I am pretty sure the only man who ever reads my blog is my Dad, (Well, my Rock n' Roll Buddy pops over now and then too, but I think he just checks out the photos and surmises what the post must surely be about and moves on...) so the rest of you can ignore this first paragraph...Dad, feel free to skip reading this post. It doesn't have any home projects or thrilling escapades, nor does it have any Great-Grand-baby photos. It's about menopause.
There.
So let's have a little girl-to-girl talk, shall we?
When I was in my 20s, 30s and even early 40s, I pretty much thought about menopause in the third person, like it happened to other women. You know, women living in Sun City, Arizona or someplace like that....very much like the way I always think of "old people" as people much older than me, no matter how old I am.
Anyway, the point I am making here is until we hit the age of peri-menopause, and menopause, most of us don't think about it. There aren't any classes or lessons to prepare us for it fully.
Most of us learned about the birds and the bees at home from a parent or from a class at school. But when it comes to the next phase of life, the phase that follows the love and marriage and the baby carriage...for generations, when the stage following the child-bearing years arrives, women have simply been winging it, sharing stories and hopeful treatments as ways to adapt and cope with this next fun phase of being a girl
You hear about "hot flashes" and "possible dryness", and I myself have experienced the occasional stubborn "stray eyebrow" that wants to show up near my chin. (And this part in particular couldn't come at a worse time...right as your eyesight begins to fail.)
Well, we can now get more information on what that next stage is like, and I for one am now wondering why someone didn't think of it sooner.
There's a new website called The 2nd Talk from the people at Poise, with what they are appropriately calling the "Second Talk". The site helps educate women as they enter the next stage of life, along with introducing some pretty helpful products that coming out right now.
Products like...
Roll-On Cooling Gel -- It helps you feel comfortable and refreshed when a hot flash strikes. All you do is squeeze the tube and gently roll the cooling gel on wrists, chest, or neck for a cooling sensation that lasts up to 10 minutes.
The Body Cooling Towelettes offer instant cooling and refreshment when you experience a hot flash. Gently wipe the towelette on wrists, chest, or neck to feel cool and comfortable. (Featuring a portable, re-sealable package, these towelettes are easy to use anywhere you go!)
All of the products are created to make a girl feel a whole lot cooler and prettier and in control of her changing body.
Just like with the first talk we learned from, this will make our changing lives (and bodies) much easier to understand and gives us better tools to navigate through the new stage of life.
Interested in the Second Talk? Visit The2ndtalk.com and take the pledge to have the talk by October 18th. Poise is working to have one million women talking about it by then!
Poise and BlogHer are teaming up to offer one wonderful reader a $250 Visa gift card! To be entered for a chance to win, just tell me: What makes YOU feel confident?
Rules
No purchase necessary to enter or win.
Only unique Entries will be counted; duplicates will not be considered as an additional entry.
You may receive entries on this post by selecting from the following entry methods starting on July 26, 2012 at 9 a.m. PT and ending on August 24, 2012 at 5 p.m. PT:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion, including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: ì#sweepstakesentryî; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
d) To enter without posting comments, see official rules.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail and will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Void where prohibited.
Be sure to visit Poise's brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers' reviews and find more chances to win!
How many times have I said to a loved one, "Why didn't you tell me that I had a chin- whisker long enough to be wrapped around my neck as a scarf?!!!" I still wouldn't change being a girl for anything. B.
Posted by: Barbara Stevens | July 26, 2012 at 05:15 PM
a little lip gloss and alot of knowledge makes me feel confident. :)
i never thought menopause was going to happen to me either, but here it is. the hot flashes, the chin whiska' and the irritabilty at times. i am so grateful that you posted about the gel and towelettes. i am definitely going to find them! you just became my life saver. :)
Posted by: kimberly | July 26, 2012 at 08:08 PM
Love your blog Tracy! I love wearing perfume to help me feel confident! ~~Pam
Posted by: Pamela S. Wade | July 26, 2012 at 08:20 PM
Wearing a cute little outfit always makes me feel good-
Knowing I have a Heavenly Father who loves and thinks I am fantastic and precious is the best confidence builder ever!
Posted by: mary | July 26, 2012 at 08:58 PM
I feel most confident after exercising with weights.
Posted by: Mami2jcn | July 27, 2012 at 06:56 AM
tweet--https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/228852743970910208
Posted by: Mami2jcn | July 27, 2012 at 07:02 AM
Ifeel more confident when I do work out and I am eating healthy.
Posted by: Rosa | July 27, 2012 at 07:31 AM
I feel confident when I'm asked a question at work and I actually know the answer. And then I realize...I'm GOOD at what I do!
Posted by: Amy @ A Little Nosh | July 27, 2012 at 08:21 AM
just being me :)
Posted by: Stephanie | July 27, 2012 at 10:39 AM
tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/228907239057027072 :)
Posted by: Stephanie | July 27, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Getting my hair done makes me feel confident.
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
Posted by: Amanda Sakovitz | July 27, 2012 at 12:37 PM
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/228937393498099712
Posted by: Amanda Sakovitz | July 27, 2012 at 12:38 PM
when I feel healthy and well-rested I feel more confident
Posted by: Elena | July 27, 2012 at 01:51 PM
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/228956001221636096
Posted by: Elena | July 27, 2012 at 01:53 PM
when I get a haircut and feel refreshed.
Posted by: Linh C | July 28, 2012 at 12:36 AM
when I look my best.
Posted by: Linh C | July 28, 2012 at 12:38 AM
i feel confident when i leave church or when i go on a hike
Posted by: courtney b | July 28, 2012 at 07:06 AM
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/229215980650364928
Posted by: courtney b | July 28, 2012 at 07:06 AM
i feel the best when I am mentally in a good place
Posted by: amy pugmire | July 28, 2012 at 07:08 AM
tweeted
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/229216869721182208
Posted by: amy pugmire | July 28, 2012 at 07:09 AM
having a good hair day makes me feel more confident, thismomwins@gmail.com
Posted by: Tiffany Winner | July 28, 2012 at 11:38 AM
tweet https://twitter.com/thismomwins/status/229284116787499009
thismomwins@gmail.com
Posted by: Tiffany Winner | July 28, 2012 at 11:39 AM
when i'm wearing something i like!
Posted by: steph | July 28, 2012 at 01:00 PM
https://twitter.com/DesMoinesDealin/status/229305112521232384
Posted by: steph | July 28, 2012 at 01:00 PM
I don't know if I should be so bold and put this down, but you wanted unique. So here goes.
I had gone to the Dr. for my yearly exam (mind you I am nearly 58). She mentioned that I was extremely dry.........and I of course said isn't that normal. Why no she told me. There is a cream that you can use to give yourself some more "elasticity" Oh, I was thrilled to find that out. Been using it ever since and well lets just say the romance is back!
Posted by: Brandon | July 28, 2012 at 04:40 PM
When I am eating healthy, drinking water and working out daily I feel confident. Not only does it help how I look it helps how I feel about myself. Thanks for sharing this info, there's physical and emotional changes that happen in this season of life and us girls need all the help me can get.
Jeni
Posted by: Jeni | July 28, 2012 at 04:55 PM
As a hot southern woman, mascara and earrings,
Posted by: Pat Peele | July 29, 2012 at 08:15 AM
i feel most confident when i am wearing nice clothes and have my hair and makeup fixed nicely
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
Posted by: ms-texas | July 29, 2012 at 04:22 PM
i tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/229729070194229248
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
Posted by: ms-texas | July 29, 2012 at 05:04 PM
Wearing nice clothes, makeup, nice jewelry and having my hair done nicely makes me feel confident.
kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
Posted by: Travelcities | July 29, 2012 at 05:56 PM
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydinpa/status/229742618177851392
kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
Posted by: Travelcities | July 29, 2012 at 05:58 PM
I feel most confident when I do what I love, which is to cook for my family.
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
Posted by: UTry_it | July 30, 2012 at 10:52 PM
tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/230179266871042048
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
Posted by: UTry_it | July 30, 2012 at 10:53 PM
I feel most confident when I feel fit, am dressed well and appropriate.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com.
Posted by: Tcarolinep.blogspot.com | August 01, 2012 at 12:16 AM
https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/230562429724139521
Posted by: Tcarolinep.blogspot.com | August 01, 2012 at 12:17 AM
Some of your description made me laugh; so true. I remember wishing I had more info about this time of life beforehand b/c it definately is "the change" of life. What makes me confident is knowing what it is all about and quite frankly relying on God.
Posted by: Judy B. | August 02, 2012 at 11:39 AM
tweet
https://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/231097123502972929
Posted by: Judy B. | August 02, 2012 at 11:41 AM
I feel confident when hubby says I love you - you look great!
elliebunny at hotmail dot com
Posted by: Elliebunny24 | August 04, 2012 at 02:46 PM
https://twitter.com/elliebunny24/status/231869192268300288
elliebunny at hotmail dot com
Posted by: Elliebunny24 | August 04, 2012 at 02:50 PM
Working out makes me feel confident. I might look ridiculous trying to keep up with everyone, but it makes me feel great!
Posted by: Heather Hampton | August 04, 2012 at 05:30 PM
Nothing like getting a raise. Or just getting my job done everyday.
songyueyu at gmail
Posted by: Syytta | August 05, 2012 at 03:00 PM
tweet: https://twitter.com/syytta/status/232234772561289216
songyueyu at gmail
Posted by: Syytta | August 05, 2012 at 03:01 PM
LOOKING & FEELING MY BEST MAKES ME FEEL MOST CONFIDENT! =)
THANKS FOR THE CHANCE! kytah00@yahoo.com
Posted by: Angel Jacklyn | August 06, 2012 at 09:20 AM
2ND ENTRY TWEET https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/232511091702374401
Posted by: Angel Jacklyn | August 06, 2012 at 09:21 AM
When I have my makeup on
merleandtina@yahoo.com
Posted by: HappyTina0115 | August 06, 2012 at 02:00 PM
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/232581939129905152
merleandtina@yahoo.com
Posted by: HappyTina0115 | August 06, 2012 at 02:00 PM
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/232953219876261889
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
Posted by: D | August 07, 2012 at 02:36 PM
I feel most confident when I'm wearing an outfit I know is flattering on me and have had time to straighten my hair and put on a little make-up. Only takes about 10 minutes, but the difference it makes in how I feel is worth 10 times as much!
lifeblessons -at- gmail dot com
Posted by: Lifeblessons | August 11, 2012 at 12:18 PM
I feel confident when I wear my scarf.
tianayubi at gmail dot com
Posted by: Tian Ayubi | August 14, 2012 at 02:58 PM
Tweet:
https://twitter.com/mrsayubi/status/235495744507899906
tianayubi at gmail dot com
Posted by: Tian Ayubi | August 14, 2012 at 02:59 PM