Pivoting…To Take Charge
Earlier this week, I began a four-month journey of system re-balancing. Instead of following the standard path often recommended for menopausal women— a prescription for every symptom—I’ve decided to take another route.
What if, instead of simply managing symptoms, I could create balance in a more integrated way?
What might it be like to deepen my relationship with my body, listening to its needs, noticing its patterns and breaking cycles that no longer serve me?
With the support of a functional medicine team, that’s exactly what I’m exploring.
For now, that looks like an anti-inflammatory diet. No dairy, no grains and lots of nutrient rich foods, which I tend to eat anyway. But still, it is a big shift for someone who loves sourdough baking, milk-laden coffee, and all things cheesy. They may return after my body gets a reset; I’m hoping so, but we shall see.
It’s early days, but already I feel a new calmness. I’m less productivity-driven and more relaxed about the things calling for my attention. My website, my projects … they’ll get done when they truly need to.
Alongside this, I have an actual gratitude journal. Each morning, I write down three things I’m grateful for, what would make the day great, and an affirmation or two. Each evening, I reflect on three amazing things that happened and one way the day could have been even better. It keeps me in fresh relationship with life, noticing the subtle shifts each day brings.
This journey feels like the next step in becoming my whole sovereign self—choosing the team and practices that support me, and looking at the bigger, integrated picture of wellness. I feel deep gratitude for the privilege of tending to myself in this way, because when I’m at my best, what I can offer to others flows with greater ease.
I suspect this will be quite a fascinating journey.
Maybe join me in a bit of tender care and awareness? You can use my gratitude journal prompts or simplify with these:
Before bed tonight, write down three small things you’re grateful for. They don’t need to be grand — a cup of tea, a smile from a stranger, the way the light hit the trees. See how it feels to fall asleep with gratitude in your heart. Because when we notice the small joys, life expands.
Ask yourself in the morning: “What would bring me joy today?” Write it down and see if you can give yourself even a small taste of it. Joy doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is that it is something you are in charge of and not dependent upon some outside force.
When you feel rushed or tense today, whisper the word “soften” to yourself. Let your shoulders drop, unclench your jaw, and notice what shifts in that small pause. This practice of softening is part of living in balance with the rhythms of nature and something I wrote about last week.
When we care for ourselves in small, intentional ways, what we have to offer others grows brighter. Take beautiful care of yourself—you matter, deeply.
This is a post from my Substack site. If you’d like to read my weekly reflections, do check it out. You may subscribe for free to receive new posts directly to you inbox (usually each Sunday). Suzanne’s Substack - Staying Wild, Being Free.
