most demanding tasks during your peak energy hours
• Learn to say "no" to non-essential commitments

I'd love to hear from you - how do you handle those overwhelming days when menopause symptoms collide with life's demands? What's your go-to aggressive self-care technique? Share your experiences in the comments below - we can all learn from each other's journeys.

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Be well, and remember to be kind to yourself.

xoxo

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