Unleashing Your Authentic Self: Navigating Perimenopause with Compassion

Pause To Go Podcast: What You Need to Know About Menopause and Midlife Transitions

Unleashing Your Authentic Self: Navigating Perimenopause with Compassion - Jamie Virostko

In a world of hormonal peaks and valleys, Jamie Virostko shares her intimate journey through perimenopause, exposing the emotional rollercoaster of grief, sensuality, and self-discovery. But just when she thought she had found her footing, a series of life events left her questioning who she could trust. Find out how Jamie navigated these difficult situations and what it means for her journey through perimenopause.

Our guest is Jamie Virostko, an accomplished theater artist, actor, and writer. In this interview, she brings a fresh narrative to her life experiences, most notably, her journey through perimenopause amid massive changes in her personal life. Through it all, Jamie's been able to boost self-compassion and strength to navigate this transformative period, offering valuable insight to all women braving similar paths.

I wish I just had more information. It would have been good to understand what was really going on with my body so I could factor that into how I'm processing and dealing with things. - Jamie Virostko

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Gain insights into the triumphs and trials during the phases of perimenopause and menopause.

• Recognize the crucial need for fortified support and extended consciousness during one's perimenopausal journey.

• Probe into the intriguing link between impactful life events and hormone variations.

• Appreciate the significance of true friendships and sincere conversations in your life's journey.

• Navigate the changing territories of perimenopause with the compass of self-compassion guiding you.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Join the Pause To Go podcast group on Facebook for deeper and richer conversations about menopause and perimenopause issues. (www.facebook.com/groups/pausetogopodcast/)

• Share your story of making questionable decisions during perimenopause by sending an email, dropping a line, or leaving a message for the Pause To Go podcast. Your story could be featured in an upcoming episode.

  You can (anonymously) share your story in writing here:

  https://forms.gle/xiZ75geEbEwrrf2y7

  Or share an anonymous voice memo here:

  https://www.frfr.ai/awkwardsage55

• Check out Jamie Virostko's performances as a writer, actor, and theater artist. Bree describes her performances as a combination of rawness and precision that is absolutely electric.

• Stay connected with your girlfriends and have heartfelt conversations. Find friends or a group with whom you can have beautiful, raw, honest, and loving conversations.

• Be prepared and informed about perimenopause and its effects on your body and emotions. Knowing what you're going through can help you navigate the challenges and make better decisions.

• Take care of yourself during perimenopause by giving yourself space and grace to go through major life events. Understand that hormonal and physiological changes may be affecting the way you navigate life's happenstance.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction.
00:01:20 - Removing Shame from Perimenopause.
00:02:52 - The Power of Heart-to-Heart Conversations.
00:06:31 - Introduction to Jamie Virostko.
00:08:37 - Jamie's Adolescence and First Period.
00:12:20 - Jamie's Perimenopause Journey.
00:15:30 - Recovery and Transformation.
00:17:59 - The realization of hormonal peaks.
00:21:40 - Peaks and valleys of perimenopause.
00:26:44 - Finding strength and self-acceptance.
00:28:40 - Changes in sexual experiences.
00:32:20 - Intimacy and communication in relationships.
00:34:36 - The Importance of Authenticity and Support.
00:35:47 - Breaking Free from Heteronormative Roles.
00:39:12 - The Pitfalls of New Friendships.
00:41:56 - Regret and Loss.
00:45:03 - Rediscovering Dreams and Transformation.
00:48:54 - Believing in an Afterlife.
00:49:26 - Honoring a Friend's Memory.
00:50:15 - UVA Acts and Inclusive Practices.
00:51:50 - Partnering with Gen Z.
00:53:15 - Generational Differences and Boundaries.

Uncover the intricacies – Perimenopause is a complex period of considerable hormonal fluctuations that affect a woman's body, emotional state, and sexuality. During this episode, women are encouraged to embrace these challenges while uncovering the nuances such changes can bring about. Enhancing one's understanding of these intricacies not only eradicates misconceptions but fosters a better grasp of this transformative phase.

Did you love this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or send a quick voicemail to let Bree know what you think! And if you'd like to work with me to maximize your moments, find greater fulfillment in your career, and clear away societal expectations to make room for YOUR dreams, visit me at www.thelovelyunbecoming.com/work-with-me Stay curious, y'all! xo Bree

• https://pausetogopodcast.com

• https://www.youtube.com/pausetogopodcast

• https://www.twitter.com/awkwardsagepod

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/pausetogopodcast/

• https://www.linkedin.com/breeluck/

Did you like this episode? Try these next:

• https://www.podpage.com/pause-to-go-podcast/-love-and-relationships-in-midlife-with-kira-hower/

• https://www.podpage.com/pause-to-go-podcast/menopause-with-friends-menopausal-af-with-lisa-powers-tricomi/

• https://www.podpage.com/pause-to-go-podcast/what-fresh--is-this-perimenopause-menopause-other-indignities-and-you-with-author-heather-corinna/

About our guest:

Jamie Virostko is a writer, actor, and theater artist. For six years, she also worked for the local elections office managing the early and mail voting process. Jamie has lived in London, Chicago, and Los Angeles after growing up in the small town of Clinton, Indiana. Following acting school in England, she spent almost a decade as a Chicago storefront theater actor. In Los Angeles, her focus turned to writing and directing. She became a regular presence in the LA spoken word and storytelling scenes. Her original play, The Outskirts of Paradise, was produced at the Met Theater. She and her husband recently relocated from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Baltimore, Maryland.

You can follow her work at:

https://www.instagram.com/jamie.virostko/

https://www.facebook.com/jamie.virostko

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamievirostko/