Tag: #Meditation

Breathwork Techniques for Stress Relief

The Power of Breathing: Finding Calm in Chaos

Ever have one of those days where you’re convinced the world is conspiring against you? I’ve had more than a few of those, especially during my cancer journey. From the endless appointments to the chaos of treatments, it was overwhelming. But in the midst of it all, I stumbled upon an unexpected lifeline: my breath.

Breathwork might sound too simple, but focusing on my breath kept me grounded during some of my darkest, most challenging moments. Let me take you back to a particularly surreal experience that tested my resolve—and how one breathing technique got me through it.

Where It All Began

Picture this: I’m lying on a gurney at a 45-degree angle, essentially “pouring” my breast into a mammogram machine while a surgeon attempts to insert clips into the tumour. I was tilted, compressed, and effectively trapped, with multiple people trying to place these markers. And to top it off, they missed. More than once.

It was a moment made for panic. I felt like I was upside down, trapped by this machine, with no way out. But at that moment, I remembered the one tool I had—something simple yet powerful: breathing. I began cycling through slow, deep breaths, focusing on each inhale and exhale, drawing my attention inward. The more I concentrated on my breath, the more I detached from the chaos around me.

I didn’t even realise the toll of the experience until a nurse came out to find me after the procedure. Her face was red, her eyes filled with tears, and she hugged me tightly without a word. Her tears were silent, but I felt the weight of the ordeal in her embrace. And in that moment, it was my turn to comfort her, saying, “It’s okay.”

The Turning Point: Discovering New Techniques

After that experience, it became clear that I needed more than one breathing technique in my toolkit. My counsellor pointed out that I might be suffering from anxiety. Gee, thanks for the insight. I decided it was time to go deeper. I began exploring various breathing practices. They help me manage the overwhelming emotions. Panic seemed to hover over my life like a dark cloud.

Over time, I found three techniques that became my mainstays. Each one has its own unique benefits and purpose, depending on what I need in the moment. Let me share them with you.

1. 4-7-8 Breath: Finding Calm in High-Stress Moments

The 4-7-8 breath was the first technique I learned after that clip-insertion ordeal. It’s my go-to when I feel like my anxiety is about to overtake me, providing instant calm and clarity.

How to Do It:

  • Inhale through your nose for a count of 4.
  • Hold your breath for 7 counts.
  • Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 counts.

How It Helped Me:

During the following hospital visits, I used the 4-7-8 breath to steady myself. I used it, especially when I knew I’d be poked, prodded or placed inside imaging machinery (claustrophobic, anyone?). The elongated exhale calms the nervous system, returning the body to rest. It’s simple but incredibly effective. In hindsight, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that allowed me to practice in the real world. Sometimes, you need to be forced into these things. This is especially true if you believe (like I did) that you can plan out everything. My cancer diagnosis allowed me to recognise the reality that only your response is within your control. Everything else is entirely extraneous.

When to Practice:

This technique is perfect for high-stress situations or as a part of a nightly wind-down. Try starting with just 3-4 cycles, especially when feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

Pro Tip:

Make it part of your bedtime routine to help ease into a restful night. It’s a fantastic way to unwind after a challenging day.

2. Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): Creating Balance

This one felt slightly strange at first—blocking off one nostril, then the other—but the results were undeniable. Nadi Shodhana is about balancing the mind, which is perfect for those moments when I feel scattered or unable to focus.

How to Do It:

  • Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale through your left.
  • Close your left nostril with your ring finger, and exhale through your right.
  • Inhale through the right, close it and exhale through the left.
  • Repeat this cycle for 5-10 rounds.

How It Helped Me:

I remember trying this one after a particularly intense counselling session. My mind was racing, full of emotions and worries. A few cycles of this technique helped me feel centred again, as if I could think clearly for the first time in hours.

When to Practice:

Nadi Shodhana is perfect when you need to refocus or feel off-balance. I often practice it in the morning to start the day on a balanced note or in the afternoon when I need a mental reset.

Pro Tip:

Try it first thing in the morning. Just five minutes can bring a surprising level of calm and focus to your day.

3. Bhramari (Bee Breath): Quieting the Mental Noise

Bhramari, or Bee Breath, was a bit odd for me initially. You hum like a bee on the exhale, creating a gentle vibration in your head. But let me tell you, this one is like a balm for an overactive mind.

How to Do It:

  • Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a deep breath in through your nose.
  • As you exhale, hum softly, creating a buzzing sound in your throat and head.
  • Repeat this 5-7 times.

How It Helped Me:

After a long, sleepless night when my mind just wouldn’t shut off, I tried Bee Breath out of pure desperation. The hum created a soothing vibration that helped quiet my thoughts and grounded me. It became my go-to for nights when I couldn’t get out of my head.

When to Practice:

Use this technique before bed or anytime your mind feels noisy. It’s excellent for relieving tension and calming the mind, especially if you’re prone to overthinking.

Pro Tip:

Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted, and focus on the vibrations. It’s incredibly calming and can help ease you into sleep.

How to Build Breathwork Into Your Daily Life

Starting with breathwork doesn’t mean overhauling your entire day. You don’t need to commit hours to these techniques—just a few minutes here and there. Here’s how to make breathwork a natural part of your life:

Set a Goal:

Begin with one technique for five minutes a day. Choose one that fits your current needs and practice it consistently. Once you’re comfortable, experiment with others based on your day’s demands.

What I’ve Learned This Month

After a month of focusing on breathwork, here’s what I’ve discovered:

  • Breathwork is grounding: It doesn’t change life’s challenges but gives you a stable foundation to handle them.
  • Consistency is key: Even small, daily practices add up over time.
  • It’s transformative: These techniques have shifted how I respond to stress, anxiety, and even those small daily annoyances.

Your Turn: Let’s Breathe Together

Have you tried breathwork before? Do you have a favourite technique, or are you just getting started? I’d love to hear your stories! Share your experiences in the comments below or tag me on social media if you’re trying out one of these techniques. Let’s breathe through the chaos together—one intentional inhale at a time.

Final Thought:

Breathwork isn’t just a tool; it’s a gentle reminder that even amid life’s toughest moments, you have the power to find calm within yourself. No matter what you’re going through, remember that your breath is always there to ground you. So, let’s make a pact to breathe more intentionally. Ready to join me?

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The Power of Rituals—Bringing Structure to Spirituality

Hello, dear readers! Today, we’re diving into a topic that has truly transformed my life: rituals. Now, I know what you might be thinking—rituals? Aren’t those reserved for ceremonies or something mystical? Well, yes and no. Rituals, in the way I practice them, are about creating small moments of intention in the day-to-day—a way to bring both structure and spirituality into this wonderfully chaotic journey we call life.

Why Rituals Matter

For most of my adult life, I ran on routines. Wake up, get the kids ready, work, cook dinner, sleep, rinse, repeat. The routines kept life organized and predictable, and, if I’m honest, I often felt like I was on autopilot. Looking back, it’s as if life happened, and I hardly even noticed because I was so busy with the day-to-day. But once the nest was empty, those routines became redundant and meaningless. I needed more than structure— connection, purpose, and calm. And that’s when I realized rituals could bring something new: balance between my rational mind and my spiritual heart.

Rituals are more than just habits—they are sacred moments woven into our daily lives, filled with purpose and intention. They invite us to slow down, to indeed be present, and to transform the ordinary into something beautiful. For someone like me, who often gets lost in the details and the constant hum of analysis, rituals have become a lifeline—offering stability amidst chaos while nurturing the deeper, more tender parts of myself. They remind me that life isn’t just about productivity; it’s about connection, purpose, and finding grace in even the most minor actions.

Morning Rituals: Setting the Tone for the Day

Something about the morning makes it the perfect time to bring a sense of intention into your day. I’ll admit, there was a time when my mornings consisted of hitting snooze three times before frantically scrambling to start the day. But now, I’ve transformed those early hours into a sacred time, and it’s made all the difference.

1. Morning Journaling
One of the most grounding rituals I’ve adopted is morning journaling. It doesn’t have to be anything profound—I simply sit down with a cup of tea (more on that later) and write whatever comes to mind. Some days, it’s a gratitude list. Other days, it’s a brain dump of all the worries and to-dos circling in my head. Occasionally, it’s just a description of the weather outside.

For my analytical side, journaling is a way to organize my thoughts, put those racing ideas on paper, and see them from a distance. For the spiritual side, it’s a way to connect with my inner self, to ask, “What do I need today?” and “How can I be kind to myself?” It’s a practice that brings me back to the present, where everything is a little more manageable.

2. Meditation and Breathwork
After journaling, I take a few minutes to meditate. I’m not talking about hours in the lotus position—just ten to twenty minutes of focused breathing or sitting quietly with my thoughts. Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) is my go-to. It helps calm my mind, balancing my brain’s rational and creative sides and bringing a sense of equilibrium before the day’s demands begin.

Meditation allows me to feel the connection between my mind and body, creating a moment of stillness in what is often a whirlwind. For someone who leans into analytical thinking, it’s not about “finding zen”—it’s about creating mental space, giving my mind the rest it needs to tackle the day with clarity and focus.

3. Setting Intentions
Before officially starting the day, I take a moment to set an intention. It might be as simple as “I will be patient today” or “I will stay present.” Setting an intention makes me feel like I have some control over navigating the day, even if I can’t control what happens. For my rational side, it’s like programming a mantra that guides my actions. For the spiritual side, it’s a reminder that I get to choose how I show up, no matter what the world throws at me.

Evening Rituals: Closing the Day with Calm

Just as the morning sets the tone, the evening offers a time to reflect and release. I used to end my days exhausted, scrolling endlessly through my phone, hoping that would help me unwind. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. I was left overstimulated, with a racing mind that refused to let me sleep. That’s when I knew I needed to end the day differently—with rituals that would help me close the chapter with intention.

The Ultimate Wind-Down: Tea, Gratitude, and Unplugging

When it comes to protecting my sleep, I don’t mess around. Post-cancer, sleep became my top priority. After reading Matthew Walker’s “Why We Sleep,” I realized how crucial it is and permitted myself to treat sleep as a sacred gift. My go-to? Herbal leaf tea.

Step 1: Tea as the Ultimate Ritual

My sleep ritual begins with the kettle. Boiling water isn’t just part of the process anymore—it’s my signal to wrap up the day. I turn off the lights, light a candle, and let the quiet settle in. The soft hum of the kettle heating up is like a gentle reminder to unplug from the day’s chaos.

As the water boils, I mentally run through my gratitude list. No need for a journal—just a quiet reflection. I think about three things that went well. Some days, it’s big stuff like a supportive friend. On other days, I’m just grateful I didn’t spill the tea leaves all over the kitchen. It’s my time to appreciate that, even in the chaos, there’s always something to hold onto.

Selecting my tea feels almost ceremonial. I choose my herbal blend, like greeting an old friend—delicate, calming, exactly what I need. I watch the leaves fall softly into the pot, transforming the simple act of making tea into something meditative. When the 80-degree water (because, yes, we’re fancy now) pours over the leaves, I watch them swirl and release their calming aromas.

Step 2: Gratitude and Unplugging, Tea in Hand

As the tea steeps, I’ve already begun unplugging. No screens, no doomscrolling. This is my moment to disconnect. I might grab a book, sit by the window, or close my eyes and breathe. With its rising steam, the tea becomes the centrepiece of my unwinding ritual. It’s not about rushing—it’s about letting the tea do its thing while I take a moment to unwind.

By now, my gratitude list is fully formed. I’ve acknowledged the small wins of the day, like that perfect cup of coffee or the fleeting sunshine. It’s a simple reflection but enough to shift my mood from stressed to serene.

Step 3: Sipping into Serenity

When the tea is ready, that first sip is like a reward for making it through the day. The warmth in my hands and the soothing flavours tell my body, “You’ve done enough.” The steam is like a soft hug, signalling to my brain that the work is over and it’s time to rest.

This ritual—tea, gratitude, and unplugging—has become my nightly grounding practice. By the time I finish my cup, I’m already halfway asleep. It’s not just about the tea; it’s about carving out space for myself, acknowledging the good, and transitioning into rest mode.

Rituals as Bridges Between Rationality and Spirituality

Rituals bridge the gap between our need for structure and our desire for connection. They bring predictability to the day, which soothes the rational mind. They also invite mindfulness and reflection, nurturing the spiritual side. Rituals remind us that we’re more than just “doers”—we are beings capable of deep connection with ourselves and the world around us.

For analytical thinkers, rituals provide a sense of control—structuring the day to reduce stress and bring clarity. But they also invite surrender, presence, and a moment to simply be. This balance is why rituals are essential to my life and why I encourage you to try them.

Create Your Own Rituals

Here are a few simple ideas to help you create rituals that bring structure and spirituality into your day:

  • Morning Gratitude: Before getting out of bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for. Start the day on a positive note and notice the shift in perspective.
  • Mindful Breaks: Set a timer during the day to take a breath, stretch, or check in with yourself. A simple way to bring mindfulness into a busy schedule.
  • Evening Reflection: Before bed, reflect on the best part of your day. Let it be the last thought before sleep, fulfilling the day.

Moon Cycles: Create rituals that align with the moon’s phases. For the new moon, set fresh intentions and be grateful for the lessons coming for your highest self. During the full moon, practice reflection and prepare to release anything that no longer serves you as the moon is emptying.

Seasonal Shifts: Welcome each new season with a ritual. For example, in the winter, light candles, journal what you wish to nurture within yourself and begin a new creative course online or locally. In the spring, plant something, be it seeds or intentions, and watch them grow.

Birthday Rituals: Your birthday is the perfect time for a yearly ritual. Set
intentions for the coming year, reflect on the past year’s lessons, and perhaps even create a self-care ritual to celebrate yourself.

Rituals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. They just have to be intentional. In that intention, they create balance—a way to connect the rational with the spiritual, the structure with the flow, and the mind with the heart.

Here’s to making space for rituals that calm the mind, nurture the soul, and bring a little sacredness to our daily routines.

The Balance Between Rationality and Spirituality: Finding My Zen in a Spreadsheet

Hello, lovely readers! Today, we will dive into something that sounds like a contradiction but has somehow become my secret weapon: balancing rationality and spirituality. I know—it sounds like I’m trying to merge a calculator with a meditation cushion. And honestly? I am. But stick with me, because there’s some magic in finding the sweet spot between the two.

Data vs. Dharma: Why Not Both?

For most of my life, I thought I had to choose. I could be rational, data-driven, efficient—crunching numbers and organizing life with spreadsheets, knowing exactly how many grams of protein I ate that day and how many steps I took. Or I could be spiritual—connected, intuitive, meditating in the mornings and practicing yoga at sunset, finding meaning in the flow of life without needing it all quantified.

But then I realized something radical: why not both? Why couldn’t I be the Yogi CFO who finds peace in both a deep breath and a well-organized Excel sheet? And that’s where this journey really began—finding the balance between the data-driven part of me and the spiritual seeker. Because the truth is, rationality and spirituality aren’t opposites—they complement each other beautifully if you let them.

The Mood Tracker That Became My Meditation Partner

Take, for example, my trusty mood tracker. If you’re thinking this sounds like something a Type-A personality would come up with, you’re absolutely right. I wanted to understand my moods, to see if there were patterns, to make sense of the ebb and flow of emotions that seemed to have no rhyme or reason—especially after chemo and the hormonal rollercoaster of early menopause.

So, I made myself a simple mood tracker. Each day, I rated my mood from 1 to 10 and wrote down a few notes about what was happening—stressful work deadlines, a good yoga session, an argument with the toaster (you know, the usual). It wasn’t fancy, but it was honest. And after a few months, I started to notice something: there were patterns. My best days weren’t the ones where everything went perfectly—they were the ones where I had made time for myself, to breathe, to move, to be still.

And that’s when the magic happened. I started integrating my yoga and meditation practices with my data. I noticed that on the days I took even 10 minutes to do some simple breathing exercises—Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) or 4-7-8 breath—my mood improved. When I practiced yoga, especially gentle or restorative poses like Legs Up the Wall, I slept better. The data wasn’t just numbers—it was telling me the story of what I needed to feel balanced, whole, and genuinely myself.

Using Data to Deepen Spiritual Practice

You might be thinking, “That’s great, but doesn’t tracking everything take away from the spiritual side?” Surprisingly, no. If anything, it deepened my practice. I found myself using my mood tracker not just to analyze but to reflect. On the days when my mood dipped, I’d ask myself why—and then I’d use that knowledge to make changes. If I saw that I was consistently feeling low after skipping meditation for a few days, it was like a gentle nudge from my data-driven self to get back on the mat.

And when things were going well, the tracker became a celebration of the little wins—a reminder that when I showed up for myself, when I breathed, moved, and connected, it made a difference. The rational side of me loved seeing the trends, and the spiritual side loved the reminder that taking care of myself was, in itself, a form of meditation.

A Practical Example: Bringing It All Together

Here’s how it works in practice: every morning, I start with a few minutes of meditation, just sitting quietly with my breath. After that, I open my mood tracker, rate how I’m feeling, and jot down a few notes—anything from “Slept terribly” to “Feeling grateful for the sunshine.” It’s simple, but it’s powerful.

Then I move. Some days it’s yoga—a gentle flow or some restorative poses. Other days, it’s a walk in the garden or a few stretches while I wait for the kettle to boil. And every week, I look back at my tracker. If I notice a dip, I use it as a cue to ask myself: have I been skipping my meditation? Have I been spending too much time worrying about things I can’t control?

This balance of rationality and spirituality has become my compass. The data helps me see what’s working, what’s not, and where I need to focus. The spiritual practice helps me connect, breathe, and remember that not everything needs to be fixed—sometimes it just needs to be felt.

Tips for Balancing Rationality and Spirituality in Your Life

If you’re ready to give this a try, here are some tips to help you find your own balance:

  1. Start a Simple Tracker: You don’t need an app or anything fancy (although if you have an iPhone, the Health App included has an easy-to-use mood tracker built right in). No smartphone? A notebook will do. Each day, rate your mood from 1 to 10 and write down a few notes—what you did, how you felt, and any significant events. It’s not about over-analyzing; it’s about noticing patterns.
  2. Integrate Breathwork: Try Nadi Shodhana or 4-7-8 breathing. Set aside five minutes each day—morning, evening, whenever you can. Notice how your body feels before and after, and make a note in your tracker. Let the data tell you what works.
  3. Move Mindfully: Yoga is a beautiful bridge between rationality and spirituality. Poses like Legs Up the Wall are easy, restorative, and don’t require you to be flexible or fancy. Just give yourself that time to move and breathe.
  4. Reflect, Don’t Obsess: The goal isn’t to track every detail of your life or to force yourself into rigid routines. It’s about using the information you gather to help you understand yourself better, and to be gentle when things don’t go perfectly.

The Beauty in Balance

Balancing rationality and spirituality isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about letting them dance together. It’s using data to help guide your spiritual growth and letting spirituality bring depth and meaning to the numbers. It’s giving yourself the tools to understand and the space to simply be.

So here’s to finding that balance—where the spreadsheet meets the meditation cushion, and where we learn that data and dharma aren’t at odds, but rather two sides of the same beautifully balanced coin.

Post-Menopause: Embracing the Transition with Grace (and a Little Dose of Incredulity)

Hello, wonderful readers! Today, I’m diving into one of the more unexpected chapters of my life—a chapter that begins with cancer, weaves through chemo, and somehow ends up with me in the midst of early menopause, trying to make sense of what exactly happened to my body. Spoiler alert: I didn’t even realize I was in menopause until I’d survived 18 months of treatment and was left standing in the aftermath, blinking at a whole new reality.

How Cancer Treatment Masked Menopause

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, it was like being dropped into survival mode. Everything became about getting through the next treatment, the next day, the next moment. My treatment involved neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and radiation—the full works. And during that time, my body was put through the wringer in ways that I was too focused on survival to fully process. There was hair loss, nausea, exhaustion, and let’s not forget the side effects that made me feel like I was living in a perpetual sauna.

It turns out, I was also going through early menopause. But between the chemo and radiation, I didn’t have the bandwidth to tell the difference. Hot flashes? They felt like just another side effect, blending right in with the sweats and flushes that chemo threw my way. I was simply trying to stay alive, holding on for my boys, and if menopause had decided to join the party, well, I didn’t exactly have an RSVP list.

Post-Treatment Realization

It wasn’t until I finished the 18 months of life-saving treatment that the reality of menopause hit me. Suddenly, there was a stillness, a strange sense of “What now?” After months of focusing on fighting for my life, I was left with the quiet realization that my body had changed dramatically. The hot flashes were still there, but now they didn’t come with the label of chemo side effects. The sleep disturbances, mood swings, and bone-deep exhaustion were harder to ignore, no longer hidden beneath the noise of treatment.

But perhaps the biggest revelation came in the form of anxiety. After everything I’d been through, I was left feeling like I was constantly on edge—heart pounding, mind racing. A well-meaning counselor gently suggested that I was likely experiencing anxiety. I remember blinking at her, completely incredulous. “Really? You think?” I replied, unable to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. “I just thought I was Type A and highly efficient.”

It turns out, trying to stay alive for my boys had taken its toll. Anxiety had become my default mode, and the idea of adding more medication to my already lengthy regimen didn’t sit well with me. So, I did what I knew best—I started researching, and that’s when I stumbled upon meditation. The idea of finding calm without a prescription was too appealing to pass up, and that simple quest to manage anxiety without medication eventually led me to yoga.

Yoga: My Path Back to Balance

Yoga didn’t come into my life as a graceful calling. It arrived as a lifeline—a way to bring my body and mind back into some kind of balance after months of fighting just to stay alive. It was the start of reconnecting with a body I’d felt disconnected from for far too long.

Breathwork (Pranayama): One of the first things I learned was Nadi Shodhana—alternate nostril breathing. In a world that had felt chaotic and overwhelming, this simple practice brought a sense of control. It didn’t matter if the hot flashes were from menopause or remnants of chemo—what mattered was that I had a way to breathe through them, to find my way back to myself, one breath at a time.

Restorative Yoga Poses: Physically, my body was exhausted. Restorative yoga became my haven—gentle movements that allowed me to honor what my body had been through, rather than push it further. Legs Up the Wall was a nightly ritual, and Child’s Pose reminded me that sometimes, surrender is the strongest thing you can do. I needed rest, not rigor, and yoga gave me permission to take that rest without guilt.

Mantra Meditation: Emotionally, I was still on that rollercoaster—sometimes feeling deep gratitude, other times overwhelmed by the smallest things. Meditation gave me a new tool, and my mantra became “I am enough.” It was a simple statement, but after months of battling cancer and then facing menopause, it was exactly what I needed: a reminder that, in all my imperfection and struggle, I was still enough.

Tips for Embracing the Transition (Especially When You Didn’t See It Coming)

So, if you find yourself thrown into menopause when you least expect it—whether by chemo, life, or some other curveball—here are a few things that helped me find some grace (and humor) in the chaos:

  1. Acknowledge What’s Happening: I spent a long time disconnected from my body, ignoring the signals it was sending me. One of the most powerful things I did was simply acknowledge, “Hey, I’m going through something big here.” Body scan meditations helped me reconnect—taking the time to feel each part of my body, without judgment, and recognizing what I needed.
  2. Breathe Like Your Life Depends on It (Because Sometimes It Feels Like It Does): 4-7-8 breathing became a lifeline when anxiety and hot flashes threatened to take over. Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8. It’s amazing how something as simple as breathing can pull you back from the edge.
  3. Rest Without Shame: Restorative yoga taught me that rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Poses like Legs Up the Wall allowed me to let go of the day’s tension, and reminded me that after everything my body had been through, it deserved my care, not my criticism.
  4. Laugh at the Absurdity: Anxiety, menopause, hot flashes—it’s a lot. But finding humor in the absurdity of it all became my saving grace. Like the time I snapped at my well-meaning counselor because, yes, anxiety is kind of inevitable when you’re fighting cancer. Or the countless moments I woke up drenched in sweat and just had to laugh because, honestly, what else can you do?
  5. Embrace the Imperfection: I learned a lot about balance through Tree Pose—sometimes I could hold steady, and other times I wobbled or fell. And that’s okay. Embracing the imperfection, the fact that balance isn’t a destination but an ongoing practice, made all the difference. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about showing up, wobble and all.

Finding Grace, Even in the Unexpected

I wish I could say that early menopause has been a walk in the park, but the truth is, it’s been more like a stumble through unfamiliar terrain. The cancer treatment masked the symptoms, and by the time I realized what was happening, I was already in the thick of it. But through it all—through the anxiety, the sleepless nights, the endless waves of heat—I found moments of grace. I learned to reconnect with my body, to be patient with myself, and to find humor even in the most ridiculous moments.

Cancer forced me into survival mode, and menopause added another layer to that journey. But here I am, navigating it all, one breath, one yoga pose, one laugh at a time. And if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that there is beauty in surviving, in learning to thrive, and in embracing every imperfect part of who we are.

So here’s to the next chapter—whatever it may bring. Here’s to acknowledging the struggle, finding humor where we can, and celebrating the fact that we’re still here, still enough, and still growing.