As I blubbered into another box of tissues (in the middle of an otherwise productive workday),
I thanked the menopause gods I was working from home.

And before you jump to conclusions, I was working. No, I wasn’t weeping over an episode of Virgin River, or even one of those cringe-worthy daytime dramas (although, let’s be honest, the acting alone could trigger tears). 

Boss, if you’re reading this, I swear I wasn’t watching Virgin River. And if I was, it was purely
for research purposes… on emotions…)

So, what brought on the midday case of uncontrollable waterworks?

#hormones 😭

Just yesterday, I felt amazing. I was basically superwoman.

Tight work deadlines? No problem!
Teenager drama and their impossible maths homework? Easy!

Patting my head while rubbing my belly and standing on one foot? Nailed it!

And then came the night. Ah, the sweet torture of peri/menopausal sleep –  the kind where it feels like sleeping in an unairconditioned room in Bangkok, in peak summer, slowly drowning in sweat.

Fast forward to today ▶ cue emotional meltdown.

Remember Alice in Wonderland when she cried a river?

That was me! Which is kind of ironic because I was pretty sure last night’s sweatfast had dried me out.

So, what the heck is going on?

Sure, there’s been a few bumps in the road lately – some at work, some at home, and, oh yes, the love life is getting complicated (does he like me? Does he not? Where’s this going? Is it too soon? Do I look fat?).

But nothing I can’t handle.

If you’re just as mystified by peri/menopausal symptoms, join the club.

Oh, wait, you’re already in it!

This is why Women’s Health Week exists.

From 2 - 6 September, Jean Hailes is thrusting women’s health into the spotlight with the theme, “Your voice. Your choice.” Every day, they'll roll out fresh resources, checklists, stories, podcasts and more.

But the coolest thing? Jean Hailes is inviting women to send in their most burning menopause questions, which will be answered by the world’s leading experts at the World Congress on Menopause in Melbourne next month.

These ‘Ask a menopause expert’ sessions will be recorded and shared on Jean Hailes' social media channels for World Menopause Month throughout October. That’s some top-tier advice – for FREE!

Any guesses on what my question will be? Hint: it starts with “th” and ends with “rush.” Or maybe I should go with “Midday waterworks, what’s up with that?” 

Oh, and speaking of epic events, I’m hosting a workshop at Victoria Police on September 5th for their Women’s Health Forum. I offer these year-round, so if you’re thinking, “We need this!” you can book me through my brand-spankin’ new website. 

New website???

Yep, it’s live.

There’s no one-stop shop for menopause advice (trust me, I’ve looked) so, I’ve created a hub to help you navigate the menopause maze — whether you‘re cruising through or caught off guard (like me).

I’ve packed the Resources page with fact sheets, a free 3-Step Menopause Guide, a few of my fave things, and loads more—including the best spots for credible, evidence-based content. 

There’s also a whole section on how to work with me, and if you’re new to The Fan Club, you can now access every past issue I’ve ever created. Because really, can you ever have too much Grace Zielinski? 😉

I don’t claim to have all the answers (wouldn’t that be nice?), but if I can make your experience a bit smoother, that’s a win in my book. I’d love for you to check out the site and let me know what you think! It’s always evolving, so if there’s something you’d like to see, hit reply and tell me.

Until next month

Get Your Menopause Answers During Women's Health Week

Over 5 days, Jean Hailes is spotlighting women’s health, from skin, bowel and breast checks to tips for discussing menopause, hormones, or PCOS with your doctor. They’re tackling taboos around bladder leakage, painful sex, and STIs, exploring how heart attacks and migraines affect women differently, and diving into gut health, nutrition basics, and healthy food relationships. Don’t miss out!

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