Second Spring

I didn’t realize how much menopause had been affecting my everyday life until I started paying attention to it. Lately I’ve just felt more like ME again. That’s honestly the best way I can describe it.

I was so tired of waking up in the middle of the night feeling hot and uncomfortable. My nights have felt much calmer lately and I’m finally waking up feeling like I actually slept.

He asked me the other day if I’d been feeling better because apparently I’d been ‘less annoyed with everyone lately.’ Rude 😂 but also… he wasn’t wrong.

I’m almost finished with my second bottle and already have more in the cabinet. At this stage of my life I’m not interested in constantly switching products. If something fits my routine, I stick with it.

Tank top, cardigan, sweater off, sweater back on… women who know, KNOW. Things have felt much more manageable lately and I’m very grateful for that.

My sister is a couple of years ahead of me with menopause, so we talk about EVERYTHING. I told her about Second Spring and now we’re both taking it. It’s actually nice having someone to compare notes with.

For months I was sleeping half uncovered with a fan pointed directly at me. I realized recently that I’d actually made it through several nights under the comforter. Such a small thing, but if you know, you know.

This stage caught me completely off guard. I wasn’t prepared for how different I would feel. Building a routine around taking care of myself has helped me feel much more in control again.

She and I have been going through menopause at almost exactly the same time, so our conversations are VERY different than they were ten years ago 😂 I gave her a bottle and now she’s getting her own.

My bedside fan has basically been my third partner for the last year 😂 I still keep it there, but I’m not reaching for it constantly anymore.

I spent so much time just putting up with feeling uncomfortable because I thought that was what menopause was supposed to be. I finally decided I deserved to actually prioritize myself through this stage.

I started with the smaller option because I wanted to see how it fit into my routine. When it was time to reorder, I didn’t hesitate and went for the larger pack. I’d rather have it in the cabinet than realize I’m out.

There’s something about calling this stage a ‘second spring’ instead of making women feel like everything good is behind us. I know it’s just a name, but I genuinely love the mindset behind it.

Dinner with the girls used to be dating stories and vacations. Now we’re comparing menopause notes and asking who has a fan in every room. I mentioned Second Spring at dinner and suddenly everyone wanted the details.

I thought I’d have a few hot flashes and move on with my life. I was not prepared for how much this stage could affect my routine and how I felt day to day. I’m glad I finally started being more intentional about supporting myself.

He used to complain that our bedroom felt like a refrigerator because I needed the AC so cold at night. Let’s just say there have been significantly fewer thermostat arguments lately.

I spent years buying supplements for everyone else in my family and barely thinking about myself. Second Spring feels like something I chose specifically for this chapter of MY life.

I mentioned Second Spring during one of our menopause vent sessions. A few weeks later she asked me about it again and literally texted ‘okay, order me some when you get yours.’ Apparently we do menopause group orders now.

I could deal with a lot, but waking up uncomfortable and then being exhausted the next day was getting old FAST. My evenings have felt much easier lately, and that alone means a lot to me.

I wanted to give myself enough time before deciding whether something deserved a permanent spot in my routine. I’m opening bottle three now, so I think I have my answer.

Nobody prepared me for the ‘is it hot in here or is it just me?’ phase of life. It’s been a journey. I’m just happy I’m finally paying attention to what my body needs instead of trying to ignore it.

I was complaining about menopause and my mom basically said, ‘NOW you understand what I went through.’ Thanks Mom 😂 She’s been giving me advice ever since.

I don’t want a product telling me I need to turn back the clock. I just want to feel good in the stage I’m actually in. That’s what I like about the whole Second Spring idea.

We’ve always shared beauty products and clothes. Apparently now we share menopause recommendations too 😂 Getting older with a sister is an experience.

When you’ve spent half the night waking up, mornings are rough. Feeling more rested has made such a difference to how I start my day. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed waking up and just… feeling okay.

For a while I kept telling myself to just get on with it. Eventually I realized there’s nothing wrong with actually taking care of myself through this transition. I wish I’d had that mindset from the beginning.

I told him that name is absolutely NOT allowed, but unfortunately he thinks he’s hilarious. I will admit I’ve been feeling much more like myself lately though.

There are three of us going through menopause around the same time and our lunch conversations are honestly hilarious. Someone is always too hot, someone didn’t sleep, someone forgot why she walked into a room. Second Spring came up and suddenly we had a full roundtable discussion.

Travel already messes with my routine enough. I started keeping my essentials packed so I don’t have to remember everything every time. Second Spring officially made the permanent travel-bag list.

That was my attitude for way too long. Hot, uncomfortable, tired, irritable — ‘well, I guess this is menopause.’ Eventually I decided this chapter deserved more care than that.

This isn’t something I wanted to take randomly for a few days. Once I decided it belonged in my routine, I wanted enough at home to actually stay consistent.

I can’t magically be 30 again and honestly I don’t want to be. I just want to feel comfortable, confident and like myself in THIS chapter. That’s the goal.

She picked it up, read ‘for menopause wellness’ and just looked at me like, ‘Girl. Tell me everything.’ 😂 No explanation necessary when you’re both going through it.

My family may appreciate my current self-care routine even more than I do. I’ll leave it at that.

I love thinking of menopause as a new season instead of something we’re supposed to dread. I’m taking better care of myself now than I did in my thirties, and I’m actually proud of that.

I knew I wanted to give my routine proper time instead of jumping from one thing to another. Having several bottles already at home means I’m not constantly stopping and starting.

I finally mentioned what I’d added to my routine and she immediately wanted the details. Apparently I’m supposed to report every menopause-related discovery to her now 😂

I spent decades taking care of kids, work, family, everyone. This stage of life has made me realize I need to be on that list too. Second Spring has become one small part of doing that.