It's not a pretty topic but at least I can try to laugh at it now.

I'll admit it. I haven't always taken care of myself the way I should have. But all in all, I've done a decent job. During the years when I was taking care of my ill elderly mom, my five kids, trying to run a book business, and maintain a semblance of a relationship with my husband, I slacked on the self-care.

There were years I took care of my physical health - worked out every day - but let all the other aspects of health (mental, emotional, and spiritual) lacking. There were years I tried to overcompensate by focusing on the others aspects with daily meditations taking the place of working out. I never found a balance.

So when I finally found some balance with all life aspects (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) I got blindsided by something I wasn't expecting but should have.

The big "M"

After my mom's passing in late 2023, I took all of 2024 to get myself right.

Working out? Check. Daily walking and daily yoga.

Meditating? Check. Sometimes morning and at night before bed.

Watching what I eat? Check. I removed gluten and dairy from my diet and actually learned I like vegetables.

What happened?

Nothing I expected.

Weight gain.

Clothes not fitting right in certain places. IYKYK

Brain fog.

Mood swings.

Fatigue. LOTS of fatigue.

Unable to drink anything with alcohol.

MIGRAINES! I went from once a month migraines to 3 times a week!!!

WHAT. THE. HOLY. HANDBELLS. BATMAN?

What is the newfound nightmare I'm living?

Okay, I may have suspected the answer for a while. But I had to face facts when my new doctor (who happens to be a certified menopause physician) listened to my complaints, nodded her head like she knew exactly what I was talking about, and said the obvious.

What I learned is what I was doing to take care of myself was no longer working because my body didn't have the right ingredients to keep myself from falling apart. I needed to make a few changes. Okay, more than a few.

So I'm doing things differently. I won't bore you with all the details here (especially for those readers who are not going through this and can't possibly imagine it ever happening to them - trust me, it will sooner than you think), but from time to time I will probably feel the need to share. I promise to try not to over-share.

My one big takeaway has been the need to change up my workout. Walking 5 miles a day and doing an hour of yoga wasn't having ANY effect. HOWEVER, I added a 12 pound weighted vest to my walks (some call it a ruck vest or ruck sack). HUGE difference in the workout and I'm already seeing benefits of this one small change. I also added weightlifting (light weights, more reps, 2x/week).

You may ask, what does this have to do with anything? What does it have to do with my writing?

Actually, a lot!

1) I will share any nuggets of wisdom I can for those going through the same, and will gladly accept any nuggets of wisdom from those who have already been on this ride. I care about my readers.

2) It's affected my writing substantially. My newest book (currently in the editing phase) carries the subtitle: Midlife Misadventures of a Medium Mom. "Medium" not being size but a psychic medium. A bit of a switch-up from the eternally-young paranormal romantic heroine I normally write.

So......... that's a small tidbit of what's up with me these days. Please feel free to share any helpful tips for surviving the "Big M" rodeo.

Love to all,

KC