Experiencing Loss of Confidence During the Menopause? Read this.
Let’s Talk About The Impact Menopause Has On Our Body Confidence
If you’re reading this, I’m probably about to preach to the choir. But let’s dive into the overview, just in case.
The menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life that can bring about various physical symptoms and emotional changes. For many women, one significant impact of menopause is on a dip in their confidence and self esteem levels. There are many very, very, very, valid reasons behind this loss of confidence.
The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to symptoms like low mood, hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue. Not to mention, there’s also the physical changes that often accompany menopause, such as weight gain and skin changes. Oh, and did we mention vaginal dryness? Or the impacts it has on libido? As the body goes through these transformations, a lot of women can find it a huge challenge.
It is absolutely mind-boggling that menopause, and the mental health consequences, are not discussed more. SO many Divas come to us because of these very impacts and so many of these women feel alone in their suffering. But it is so important to remember that fluctuations in confidence during this time is SO normal.
If you’re going through it right now, you may feel a little lost. Like your best years are behind you. This isn’t true. We know it’s not true because we see hundreds of women a year who ride the menopause wave and come out the other side!
Weight gain, mood swings, dry hoo-ha’s - nothing gets the better of a Diva.
And to show you exactly that, we thought we would talk to gorgeous Susan who booked us a session as a consequence of going through the menopause!
What is your name and age?
My name is Susan, and I’m 48 years old. I came in for my Boudoir experience last year!
What made you decide to book your Divine Divas Experience?
After suffering from a few years of bad peri-menopause, I had a realistation that I no longer wanted to feel bad and booking the shoot was part of my recovery.
You mentioned that this was partially about you finding yourself after menopause. How did the menopause impact you, if you don’t mind telling us?
During these very bad few years of peri-menopuse, I was bleeding more than I wasn't. I put on a lot of weight and lost all my confidence. I felt drained and very down and didn't ever feel sexy. Even when my husband told me I was, I just didn't have that belief in myself.
After my bleeding had calmed down, I started to feel more grateful for my body. It was all of this combined that pushed me to do the Boudoir experience.
Doing the Boudoir Experience increased my confidence futher and made me feel happy in my body. I felt happy to show it off!
What would you say to other woman experiencing similar things with the menopause? Do you have any advice for those people?
I would say to other women that are going through menopause - just try and stay strong, this will not last forever. Whatever you are going through, try to stay positive. Be thankful for all of the good things in your life and try not to focus on the bad things that are happening to your body.
Also, whenever you can do something or dress in something that makes you feel good - do it!
We have quite in-depth phone calls with you before your experience! Do you feel that it was an important part of the photography experience?
The phone calls are a good addition to the experience as it helps you build a bond between yourself and the team!
Having a professional makeup artist work with you on the day, do you think this added to the experience, and what did it do for your confidence coming into the shoot ??
Having my make-up done on the day was a very lovely treat and made the day feel even more special. The glass of fizz was very welcome too!
A lot of women feel self-conscious about having a boudoir experience, knowing what you know now, what would you say to any woman feeling a little self-conscious about herself and treating herself to this experience?
Personally, I felt a little nervous about doing the photoshoot but with everyone being so lovely and positive, those worries soon went away.
Of course, everyone is going to feel a little self-conscious when you’re posing in very little in front of strangers but everyone you speak too makes you feel comfortable. By the end of the experience, the team feel like old friends and you don't even realise you are sat in your underwear.
Also, the photoshoot itself was amazing. Jesse made me feel comfortable and explained everything he needed me to do to get the best photos. I loved every minute of my shoot.
How have other people in your life benefited from this experience? What have they said about your photos!
My husband loves the artwork. He is so happy that I, and everyone else, can see me as he has always seen me.
My husband and I at the Divine Divas party!
Confidence is a big thing - in fact it is everything. How has this boudoir experience elevated who you are in different areas of your life - for example has this confidence affected your relationship or your career? How do you feel in your body now?
The Boudoir experience gave me so much confidence; a fact which has empowered me to go for my goals! I have now been signed up to do television work, and written a book! So this experience has totally changed my life and will hopefully continue to!
If this experience helped you find part of you that you believe you had lost or maybe felt you had to hide away, which part of you do you believe you have been able to rediscover because of your boudoir experience with us?
I believe this experience confirmed what I was starting to rediscover; that I needed to love myself again. It showed me that I could, and needed to, find that ‘me’ who had got lost, and that I could be a strong, confident and sexy woman.
What stood out for you about this experience?
The thing that stood out the most, throughout my experience, was the people. Everyone I came in contact with was fantastic. I don't think it would be the same without the wonderful team.
Where is your artwork in your home? How does it make you feel every time you see it?
I purchased the treasure box and it now has pride of place on my bookshelf in my living room. I rotate the photos weekly and they are out for everyone to see!
So many people have said that this is the best money that they have ever spent on themselves. We know we are not cheap, but sometimes we just need to know that we are worth spoiling. Do you believe that what you received was valuable and thinking about it now, do you believe that this was money well spent?
Yes, it is a lot of money but I wouldn't change spending that money for anything else. It is definitely worth it.
Do you want to add anything else?! If you want to touch upon anything I haven't asked then please do go for it!
Finally, I just wanted to say thank you to the Divas team. You are amazing people!
Plus, please look out for my first novel, ‘The Habit I Cannot Break’ which is being published this year! Another amazing thing I have accomplished through finding my confidence after peri-menopause.
We are so passionate about helping women throughout the menopause, and making sure they can still feel confident in themselves, and their body, during this time. Additionally, we so deeply believe that the topic should be discussed among people of all ages. It is so important that younger women know what the menopause looks and feels like, so they can prepare for it and, crucially, feel less alone during that time period.
There are lots of thing that can aid a Diva during the menopause like regular exercise and going on HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) but it’s also important to consider that the changes our body and minds go through during this time are normal, and women shouldn’t have to feel unattractive and isolated because of that!
In the interest of continuing the topic, you may find this other blog interesting!
Did Your Sex Life Nosedive Because of The Menopause? Here’s What Our Divas Had To Say