BLOG 325: HONESTLY, I WAS READY TO WALK AWAY FROM IT ALL

 "I just can’t do this anymore."

These were the words I said to my husband 18 months ago. I was sitting on our bedroom floor, completely overwhelmed.

It felt like a massive wave had crashed over me.

I truly believed I had to walk away from my business and everything I’d spent the last two decades building professionally.

And honestly, this isn’t the only time I’ve felt this way, especially in my late thirties, early forties, and even now at 43.

I live a full, busy life. One filled with joy and love, and one that I’ve carefully created over the years from a heart-centred place.

But there have been moments in the past five years when I’ve just wanted to escape to run away from all the responsibilities I’ve taken on.

So, why is this happening?

First, I do a lot. Yep, I’m great at self-care, finding balance, and all the wellness practices you’d expect from a yoga expert. My life is literally focused on wellness.

But I also manage an international business, run a home, I’m a mother to two, a wife, and I wear a lot of hats.

Second, I’ve suffered from PMDD (a more severe version of PMS) since I was a teenager. The week before my period, I feel mentally and physically different to how I do the rest of the month. It’s something I’ve struggled with every single month, though most people wouldn’t notice, I've become quite good at hiding it. Thankfully, I can manage it better now, using holistic wellness techniques and by keeping my stress levels low.

PMDD was at its worst during my mid to late teens. I started to notice those symptoms intensify again as I hit my 40s (more on that in a bit!).

Third, I began noticing new symptoms: migraines on the first day of my bleed (which I’d never had before), more anxiety, and heightened feelings of overwhelm at certain points in the month.

That deep urge to “walk away from it all”? Yeah- that’s when it really kicked in.

This all led me to one word: Perimenopause.

Honestly, this was a surprising discovery. My periods are still regular. I don’t get hot flushes. My sleep is good. But it explained the overwhelm! Here’s what I’ve learned:

There are four stages of perimenopause, and stage 1 can start 5, 10, even 15 years before menopause (which usually happens around age 51).

Oh, and here’s a big fact: Menopause is only one day of our life!

Once you haven’t had a period for 12 months, that day marks menopause. The very next day, you’re postmenopausal.

So, what am I doing to manage perimenopause and the symptoms I experience in Stage 1 (and beyond, as I continue this journey)?

1. Reducing my cortisol:
   This is huge for me. When my stress levels are constantly high and cortisol builds up in my body, it disrupts all my other hormones. So being aware of my nervous system and keeping it in a 'rest and digest' state is key.

2. Eating, sleeping, and moving well:
   It might sound obvious, but in my forties, I really feel the difference if I’m not looking after these three things. Whole foods, no alcohol or coffee, low sugar, and staying hydrated really work for me. I aim for 8–9 hours of sleep a night, daily walks, yoga, and gentle strength training.

3. Taking time alone:
   I love my full, busy life, but I recharge alone. It doesn’t need to be long, just a little bit each day. When I skip this, I notice I don’t feel like myself, mentally or physically.

4. Tapping into my intuition:
   One of the best things about being in my 40s is that I trust my intuition more than ever. It’s my moment-by-moment guide to how I should be living and it never leads me wrong.

5. Taking Valerie Daily Essential (Ad – use code DANIELLECOLLINS for 30% off):
   I’ve been taking this for 4 months and it’s made a huge difference, especially with those hormonal migraines.

Daily Essential is an all-in-one liposomal liquid supplement, developed by PhD scientists. The liposomal delivery makes the nutrients more bioavailable, meaning they absorb better, up to 98%, compared to just 10% or less with pills and powders.

It’s super convenient too. One daily shot, delicious wild berry flavour, and you’re done, no need to stack supplements.

Here are the 12 ingredients:

• Ashwagandha

• Magnesium

• Iron

• Zinc

• Selenium

• Chromium

• Curcuminoids

• Vitamin D3

• Vitamin K2

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin C

And here’s why liposomal matters:

• Nutrients are protected and delivered using patent-pending liposomal nanotechnology, like a bubble-wrapped care package.

• Every bottle contains billions of liposomes for maximum absorption into your bloodstream.

• It’s far more effective than traditional supplements, which often get broken down by stomach acid.

• Expect faster and more noticeable results, at least 5x more bioavailable than pills or powders.

Health benefits of Valerie for perimenopause include:

• Hormone regulation: B6 contributes to hormonal balance

• Energy: Iron, magnesium, vitamin C, B6, and B12 reduce tiredness and fatigue

• Psychological function: Magnesium, C, B6, and B12 support mental wellbeing

• Cognitive function: Ashwagandha, iron, and zinc help brain function

• Hair, skin & nails: Selenium, C, and zinc keep them strong and healthy

• Testosterone levels: Zinc helps maintain normal testosterone levels

• Bone density: Magnesium, C, D3, K2, and zinc support bone health

• Teeth & gums: Magnesium, C, and D3 maintain gum and tooth health

• Blood sugar: Chromium helps regulate glucose levels

• Immunity: Curcuminoids, iron, selenium, vitamins C, B6, B12, D3, and zinc all support immune function

• Heart health: Ashwagandha supports cardiovascular wellbeing

• Cell protection: Selenium and zinc protect cells from oxidative stress

• Muscle function: Magnesium, D3, and zinc support muscles and protein synthesis

• Thyroid function: Selenium is essential for thyroid health

• Nervous system regulation: Magnesium, vitamin C, B6, and B12 keep your nervous system functioning well

Alongside all those benefits, I love the mission behind Valerie:
To put the power back in women’s hands by giving them the tools and knowledge they need to take control and live life on their own terms.

And that’s exactly what I plan to do over the next decade, live life on my terms and embrace the positive power of perimenopause.

Oh and with a good balance of vitamins and minerals, self care, time to recharge alone and lots of other holistic techniques like Face Yoga, I don't want to walk away from it all anymore. I am ready to walk towards it all!

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