Menopausal Monday

Self Talk

Thinking about this coming year’s resolutions. Following on from last year’s “raisins”, I am keeping right about the same premise: me first. I probably need to explain the “raisins” reference. Every NYE, those of us who follow some Portuguese traditions (even abroad) set 12 raisins aside to be eaten by midnight on the 1st Jan, and each raisin is followed by a secret wish for the year ahead.

As a Gen X, I’m quite a low maintenance kinda woman, so my wants often merge with my needs. This carries a huge portion of that sustainability mentality that people around my age will share: nothing is wasted, not even time. Although this is sometimes a deceitful mindset that doesn’t correspond to reality, but there you go… It makes us feel accomplished that we’ve made savings 😂

So I’m going “dry” in January. I don’t have to go over the benefits it can bring; everybody knows. It’s more about whether those who enjoy a drink can put their relationship with alcohol to the test and go for a whole month without it.

But alongside that, I will be taking a further three main actions to get myself back onto a healthy lifestyle:

• 1) Water;
• 2) Exercise;
• 3) no white products;
• 4) Three staple meals/day + Two healthy snacks;
• 5) No carbs at dinner.

Sticking to these three and a few more I found work for me should do the trick. My body is screaming for a reset. Then the rest is all about doing more of what brings me joy and less of what gives me grief. This should be easy enough… (Just watch me failing. Lol!)

To 2026🥂