Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Natalie explores the emotional challenges faced by women in midlife during the holiday season, particularly in relation to hormonal changes and the pressures of self-care. She discusses the impact of menopause on emotional well-being and the importance of self-compassion as women navigate these changes. The conversation emphasizes the need for community support and acceptance of one's evolving identity during this transitional phase of life.

Takeaways

• The holiday season can amplify feelings of irritability and self-focus in midlife women.
• Hormonal changes during menopause significantly affect emotional well-being.
• Women often prioritize others' needs over their own, leading to burnout.
• It's important to give oneself grace and acknowledge limitations during the holidays.
• Self-compassion is crucial for navigating midlife transitions.
• Emotional awareness shifts during menopause, leading to a more egocentric perspective.
• Accepting the current version of oneself is key to personal growth.
• Building self-awareness is essential for overcoming harmful habits.
• Community support can alleviate feelings of isolation during midlife.
• Midlife can be a time of significant personal growth and transformation.

Keywords: midlife, menopause, holiday stress, self-care, emotional well-being, hormonal changes, self-compassion, personal growth, women empowerment, mental health

Sound bites

"We want the routine to be the same."

"It's okay to give yourself grace."

"You really aren't alone in this."

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Holiday Emotions in Midlife

09:45 Understanding Brain Changes During Midlife

17:38 Embracing Self-Compassion and Growth in Midlife

Summary: In this conversation, Dr. Natalie discusses the challenges and transformations that occur during midlife, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changes rather than resisting them. She highlights the emotional and psychological aspects of navigating this transition and offers insights into personal growth during this critical phase of life.

Takeaways:

• ​The life we have built may no longer serve us.
• ​Midlife transition can lead to significant personal growth.
• ​Resisting change can lead to a midlife crisis.
• ​Emotional well-being is crucial during transitions.
• ​Understanding our feelings is key to navigating change.
• ​Support systems play a vital role in midlife adjustments.
• ​Self-reflection can aid in personal development.
• ​Embracing change can lead to new opportunities.
• ​Midlife is a time for reevaluation and growth.
• ​Adapting to change is essential for happiness.

Keywords: midlife transition, life changes, personal growth, crisis management, emotional well-being

Sound bites

"The life that we have built is no longer gonna work for us."

"Midlife transition is a critical phase."

Chapters

00:00 Facing the Unpreparedness of Midlife

00:18 Grieving the Loss of Past Versions

JOIN the ⁠⁠⁠⁠LearnToLoveYourStory.com (https://LearnToLoveYourStory.com) ⁠⁠ Mailing List! Join my newsletter and receive my FREE video and workbook, “Freeing Yourself: A Guide for Letting Go of Other People's Opinions” SIGN UP on the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/762561/109840834025752017/share⁠⁠⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and video is not a replacement for therapy and is not clinical, medical, or mental health treatment. Dr. Natalie Marr is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Minnesota. Her work with ⁠⁠(⁠https://LearnToLoveYourStory.com⁠⁠⁠⁠)⁠, ⁠(⁠⁠⁠⁠https://NatalieMarrCounseling.com⁠⁠⁠),⁠ and all affiliate social media entities is educational and coaching based ONLY. She IS NOT offering therapeutic services of any kind on these mediums. If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please use the following crisis resources (this is not an exhaustive list of available resources): National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠ CALL 988Crisis Text Line: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.crisistextline.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Text HOME to 741741

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Natalie explores the often-overlooked symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, particularly irritability, and emphasizes the importance of community support during this transitional phase. She discusses the impact of sleep disturbances on mental health and the necessity of prioritizing self-care and self-compassion. Dr. Natalie also highlights mindfulness as a crucial practice for navigating the challenges of midlife, encouraging women to be kind to themselves and recognize that they are not alone in their experiences.

Keywords

perimenopause, menopause, irritability, mental health, self-care, community support, sleep disturbance, self-compassion, mindfulness, women's health

Takeaways

• Irritability is the number one symptom of perimenopause.
• Sleep disturbances can lead to significant mental health issues.
• Women in midlife face increased rates of anxiety and depression.
• Self-care is essential during the perimenopausal journey.
• Community support can alleviate feelings of isolation.
• Self-compassion involves being kind to oneself during struggles.
• Mindfulness helps in recognizing and addressing personal suffering.
• Women often prioritize others over themselves, especially during this phase.
• Understanding hormonal changes can help in managing symptoms.
• It's important to acknowledge that many women share similar experiences.

Sound bites

"Selfish is the new self-care."

"We have to be kind to ourselves."

"We're all in this together."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

11:06 Navigating Irritability and Self-Care

17:16 The Importance of Self-Compassion

23:34 NEWCHAPTER

JOIN the ⁠⁠⁠⁠LearnToLoveYourStory.com (https://LearnToLoveYourStory.com) ⁠⁠ Mailing List! Join my newsletter and receive my FREE video and workbook, “Freeing Yourself: A Guide for Letting Go of Other People's Opinions” SIGN UP on the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/762561/109840834025752017/share⁠⁠⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and video is not a replacement for therapy and is not clinical, medical, or mental health treatment. Dr. Natalie Marr is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Minnesota. Her work with ⁠⁠(⁠https://LearnToLoveYourStory.com⁠⁠⁠⁠)⁠, ⁠(⁠⁠⁠⁠https://NatalieMarrCounseling.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ (about:invalid#zCSafez) ),⁠ and all affiliate social media entities is educational and coaching based ONLY. She IS NOT offering therapeutic services of any kind on these mediums. If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please use the following crisis resources (this is not an exhaustive list of available resources): National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠ (about:invalid#zCSafez) CALL 988Crisis Text Line: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.crisistextline.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Text HOME to 741741