Thread by @monaeltahawy

Just in time for Pandemic: Year Three, my hot flashes have returned with a vengeance.

When you’re a middle-aged feminist falling apart during a global pandemic, it can be useful to think of your perimenopause as a metaphor.

feministgiant.com/p/essay-fallin… #BloodyHell

It's like trying to drive a car with the hand brake on.

Releasing the hand brake--releasing any illusion of control--is the only way to go.

Releasing the hand brake in order to move, emerge, transform. #BloodyHell

Past 2yrs have taught me to do everything I can to NOT exacerbate my anxiety. When I was younger I saw therapists for depression. During a pandemic! Haha!

Perimenopause + pandemic = depression telling anxiety "She's all yours now, babe. Menopause Mona is all yours." #BloodyHell

And so I have learned to manage the time I spend on social media more.

I limit how much pandemic news I take in. Beyond what I can do--vaccinate, wear a mask, social distancing, etc--I steer myself away from what I can't control.

I try to move more and laugh more. #BloodyHell

When I was younger, I would've been mortified at saying any of that out loud, so publicly. I would've worried it made me look weak.

Now, I'm like "Who wants to fucking try me?" fueled by a shamelessness I aspired to when I was younger. #BloodyHell feministgiant.com/p/moisturize-y…

And that is why I am editing BloodyHell! And Other Stories: Adventures in Menopause from Across the Personal and Political Spectrum for @unbounders .

Help us publish this necessary anthology by pledging here unbound.com/books/bloody-h… #BloodyHell