Turning 50…the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I am 5 months into my 50th year and so far, it’s my favourite decade!

Quick back story…

I’m originally from Nova Scotia (which will always be home). After college I moved to Banff/Canmore Alberta for 5 years, which were INCREDIBLE years. Fortunately I have always felt pretty confident in new surroundings so the transition to another province where I didn’t know anyone was pretty smooth. The experience of resort life is amazing for everyone, confident or more reserved. EVERYONE is alone in a crowd of new people, so you quickly make new friends and learn to build a life around people that bring you Joy.

In my late 20’s , I moved to Ontario, which at the time I thought was a stepping stone to going all the way to Nova Scotia. Well, that didn’t happen as planned. I made my life in Ontario and have enjoyed my 30’s and 40’s here building a life and a career and community of friends and colleagues that I adore. I do still go home to Nova Scotia every year!

As my 40’s started to dwindle down…48…49…I was starting to feel ALL the fun that perimenopause brings. More on that when I get to the good stuff….

Here I sit, drinking my Red Rose tea, with foamy almond milk/chai mix on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon/sugar, watching my Orioles snack on their grape jelly, and I feel really good.

I am right where I am supposed to be, right now.

The beginning of my Menopause Era

I was 45 in 2020. The thick of perimenopause and all that came along with living in 2020. Everyone had their own unique experience in the years that followed 2020. For some it was so hard and seemingly impossible to navigate. For others, the world kept spinning and they kept going to work. For me, I was fortunate enough to be able to work from home (which now makes me twitch to do), and also I went DEEP on self improvement and hobbies. Anything to keep my mind happy and my heart filled with Joy!

February of 2020 I was so optimistic for the year to unfold. I had just had a few photo sessions to build my Boudoir Portfolio with a new style that I loved, and was excited to start my marketing.

A few short weeks later, as I was editing all the sessions, everything came to a screeching halt and I was sitting on the couch wondering what was next. How do I keep the spark that had been ignited from the sessions going?

You know who you can photograph when there is no one to photograph?

Yourself!

I didn’t realize it at the time, but my journey of professional selfies, was also my journey of perimenopause/menopause.

I very quickly learned how to pose, look for flattering light and angles all while NOT seeing through the viewfinder of my camera.

I took, probably 10’s of 1000’s of photos over the next few years and kept maybe 100’s. It is a journey of grace and acceptance.

What I learned most, was how to look at photo’s of myself with kinder more forgiving eyes. I was feeling ALL the feels of perimenopause, which you may know, can change within 2-3 minutes multiple times a day 🤣.

I started to actually like seeing myself in photos. As my body changed, so did my angles and posing, and that’s what learning the skills is all about. I started to accept, right in front the camera, that I wasn’t 20-30 anymore, and that was totally fine. Great even.

I was becoming more accepting, more patient (and more agitated, lol…all at the same time), and more aware of the lack of support and education there is out there on menopause and this wild ride.

While I am absolutely no pro on the education and medical aspects of menopause, I do know how it feels to ride the wave multiple times a day and how it changes your view on your new self as it compares to your old self.

I absolutely believe in order to navigate this new Menopause Era, we need to learn more about what is happening in our bodies. We need to accept that we are older, wiser and absolutely still RELEVANT!

We also need to learn how to love ourselves and our new bodies in photographs. That’s where I come in. I took all the experience I created for myself over the last few years and created a program to help women, like me, level up on selfie taking. (It will also carry over into taking ALL photographs, not just selfies)

Introducing: The Professional Selfie Program

I am in the BETA phase of launching my Professional Selfie Program, where I teach how to see light, understand angles and expressions, and posing/styling for maximum flattery.

I am opening up the Professional Selfie Program today and the first 20 to purchase this online (at your own pace) program, will be able to use the special coupon code “smile100”, for $100 Savings, ONLY $50 for the first 20 people to sign up.

The Professional Selfie Program is 3 hours of content and the chapters include:

• Intro to camera settings
• Gear and props
• Location
• Styling
• Lighting
• Posing (this is a long chapter)
• Expression

Since I am in my BETA phase, any and all feedback is encouraged. Don’t forget to use smile100 coupon at checkout.

If there are any weird glitches, let me know. It’s my first launch, so I anticipate weirdness. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if everything goes super smooth. (I do have a few participants and everything went smooth for them, so I am cautiously optimistic) 😁

I will be building more content in the coming few weeks with a focused chapter on just using only Smartphones. This will be auto uploaded into your Dashboard as soon as it’s available.

So, now…for the Good, the BAD and the ugly of turning 50.

The Good

I am much more likely to say NO to things that don’t bring me joy, fill my cup or don’t feel authentic to me. Saying no and setting boundaries (with the help of my mental health practitioner), has been a game changer over the last year.

I sought outside help as soon as I realized I couldn’t control the turmoil and frustrations around me and I was no longer feeling more joy than frustration. The scales have been tipped in the favour of JOY in the last year as I put in the work on myself and my mental well being.

The Bad

Not necessarily bad for me. I have changed. I’m not the same person I was even a couple years ago. I’m much more aware of what’s important to me. I have a much better understanding of what’s important to me and what my natural strengths are and I am ONLY leaning into them. I am no longer trying to be all things to all people. I’m niching down my community around me. If you are reading this…you made the cut 🤣

The Ugly

Although very much under control now with changes to my diet, exercise and supplements, the hot flashes are UGLY. They still rear their ugly head a few times a day but NOT with the intensity of out of control burning wildfires. They are subdued to a small campfire that is about to extinguish on its own. I’ll link a few things that have helped me with these. (Affiliate links)

EmbrWave 2

Hormone Harmony Supplements

The New Menopause Book

I will say, these are things I educated myself on and basically experimented with from the internet. Nothing beats talking to your family doctor or in my experience, bringing in a Naturopath for a more holistic approach to your entire health and wellness, not just treating specific symptoms. No judgement here on the path you take.

We are all different, and perimenopause/menopause affects everyone so differently. It’s a savage ERA that you need to hang on tight and laugh with your friends that are on the same ride. Together, we will talk it out, educate ourselves and THRIVE in our 50’s and beyond!

We earned this time.

It’s time to shine bright like the diamonds we are!

“What’s a girl gonna do…a diamond’s gotta shine”…Taylor Swift.