Menobodies

Shame in Perimenopause


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Hey there, Menobody! ☕✨

How are you today?

What feels in your control right now? And what feels completely chaotic?

If I'm being honest, perimenopause has me feeling like a lot is out of my control these days.
Symptoms seem to change from week to week, finding solutions takes time, and life keeps life-ing. 😅

So before we dive in, let's raise our coffee mugs together.

☕ Cheers to continuing to show up for ourselves.

💪 Cheers to navigating perimenopause—even though we didn't choose it.

🎧 Cheers to learning, growing, and supporting one another through this journey.


When Working Harder Doesn't Work

Have you ever noticed changes in your body and immediately doubled down on everything that used to work?

I recently talked with another Menobody about unexpected weight gain and rising cholesterol. Neither of us had changed our nutrition or exercise habits. In fact, we were doing all the "right" things.

So we worked harder.

🏃 More exercise.

🥗 More focus on nutrition.

📊 More tracking.

And guess what?

Nothing changed.
Cue frustration.

Cue confusion.

Cue shame.


The Problem with Shame

Many of us feel shame when our bodies change, when we're more tired than usual, more irritable, more emotional, or when we don't feel like ourselves.

But here's what I want you to hear:

Perimenopause is not a personal failure. 💜

Women's bodies have been surrounded by silence, stigma, and misunderstanding for generations. That's one reason I started Menobodies—to help change that conversation and remind women they are not alone.


Shame vs. Guilt

One lesson I share often is this:

Shame says: "Something is wrong with me."


Guilt says: "I did something wrong, but I'm still a good person."

That's a powerful difference.

Guilt helps us learn and grow.

Shame makes us believe we are the problem.

And Menobody, you are not the problem. ❤️


A Quick Reminder

The next time you feel frustrated by a symptom, body change, or challenge, try telling yourself:

✨ This is happening, and I can handle it.

✨ I am allowed to ask for support.

✨ My body changing does not make me less worthy.

✨ I am good, even on hard days.

As Emma Warwick-McElhinney writes in P!ss Off Perimenopause:

"You're adapting. And that takes support, not shame."

Amen to that. 🙌


Let's Keep the Conversation Going

Have you struggled with shame, body changes, or self-doubt during perimenopause?

📱 DM Menobodies on Facebook or Instagram

📧 Email: [email protected]

Until next time, Menobody...

💜 You are good.

💜 You are worthy.

💜 And shame has no place here.


Referenced in Episode

📖P!ss Off Perimenopause by Emma Warwick McElhinney


Connect with Beth:
💌 Email: [email protected] 
📱 Instagram & Facebook: @menobodies
🌐 Website: www.menobodies.com/home
🗞️Newsletter:www.menobodies.com/newsletter
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MenobodiesBy Beth Lohman