Focus, Memory and Menopause

There were so many symptoms of menopause that I was experiencing, that I had no idea were related to menopause. In my previous blogs, I’ve mentioned that I was not in a place to even search or learn about the various symptoms of menopause for about 5 years of my journey. Two of those symptoms were the ability to focus and forgetfulness.

Some days, I think that I am going crazy! I am frustrated and worry about my future self as a senior because I have trouble with my focus and memory. Then, when I finally learned about more symptoms than hot flashes and weight gain, I was relieved to find out that memory problems can be part of the menopause journey for some women.

I have worked part time for many years now. Now and again, my husband will ask me about working full time, but I think to myself, there is no way in hell that I could handle having a full time job at this time! I can’t focus or remember a damn thing! I also used to be able to stay focused and on task, but not during menopause! I move from one thing to another during my day, and while I am completing one thing, my mind is thinking about the next. There are days when I consider that I could have onset menopausal ADHD. I salute those who are working full time during menopause and maintain the brain power to do it because it has been a real challenge for me!

I don’t remember conversations or things that have happened in the past, or yesterday…haha. Most are small things that aren’t very important, so for now I chalk it up to selective memory. If I can’t remember, then it must not be that important.

What I do in an effort to stay on top of my day to day, is have Suri set reminders for everything! Or I put things in my calendar right away so that I won’t forget. I also write things down all of the time too, so that I can go back and double check what I am supposed to be working on. I find the notes app on my phone handy as well, so that I can get thoughts out of my head right away, so that they don’t consume me.

I experience brain fog, and at times trouble articulating. I have to really concentrate on what I am saying in order to speak. In the past, I have contributed it to diet, sugar or stress. I don’t rule them out, as they may be true, but I do believe that it is a symptom of menopause. 

I try to read as much as possible to keep my brain working. I play brain teaser games on my phone as well for my brain health. Luckily, my job is a creative one, so I am exercising my brain in a creative function every day. 

There are times when I can feel my brain getting tired, if that makes sense. I do get brain fatigue, so I try to put my phone down at night and take a mind break from having to think about anything. 

I like to listen to frequency music to help me relax as well. I will take a bath and listen to a specific frequency of music to help me unwind. Doing this is also good for my brain and helps to activate my nervous system, reducing stress and aiding with sleep. If you don’t currently listen to frequency music, I highly recommend it! Negativity is bad for your brain health, so listening to certain frequencies can elevate your mood and bring about better health overall. 

I am very frustrated with my entire menopause journey, as you can tell by me writing this blog. I talk about my life in a very personal way with the hope that other women know that they are not alone, they are not crazy and that it does get better! The frustrating part of this journey has been going through it all! I often wonder why I have been dealt the things to deal with that I have. I admit that I have made decisions along the way that probably have not helped, but I never guessed in my wildest dreams that it would be the way that it has been.

It has been a full time job keeping on top of my mental, physical and emotional health during this time. I could experience a trigger at any time or become so emotionally overwhelmed that I go into meltdown mode.

While all of this has outright sucked, I do see a glimpse of a light at the end of the tunnel at times. I have experienced a reduction in my hot flashes and they are not as intense as they once were. Thankfully, I am sleeping so much better than I used to. Most days I feel good about my life and the direction that it is headed and I am excited about that! I am constantly flooding my brain with positive quotes, phrases and people to remind that life is good and that in spite of the diffucult times, I have a great life! I have learned how to take care of myself better and to put myself first when I need to. I love my job and I love the people that I work with.

Sure, there are still some days where none of it matters and I just have trouble functioning, but they are getting fewer and fewer as time goes on. I am about 7 years into my menopause journey now and I do feel that all of things that I am doing for myself, the light at the end of the tunnel is near!