My Menopause Story

As a lot of you are aware, my happy place is when I have my trainers on, and I am running the roads and fields of the countryside. It's been my happy place for over 30 years and even at 56, this is where I feel alive and inspired.

For a long time over the last 6 years, it became a struggle for me to maintain my running. As soon as the Menopause kicked in approximately six-seven years ago. I gained weight, which was unheard of for me and it felt very challenging. I didn't have any pride in my appearance (and I am not being horrible about myself, but I had lost interest in looking my best). I kept telling myself that I was being authentic and "this is me, this is who I am". I was being authentic and that wasn't a lie but inside it wasn't how I wanted to show up. I literally had no energy to put into my appearance or to exercise and that was so hard for me to accept. Getting up in the morning was my biggest struggle and the "hot flashes" were so uncomfortable (more so during the night). I also had three children relying on me for school run, mealtimes and fun times, as well as Shadow who needed to be walked. Not to mention running a business which requires my energy to be at it's optimal.

I went from running 8-10 miles comfortably to struggling to do 2 miles and sometimes not going at all. I tried other forms of exercise to try and keep fit and healthy during this period. Working out from home as we were in a period of lockdown. None of the other ways fulfilled me. Running had been, and still is my life, over 30 years. Why should I have to give up this thing that brings me so much pleasure? Perhaps you feel the same way and are currently going through something similar. I hear you, I have been you. When menopause strikes it sort of takes over your life. I knew that it didn't have to be this way. It was time to take a deeper dive into what was going on.

I had so many beliefs that came up for me, "maybe running isn't for me anymore", "this is what it is like when you get older" and "I just have to accept that putting on weight is part of being older". My dad always asked me when I was going to hang up my running shoes because he believed that you can't keep exercising forever. You must slow down. He definitely believed that you hit a certain age and it was, "downhill from now on". Wow, I couldn't believe I was taking his beliefs onboard too. This was a moment of clarity for me. All the work that I do revolves around belief systems and programs that we carry from lifetime to lifetime, some inherited from parents or peers. I realised that what was happening to me doesn't have to be this way, and I certainly couldn't imagine my life without physical activity in it. I have always told my children that I will be running the lanes until I am 90 and I really do mean that.

I look back at photos of me 5 years ago and it wasn't how I wanted to look. I wanted to change how I looked and how I felt inside. So that I could have a different feeling and perspective about what this experience was showing me. I did lots of researching about the Menopause. A lot of the research takes you down the hormonal medical solution route. I never wanted to go down that route. I knew that I could make the changes in how I wanted to feel energetically. I believe that the outside is a reflection of the emotions and beliefs we are holding within us. I did the work. I stepped into the Akashic Records and cleared the energetic programs that were holding me in beliefs that were outdated and not of my making. I cleared the programs and heavy emotions that were making me feel not good enough and lacking in self-worth.

I refused to believe that because you get older you cannot do the things that you love. I refused to believe that you have to sit back and become old and sedentary. Menopause doesn't mean the end; it is the beginning of another stage of your life. This is a chance to rebirth a beautiful older, wiser version of me. To rise stronger, healthier and just as vibrant.

Yes, there are hormonal changes and yes, that may mean changing how you eat and other lifestyle adaptations, but it doesn't mean giving up completely. However, I will mention that it is not my role to direct you around food and diet, although I do have a few things that I learned about that helped me and that I am prepared to share during the 'She Who Rises' Program.

I started to question what the beliefs were around menopause. We all know that there is a stage in our life where the menopause comes in and the hormones change. But are we fully prepared for what that means? Do you really know how to change your life to accommodate this change? It is a time in our lives where we are older and wiser and we should be celebrating this change. For most there is almost a foreboding energy.

The biggest contributor to your symptoms of suffering in menopause will be your beliefs. What are your beliefs? I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard someone say, "well, I am at that age!" What age? Is the age where you feel you must slow down or not do the things you used to do. It doesn't have to be this way. Those are just the stories you tell yourself or the stories that have been told to you. I know because I have been there, and I am through the other side and it took some inner battles and some inner healing to let go of the suffering. I had to do the inner work and release some patterns and beliefs that were holding me in the sluggish phase and the beliefs that made me feel like I was getting old.

As a testament to the work, I am running farther and almost up to my 8-mile target. I am feeling healthier and more energized. I take the time to rest when I need to rest but it doesn't mean I have to stop. The "hot flashes" have disappeared. I can get up in the morning and start the day fully energised I love myself again and that is beautiful.

Are you ready to Rise Up and join She Who Rises?

Are you ready to change the way you feel about Menopause and release the programming that is keeping you stuck in suffering? It is time to Rise Up and join me on the journey into the Akashic Records for a 12-week program to reclaim the goddess that you are. We will work within certain areas of beliefs, e.g. self-sabotage, self-worth and, of course, self-love. This journey is all about reclaiming the part of you who is ready to embrace the midlife stage of your life with ease and grace and let go of the resistance.

This is a time of divine feminine wisdom to celebrate not to suffer.

If you feel drawn to join me but cannot join the Life events, replays are available on the website platform. This program is accompanied with a Workbook to keep you accountable along with a private Facebook group where you can feel free to ask questions and build community.

Click the link below to grab your Early Bird Space:

https://www.lorrainebutterfield.com/menopause-mind-reset

Please note: Prices will rise on 8th July. So grab your space now and save £160.

Much love,

Lorraine xx