I also really loved this essay and, in particular, this sentence, which really captures my feelings about this anything-but-wonderful new trend:
"We’ve learned from experience that business will try to turn us into big $$$, but words like “market” and “invest” don’t make me hopeful for any meaningful advance in the understanding and management of our middle chapter. Gwyneth saying that menopause just needs “a bit of rebranding" only makes my symptoms flare - especially the rage."
Like you, I really enjoyed Darcey Steinke's memoir FLASH COUNT DIARY. (It's one of the books I drew upon while researching the menopause chapter of my midlife book.) I also found WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS by Heather Corinna and THE SLOW MOON CLIMBS: THE SCIENCE, HISTORY, AND MEANING OF MENOPAUSE to be both thought-provoking and incredibly validating. Maybe you've read and enjoyed these books, too.
Love this essay! Previously, one of the small upsides to menopause was the feeling that one was finally escaping the worst parts of the beauty industrial complex. I'm very interested, and ready to embrace, being middle aged.
Great great piece, Lisa! I remain fascinated by middle age which is hazily defined at best. I find myself thinking of myself as middle aged even as I edge towards my late sixties. Still, I like it for what it is: the time when I can stop trying to be young and seize the rich possibilities that remain. I need to think some more about the fact that I suddenly care about putting on makeup more expertly and "appropriately" now even as I twist my graying hair into a ponytail.
I also really loved this essay and, in particular, this sentence, which really captures my feelings about this anything-but-wonderful new trend:
"We’ve learned from experience that business will try to turn us into big $$$, but words like “market” and “invest” don’t make me hopeful for any meaningful advance in the understanding and management of our middle chapter. Gwyneth saying that menopause just needs “a bit of rebranding" only makes my symptoms flare - especially the rage."
Like you, I really enjoyed Darcey Steinke's memoir FLASH COUNT DIARY. (It's one of the books I drew upon while researching the menopause chapter of my midlife book.) I also found WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS by Heather Corinna and THE SLOW MOON CLIMBS: THE SCIENCE, HISTORY, AND MEANING OF MENOPAUSE to be both thought-provoking and incredibly validating. Maybe you've read and enjoyed these books, too.
Love this essay! Previously, one of the small upsides to menopause was the feeling that one was finally escaping the worst parts of the beauty industrial complex. I'm very interested, and ready to embrace, being middle aged.
As you mentioned, the only way is forward.
Great great piece, Lisa! I remain fascinated by middle age which is hazily defined at best. I find myself thinking of myself as middle aged even as I edge towards my late sixties. Still, I like it for what it is: the time when I can stop trying to be young and seize the rich possibilities that remain. I need to think some more about the fact that I suddenly care about putting on makeup more expertly and "appropriately" now even as I twist my graying hair into a ponytail.
Did I just see that short Italian man running down our road crying his eyes out!😂