Hormone shifts, emotional upheaval, and big life changes…Without a doubt, this season of life has its own set of struggles.  The questions we must ask ourselves are, “what are we going to do about it?”, and “How are we going to choose to handle the difficult times?”In today’s episode of Life after Kids, we’re discussing the importance of accepting and embracing the times in this season of life when we are not okay.  And we’re talking about discerning between when we need to push through a difficult time and when we need to scale back and treat ourselves a little more gently so that we come out on the other side stronger than ever.Key Takeaways:It's important to adjust our expectations and be okay with not always being okay.Hormonal changes during menopause can lead to fluctuating emotions and energy levels.Taking care of ourselves and seeking support during difficult times is crucial.It's okay to scale back and prioritize self-care when going through challenging periods. As women, we often put pressure on ourselves to always be strong and happy, but it's okay to have bad days and go through difficult times. Sometimes we need to adjust our expectations and be kind to ourselves during these periods.   Don’t discount the importance of taking care of yourself and always seek support when needed.  Learn more about accepting and navigating challenges in this phase of life by watching today’s episode of Life after Kids in its entirety.Timestamp Summary | [0:00:13]  | Discussion on being okay with not being okay | [0:02:59]  | Adjusting expectations and accepting fluctuations in life | [0:04:32]  | Using struggles as opportunities for growth | [0:06:37]  | The impact of menopause on emotions and personality | [0:07:48]  | Being prepared for hormonal fluctuations | [0:09:06]  | Unpredictability of hormone cycles in perimenopause | 0:11:25  | Understanding and accepting strengths and weaknesses | 0:12:24  | Appreciating the fluctuating hormones of being a woman | 0:13:18  | Taking it easier on off days and practicing self-care | 0:14:20  | Scaling back and preserving resources during difficult times | 0:16:06  | Balancing between pushing out of comfort zone and self-care | 0:17:44  | Knowing the difference and trusting oneself or seeking support | 0:18:36  | Being aware, accepting, and finding balance in difficult times | 0:19:29  | Recognizing physical signs that indicate it's too much | 0:20:49  | Aligning goals with physical capabilities and adjusting if necessary | 0:22:18  | Understanding the level of effort required for major goals | 0:22:42  | Importance of focusing on mental, emotional, and physical health | 0:23:24  | Being comfortable and happy with where you are is okay | 0:24:00  | Keeping it simple and being happy with what you have | 0:24:33  | Purpose is about making a contribution and feeling fulfilled | 0:25:46  | Purpose helps avoid misdirection and void in lifeLink to Fast Like a Girl (book mentioned) Enjoy the show, and we hope you learn a little bit more about living a fulfilling, vibrant, and meaningful Life after Kids! If you like what you hear please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe, and pass it along to a friend. Making tomorrow even better than today, Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne PS... Don't forget to follow us! Instagram Facebook Tik Tok