Normal Isn't Just a Town in Illinois

As you enter perimenopause and menopause, you may start to think that there is no such thing as normal anymore except for a town in Illinois. If you’re wondering how a town received such a name, Governor William Bissell signed a bill to create a normal school in 1857. The term "normal" was based on the French teaching schools and was the general name for all schools set up to be teachers’ colleges. So the town took on the name because of the school. Today, Normal spans 16.92 square miles and has a population of 50,519. Do the people in normal live normal lives and feel normal? Hmmmmm.

Marketers and investors talk about “The New Normal” dealing with the challenges in today’s economy and facing things as they are, not as they were.

Perhaps there’s a lesson for us in the “new normal” too. Economists and companies are told the trick is to get real about the new set of challenges we face and what it takes to win in an environment where there are no shortcuts.

Perimenopause and Menopause may be your new normal. This time of life can last from a month to 10 years…or longer. It seems we spend a lot of energy lamenting “what was” when we may need to get real about the new set of challenges we face.

There are at least 35 recognized challenges related to menopause, and that’s just the ones we can put a “title” on. So the real question becomes…what are we going to do about it?

Here’s a pep talk for those of us longing for the “good ole days” that are now past:
1) What’s happening to you is normal, it’s just not the normal you’re used to.
2) Your journey while having many similarities will also be very individual. It is as unique as you are.
3) There’s a ton of information out there! Educate yourself from reliable sources and take the time to understand what is going on in your body.
4) Do what you can. Eat right,watch caffeine, and realize that even if you’ve always been able to do what you want and not gain weight, you probably can’t anymore. More exercise is a reality if you want to offset that appetite.
5) Talk to your girlfriends. They are “walking a mile in your shoes” and yes, misery does love company!
6) Be good to yourself. Quit comparing yourself to unrealistic models in magazines and stop thinking you’re going to look and feel like you did when you were 20. Accept the beauty and wisdom in your stage of life. Do the best you can this day with what is put on your plate, literally and figuratively!!!
7) Take Remifemin® and/or Remifemin® Good Night. We’ve got the science and the track record to be a real solution to some of the things you are going through.
8) Blog and talk to women around the country…you are not alone!

By the way…is anyone reading this from Normal, Illinois? We’d love to hear more about your town. Let’s hear your thoughts on the “new normal” and blog your own pep talk…we all need to hear from you!