A Reblog: The Great Search to Maintain My Mental Health During Perimenopause

I am always grateful to Kathy, the host of Navigating the Change, for publishing my work. It reminds me that I am not alone in describing the various changes we may endure as we age. It reminds me that I still have a voice and others want to hear (read) it, too. Here is a snippet from the article, but to read it in its entirety and comment, please proceed to the actual published article on the site. Thank you in advance. Peace and blessings.

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with chronic adjustment disorder with intermittent anxiety and depression. And now I’m facing the ultimate test. My therapist has announced that she will be retiring.

Though my therapist and I have worked through strategies on how to live with this diagnosis, she did not prepare me for what I am supposed to do if she should announce her retirement during my fourth year of perimenopause.

My initial response was one of happiness; I was and am happy for her. I celebrated the reality of this new venture with her during our last session. I told her I was proud of her. A leap like this is monumental.

We chatted about it a bit before the end of our last session, and she communicated that she would help me to compile a list of recommendations.

But it is scary.Tremaine L. Loadholt, Navigating the Change

NaPoWriMo #16

longing

pacing the packed floors
of my crowded mind
I find voices that are
not my own
longing to be guided to
their own resting places

how did they get here
when will they leave

someone outside of my
body shouts
“YOU SHOULDN’T ASK QUESTIONS YOU DON’T
WANT THE ANSWERS TO!”

and I instantly sit back
in my ergonomics swivel
chair and shut up

flowing

Pictured Poetry created by Tremaine L. Loadholt

I’m dealing with my therapist’s retirement announcement in my own way. I’m happy. I’m sad. I’m so hopeful for her future. I wish her well, too.

But I am not looking forward to the search that is before me for a new one.

And so, I’m writing poetry about it. Of course, I am. Of course, I am.


Originally shared via Instagram.

Two Things Thursday #8

1. Doing Jewish: A Story From Ghana screenshot directly from my TV
2. A lovely card from a dear friend. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

1. Doing Jewish: A Story From Ghana, is a documentary about filmmaker, Gabrielle Zilkha making the trek to Ghana to learn more about Ghanaians practicing Judaism and learning, loving, living, and letting others know about their faith in Africa (specifically Ghana, Uganda, Zimbabwe, with a prominent focus on Africans in a small village called Sefwi Wiawso, Ghana).

I watched the documentary on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, early in the morning. I found it to be interesting and informative. In all honesty, I needed this particular movie at that particular time.

Here is a brief synopsis of it:

A tiny community in rural Ghana recently discovered that the religion they have been practicing for centuries is Judaism. Filmmaker Gabrielle Zilkha explores their story from isolation to global connection and the challenges and rewards they face along the way.

IMDB, 2016

2. A lovely card from a dear friend. This beautifully multi-colored card arrived in my mailbox on the same day. Again, I needed this. It seemed like things popped up or occurred on Tuesday when I was NOT feeling like myself at all, and I had spiraled into a complete downward unwelcome place.

The Lord knows when to send help. He knows when you need it most. And on Tuesday, I had to be pulled out from a dark place to which I had landed.

I am grateful for good movies, great friends, and momentary interactions with darkness . . . it reminds me just how important love and light is.