Two things represented in this picture: tank tops from Target and drawstring’d pants.

True story: I thought that once my period stopped for twelve straight months, I’d be done with the whole perimenopause/menopause situation.

So I was more than a little bit bummed when I passed that magical twelve-month mark about 1.5 years ago, and I was still hot flashing, brain fogging, weight gaining, hormone fluctuating, muscle losing, and all the other interesting, frustrating things that happen as one settles into a new chapter in her body.

Even though I’d like to think I could detour menopause’s transformative path through my body, I think it’s easier to stop Class Five rapids with a wooden paddle. That said, I’ve definitely read and listened and eavesdropped and read some more, and here are seven things that have helped—and continue to help—me through the menopause transition, however (freakin’) long it’s going to take.

FIBER

One fun menopausal symptom I had no clue about: constipation. 

I really do try to get my fiber from foods—lots of fruits and veggies, beans, other legumes—but I’ve found that doesn’t quite cut it. So every night, I add a scoop of Sunfiber to my nightly dose of magnesium (Calm, if you’re wondering). It’s flavorless and doesn’t weigh heavy in my belly at all; in fact, I barely remember I’ve taken it until I sit on the toilet the next morning.

FACIAL RAZOR

I have a new in-the-car hobby: instead of picking of my phone at stop lights, I now stroke my chin, as if I have a beard. My facial hair is limited, thankfully, but an inordinate number of sprouts do congregate in and around my chin in a very weed-like fashion. They seem to multiply as soon as I whisk them away with this sleek facial razor. (I used to pluck them, but my aim is bad and it hurts more to pluck than raze.) I like that this one isn’t disposable, and I replace the blade every few weeks.

(I’m not sure if an extra helping of chin hairs is menopause or just good old aging, btw.)

GREEN TEA

The benefits of green tea are as numerous as my chin hairs—my current favorite perk is that it improves cognition, mood, and brain function—so I have a mug most mornings before my oat milk decaf latte. Yep, you read that right: decaf.

Save my beloved Kona Cola Nuun, which I’ll never give up, green tea is the one hit of caffeine I have daily in an effort to smooth the rough edges of my jagged sleep. I’m not a huge fan of the taste of my mug o’ green, but I’ll sip it in the interest of my health. (Plus, I also like drinking lots of warm beverages in the morning: see fiber entry.)

(Btw, I don’t usually drink this more expensive variety; I’m more of a Yogi or Tazo girl, but this box looks coolest.)

THE ARTIST’S WAY

As a writer, I resisted journaling for years; words were meant to be typed and to form coherent, useful paragraphs. Then I opened up the copy of The Artist’s Way that had been sitting on my shelf for decades (and joined a group of people who were also interested in following it).

While there are gobs of useful prompts and exercises, the main tenet of The Artist’s Way are morning pages: three pages of spilling your head out onto three pieces of paper. I surf the waves of menopause by just writing and feeling my feet on the ground and sipping my green tea. Morning pages don’t have to be good, they don’t have to make sense, they don’t have to be read by anybody, including yourself.

They remind me of exercise: I don’t always want to do it, but after I do, I always feel spiritually lighter and more emotionally balanced, which helps when my hormones are rapidly leaving the building.

SLIM FIT RIBBED HIGH NECK TANK TOP

Another fun fact about menopause: some of my favorite things don’t fit well anymore.

I’m doing my best not to dwell too or step on the scale because that just doesn’t serve me. We did a healing closet-clean-out in Many Happy Miles in May getting rid of clothes that used to make us feel good but don’t any longer. It was a teary, hard stretch hours for me, but after I dropped the boxes off for donation, I haven’t thought much of those clothes since.

Coming in clutch for me during this menopause transition is this tank; it makes me feel put-together and stylish. I probably have eight of these in my drawer—two in navy, one in black, and the rest in a variety of colors—and I wear them for everything from a workout to date night. I love the high neck, the thicker straps, and the arm holes that are cut just right.

If you are reading “ribbed” in its super long name and thinking, not for me, know that the ribbing isn’t the cling-to-every-curve type. (This is an $8 tank from Target, after all.) I sincerely hope they never discontinue this style, as I think its style will age as well as I plan to. (Just in case somebody from Target is reading this…)

AMERICAN EAGLE PANTS

I never bought anything from American Eagle for me or my kids until an internet rabbit hole (search term: extra long pants for spring) brought me to their website. Desperately needing pants that wouldn’t suffocate my stomach on cross-country flights for college tours, I ordered a variety of styles and ended up with two pairs I love. The pair above, no longer available unfortunately, are my favorite: a relaxed button closing with a drawstring waist, a flared silhouette, and functional pockets. Like the tanks above, I still feel like myself in these, which goes a long way when most everything else about my body is unfamiliar.

(If you too have never shopped at AE, take a spin through their pants; they offer short, regular, long, and extra long inseams and sizes 0-20.)

Your turn: What things make menopause easier for you?