5 MantraS for My Life After Menopause

In fact, I am never just the ONE. When I look back on my life, I have gone through many different phases in which I tried out different things. First I was the lonely child, then the pubescent, sad teenager, then the rebellious student, then the devoted, happy but also stressed mother, at the same time the tough ranch woman living with horses, dogs and cats on a farm in Bavaria, but also the filmmaker, until I discovered sculpturing and painting at the age ot 52 started a new career as a bestager-model and on top of that I got divorced. Quite a lot...so who am I actually? Many?!

Now, at 62, my lifelong work has come togethe. I write, paint, model and am still looking for the best way to live my potential as an ageing woman. The idea that my body and/or mind will put a stop to all of this at some point is always present. Everything is transient - including me.

But until then, I want to live my life at my own pace. Today - after menopause - as a no longer fertile woman, I pay attention to different things than when I was younger.

I'll tell you my 5 mantras

1. I make time for my friendships.

Relationships with other women are very important to me. After the menopause, most of us have a lot of experiences to deal with. Love, separation, divorce, children, careers big and small, loss, grief, joy. We women have a lot to tell each other, we can help and understand each other because we are all in the same boat. When we were 25, it was often about self-promotion, competition and jealousy. Today, that is all water under the bridge. We no longer have any energy or time to give away. We are only interested in the essentials, namely growing old emotionally satisfied and happy with like-minded people.

3. Anti-ageing - What a bullshit word!!! I am pro-ageing!

We age! That is a fact and it affects all of us. Why should this natural process be something I am ashamed of and whose signs I have to erase? I am proud of every one of my wrinkles. I have fought hard for them over the years and they tell my story. I refuse to waste the little time I have left thinking about cosmetic surgery, Botox or hyaluronic injections. (I would also like to stress here that I do not judge anyone who chooses this path.) I would rather meet a friend for coffee, paint, write, do some exercise or walk my dog. And that brings me to my next point.

2. I want to grow old healthily.

I can do something about it. I eat mostly vegan and do sports. This helps my body and joints stay healthy and I also release a dose of happiness hormones with every round of exercise.

Small steps towards a healthy, conscious diet and daily exercise are enough to extend your lifespan and, above all, improve your quality of life. By the way, something that really puts you in a good mood is an ice bath, but a cold shower works too.

4. I am more selfish.

Especially for us women, who often go through life as servants, the word "egoistic" usually has negative connotations. But I think we women need a healthy egoism. For example, I have said goodbye to all the energy thieves in my environment. People who talked badly about me behind my back or bombarded me with negative beliefs. Today I surround myself with people who are good for me, who satisfy my soul. This brings me to the fifth point.

5. Simplify your Life

Many years ago, when I went on a 10-month trip around the world, I realized how little you actually need. My life fit into a suitcase. I have never forgotten this experience. I not only got rid of people, but also of objects that weighed down my life. Clothes, knick-knacks, furniture, vases, tablecloths, dishes, books. We accumulate so much junk over the course of a lifetime and don't even notice how it starts to take over us. We have to make room for it, dust it off, rearrange it, create more storage options, etc. So lighten up and get rid of everything that is superfluous.

With this in mind, best regards

Your Simone