LIFE HACKS FOR THE SECOND ACT

As I find myself approaching the big 5 0 within the next year, I’ve been noticing so many changes in my body & mind.

Turning 50 doesn’t really worry me! Having lost people in my life who were far too young, I see ageing as a privilege & something to embrace.

I have many goals, plans & dreams to achieve and accomplish and I still have a huge energy for what’s ahead for my family & I.

What I didn’t foresee however, was how I would feel as perimenopause hit!! The total lack of energy, lack of motivation and just the feeling of ‘blah!’.

I’m very lucky, I have a loving family, a lovely home, food on the table and plenty of life’s luxuries yet at the end of 2023 nothing seemed to be giving me any energy & motivation. Luckily, unlike my mum & many before her, we do now know what this stage of life does to our minds & bodies and I’m so grateful for the wealth of knowledge we can tap into on the internet, tv, podcasts etc and the wonderful women in the public eye who are making it ‘normal’ to talk about it.

So, I have started HRT, why suffer when you can get help hey?!!!! Luckily for me my GP was very knowledgeable about perimenopause and listened without judgement. She put me on the oestrogen gel & progesterone tablets. Although I’m not 100% sure its fully working for me, I will persevere and return to my GP if I don’t see or feel many changes. I am however sleeping much better and since the New Year I’ve had a lot more energy & positivity and I’m feeling much more motivated, so fingers crossed it is.

But what else should we do whilst we’re going through all this I ask?

Well I’m certainly not going to curl up & hibernate however appealing that sounds when you’re feeling exhausted most of the time.

So, for when ‘doing nothing’ is definitely not in your vocabulary, I decided to put together a few ‘life hacks for the second act’ to help perimenopausal women like me reclaim their energy, mojo & zest for life which is good for the soul!!!

 

1.    Get out walking in the fresh air

2.    Start a gratitude journal

3.    De clutter

4.    Exercise

5.    Meet up with friends on a regular basis

6.    Let go of negative self talk

7.    Take free courses to improve your skills & stimulate your mind

8.    Update your CV & take the plunge NOW if you want a career change

9.    Eat as clean as you can & ensure you’re taking the best daily supplements for you

10.                       Start a new hobby or pastime

11.                       Read more to improve your knowledge

12.                       Always take time for self care

13.                       Reconnect with any passions you may have let slide from your younger years

14.                       Make your surroundings aesthetically pleasing to you

15.                       Celebrate small wins

16.                       Practice mindfulness daily

17.                       Step out of your comfort zone

18.                       But also learn to say no to things that don’t serve you

19.                       Help others & be kind

20.                       Never procrastinate, don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today!

 

Here are also a few little practical life hacks to help your day to day life!

1.    Take a photo of your car in the car park showing clearly which area you’re in, in case you forget where you parked.

2.    Wear Sunscreen every day

3.    Whiten your teeth

4.    Give yourself a home facial once a week & practice a good skincare routine every day

5.    Drink water, lots of water

6.    Use a Gua sha for a few minutes each night

7.    Never miss cancer screenings and health checks

8.    Drink sensibly

9.    Always keep a blanket, de icer, an ice scraper & gloves in your car

10.                       Always carry a small bag inside your handbag containing pain killers, hand sanitizer, a compact mirror, a body spray, fresh pair of underwear & any other small items you could need

11.                       Keep a small amount of cash somewhere separate from your purse such as in your phone case for emergencies

12.                       Keep baby wipes in your car

13.                       Always get the next days clothes and bag ready the night before

14.                       Sleep on satin pillowcases which are good for the skin & hair

15.                       Always carry V. I. Poo in your handbag!

16.                       A portable charger is always very useful if you’re out for the day – don’t forget to charge the portable charger the night before though!!!!!

17.                       Learn basic car skills such as checking the oil, water, changing a tyre.

18.                       When travelling, make your suitcase stand out with either a bright coloured case or a strap so you can see it instantly on the conveyor belt.

19.                        Turn all notifications off on your phone (e mails, social media, DM’s) Getting notifications means you’re constantly in a state of reaction & can never fully switch off.

20.                       Remembers someone’s name by repeating it back to them when they’re introduced to you as in – Hi Laura, nice to meet you. You have a greater chance of remembering someone’s name if you’ve said it out loud. Remembering someone’s name makes them feel important & valued.  

 

‘’ In Life, the first act is always exciting but it is the second act – that’s where the depth comes in’’