The Diary of a middle aged female business owner - w/c 13th March 2023

From surviving back to thriving.....

It’s been 4 days since posting about the struggles I have been facing both personally and with the business. When you post something so raw and personal, it’s pretty scary as you never quite know what reaction you’re going to get. 

I should’ve known my customers would have my back. There was an incredible outpouring of support and sharing of wonderful messages both publicly and slipping into my DM’s 😉. 

What struck me the most was how many people are also dealing with their fair share of sh**e right now. It’s a tough time. Especially if you’re running your own business as there’s the added personal responsibility you have for your own job and the jobs of your staff. 

It’s also been 4 days since I’ve been back on my anti-depressant medication and I have to say I feel a lot better. I have had mild nausea, a few headaches and body aches as my body ‘beds’ back in but overall it has really taken the edge of my anxiety and curbed my daily habit of clocking every single thing that is ‘wrong’ in my house, my job, my life 🙄.

I went for a walk at lunchtime along the Basingstoke canal as I often do to clear my head, it’s so peaceful there. Funnily enough as I was walking home I saw two ducks on the water literally battling to try and swim upstream in the face of strong winds. What a metaphor for my life 😂. I watched them for a while then went along my way also battling against the wind! But this time I felt a peace with the wind, I acknowledged it, it was there but it wasn’t going to stop me. 

I have enrolled a coach - an amazing lady called Amantha King who was one of the speakers at my menopause cafe. I knew Amantha was the right person to coach me. She radiates positivity and energy and she’s highly relatable, skilled and successful at what she does. She’s also a menopause expert so that really ties in with the other elephant in the room of my life 😂.

I’ve had an introductory call with Amantha and I already feel a shift. There’s something about taking action that is so key to unlocking your pain and power. 

Amantha raised the possibility of me having ‘progesterone sensitivity’ as I am on the mini pill (which is progesterone only) as well as taking Utrogestan (the body identical pill form of progesterone) - and sensitivity to it can cause really low mood - so that’s another one to ponder and add to the forever changing menopause journey. I’ll think about it another day though - I’ve just gone back on the citalopram and sometimes I think it’s wise to handle one battle at a time 🤯🤪🤣. 

Please feel free to share any insights…..I love hearing from you. Claire xx