After four years of menopause writing, it is time to move in a new direction! This is my last official article as the Menopause site Editor for BellaOnline.com and what a journey it has been.

A very big thank you to every reader who has been dealing with menopause or anticipating its arrival. This part of life comes with many undesirable aspects: getting older, dealing with unpleasant symptoms, coming to terms with the past, wondering what the future holds, and still juggling all of those current daily tasks. Menopause is a time for realizing just how far we have come on our life journey and knowing that it is far from over.

For many of you, menopause has been downright miserable. Hopefully with a trusted healthcare provider you can find the solutions that best fit your needs, whether you prefer to go the traditional or alternative route. There is much information out there and through this column I hope to have provided a source for seeking out trusted experts to sort out fact from fiction. Arming ourselves with knowledge means we can take back some control over our menopause, our bodies, and our health, and while we cannot ever hope to have everything to our liking we can still know that menopause does not have to ruin our lives.

Regular readers will remember my underlying thesis of examining how past and current social value constructions have helped to undermine women during the aging process. In some ways these values have perpetuated myths that once youth is over, there is no life purpose; life is no longer something to celebrate. Menopause is as much a psychological manifestation as well as a physical one which requires finding a balance to help prevent menopause from becoming all-consuming in our lives. Moreover, I worked to uncover the differences and similarities women all over the world face during menopause.

Differences in cultural attitudes allow for more positive acceptance of menopause and aging is seen as a new time of wisdom and a reenergized growth. Yet women still deal with the same issues that can make menopause difficult. My goal was to learn from women around the world and help to raise awareness of menopause and women’s health in general to assist in bringing about greater equality in healthcare.

Finally this column resulted from a desire to understand menopause from a variety of angles and to help shift our own internal views of what this time in our lives means to us. I have learned much that will sustain my life journey through this phase and hopefully well beyond.

Now it is time to turn the reins of this column over to another writer who can bring their perspective about menopause and use this avenue to channel energy into a positive way to navigate through the menopausal phase. No journey is without its share of struggles and menopause puts every woman to the ultimate test of looking inward to decide what to pack on this trip. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Menopause is a time to look to the past but not for too long, to look to the future with a sense of hope, but mostly to live each day with the strength, courage, and wisdom that will carry you onward.

Thank you for your support and readership and remember to stay menopositive!