23/10/2026
Life is hard enough without unsupportive women in our lives. I've always been blessed to have an amazing group of women with whom I can share anything. As strange and unexplainable things have begun to happen in my body this year, I have found, that the more I share, the more I recognize in others, that what I am experiencing is quite normal.
And so, when I recently shared a seemly odd 'symptom' I am experiencing with a woman, and received a rather dismissive answer, it really made me sad. Sad for her - not sad for me. And sad for women. It was so unnecessary to shame me. And that approach is absolutely not what we, at almost 50 years of age, look for when we connect with other women.
As women, I feel we were raised by a generation of women who were shrouded in shame about their bodies, their sexuality and aspects of life and change, such as menopause. Our mothers didn't speak about those things. Their silence has birthed a generation of women who still feel ashamed to share intimate details about themselves and their struggles. It's time for this to shift. We have so much to learn from each other if we can take fear of judgement off the table. Much of the reason for this is because women are so jealous and judgemental of each other that they daren't share any shortfall, shortcomings or anything which may reveal anything 'less than perfect' about ourselves. This is sad. When a woman loses weight, she flaunts the means, method and result. Which shows just how fickle we can be and how brainwashed and deeply entrenched we have become in society's unfathomable norms. However, when we has brain fog, a dry va**na or itchy skin as a symptom of perimenopause, we suffer in silence, or worse, as I experienced recently, we are shamed by an unsympathetic onlooker. It's so unnecessary girls.
What this phase of my life has taught more than anything, is that as we band together, share stories and ban shame, we find solidarity and support. The power of women gathering, is immeasurable. When women support each other, incredible things happen. Empowered women, empower women. Let's be kind.
I feel like the most powerful women in the room are always the ones reminding other women that they belong there too. Women need other women in their lives who think they are amazing. No jealousy, no judgement, no competition, no hate. How we treat each other ladies, says more about our own insecurities. Let's share "I love you", "I see you", "I hear you", "I sympathize with you" and "I'm here for you" kind of energy. We all need more of that 💗 So if you're experiencing any of these strange symptoms below, pull up a chair. We will hold space for you. And for your hot flush.