My dad just told me it wasn't normal for a 48 year old woman to have a period.

What?

Why? 

How does he know anything about this?

He doesn't.

He doesn't know how uncomfortable I feel.  Or I how I figure out how to adapt to this annoyance.  

I wish, men understood how challenging bleeding out is.  It sucks.  

You feel bloated, uncomfortable, heavy.  Let's be honest.  That is what happens.  You choose fat pants or an outfit that feels comfortable.  Every month.  Maybe, every few weeks as menopause enters your orbit.  

Then you have someone that doesn't have to encounter this on any level, tell you how you should feel.  PLEASE, FUCK OFF.

Every woman should be voting for her individual interest.  No one else is doing this for you.  Not your father.  Not your brother.  Not your husband.  In 1974, women were able to apply for their own credit cards.  Why is this even a thing?  Why would we think a man knows our best interest?  I have paid for vehicles, college, rent.  Never once, have I asked my dad to take care of me.  And guess what?  He never has offered to help me out!  He doesn't want to.  He cannot tell me how to live my life.

Vote for your interests.  For your fellow citizen, daughter, niece, friend.  Do not think anyone else is out her advocating for female rights.  Do not think this okay to not understand menopause or perimeneopause.  It sucks. 

But it where I am at currently.  Navigating this new world.  Bleeding out, feeling heavy, trying to feel good about myself.  

It feels like a luxury to be a man.  

let's do more

Let's get better.  Do better.  Every day.

I refuse to become complacent.  I look at myself and am shocked at how I have become comfortable.  Comfortable with how I look, how I feel, how I am.  Gross.

I turned a year older and have options.  I can continue on the complacent path or challenge myself to do more.  

I want to do more.  

That is my intention.  I am tired of being uninspired and unmotivated.

Class tonight

Join me, Denver!  The ultimate alternative happy hour.  I offer this class every month at the Jazzercise Studio in Skyland.  The studio space is welcoming.  I love this studio!  Clearly, Traci and her staff have created a lovely community of people.  I feel fortunate to be part of it.

Consider sixty minutes of yoga.  It is a mixed level class.  I offer modifications to make the session good for you.  The music is always a mash up of what I am currently listening to on my spotify.  Sometimes, 90's hip hop, Prince, JT or Chappel Roan (a current favorite).

Afterwards we nosh.  Monthly, I change up the menu which keeps me learning and honing that craft.  In addition, we connect with each other and build community.  I never know who will attend or what topics will come up.  Sometimes, health.  Sometimes, travel.  Sometimes, conflict.  But always with an open mind.  I am so thankful for the tribe I am part of.

Join me tonight!  Email me if you have questions--tastelifeyoga@gmail.com.  Check out my Detox to Retox Yoga class.

Keep Going

 I watched part of the DNC tonight.  First speech, HRC.  

Then, Jasmine Crockett.  Watched Raphael Warnock, Andy Brashear, and AOC.  Then rewatched HRC.  I loved Jasmine Crockett.  She is a fire brand.  Knows how to ignite the other side with facts and can back it up.  AOC also speaks to people and makes sense.  She is inspiring people to vote for this ticket.

They spoke of how powerful Warnock was....he was.  However, I wasn't that inspired personally.  I rewatched HRC and was blown away.  The idea that women couldn't vote 104 years ago.  That we are crushing the glass ceiling.  That we will make a difference.  It is time.

Get off of your ass and tune in.  If you want to support project 2025, tell me why.  How does it benefit you?  

If you are a woman, specifically.  Please explain why this is the vote you choose.  The limiting voice.  Minimizing.  Putting you back in the kitchen or in the fields (understand my reference to the Handmaid's Tale).  

Please remind me of how we benefit when we are unable to read, speak, voice our opinions.  Where we are similar to cattle.  Why are you considering this path?

I have worked for every dollar I have earned.  My parents sheltered me, fed me and clothed me until I was thirteen.  At which point, I was told that I would be responsible for additional clothing, vehicles, college. 

I do not blame my parents for these actions.  They were catholic.  No birth control allowed.

I only point this out to say that I have earned my money as a female.  Knowing that the proponents of Project 2025 would give my dad my earnings to handle my finances since clearly, I am unable to (in their opinion.  Women are mouthy).  And I am unmarried (what sin).  

However, it is okay when men choose to divorce their wives that are unfit.  Or women have chosen to leave unhappy unions.  

I choose my own happiness.

Think about what makes you inspired.  If you have a daughter, think about her rights that are being taken away.  Think about the goodness of making choices that reflect what makes sense to you.  Do not remain silent.

I observe people.  I see relationships of older folks *at times, specifically**

Where the man dictates the decisions.  His wife is mute.  Looks miserable. 

She reminds me how thankful I am that I can be MOUTHY AF.  Keep Going.  I am Rosie the Riveter

Detox

We all have choices of how we want to live our lives.  Surviving or thriving.  I vacillate between the two.  Currently, surviving with hopes of thriving and succeeding on my own path.  

Breaking up with what is known and making a meaningful path.  It is frustrating.  I am frustrated.  I know that I am right, but the ups and downs associated with the uncertainty is challenging.  Having a steady paycheck feels normal.  And customary.  

Challenging that stereotype and truth is hard.  Yet, I am determined to that as I have since 2020.  I have been creating space in my life.  Time to focus on that passion.  And having the security blanket of the service industry at hand.  Always relying on familiarity and comfort.  

Navigating this path is challenging.  I am overwhelmed with positivism and doubt.  I wake up, knowledgeable and comfortable.  I wake up to nightmares of doubt, fear, guilt.  Sounds incredible, right?  Then, add into the mix, health issues and apartment things.  Also known as things out of my control.  Mostly the apartment stuff.  I do not have confirmed dates as to when they want to begin work or how long it will entail.  I am confused by my part in this.  The leak originated in the ceiling.  I commented on it, years ago, to no avail.  Now, work will be done but it is unclear when it will start.  It is confusing and conflicting.

Time to release it to the universe and see what occurs.  Prosperity and abundance.  Or fear and doubt.  I feel aligned with the uncertainty of where this road leads to abundance.  I release having to know how.  I know that it will. In all of my history, I have always had enough resources, assistance and health.  

I agreed to decrease my wine intake in solidarity with Tom.  He is aligning with his health and purpose.  He must detox his life and be open to adjusting his health.  More breathwork.  More activity and health.  I am here to help and support.  I want him to succeed on this new path.  

Comfortable

Your mouth was so dirty....

Our love was comfortable.  and, so broken in.....she's perfect.  So flawless.  Or so they sayyyyyyyy...what a song.  I know there are people who do not like John Mayer.  I have always been a fan girl.  Even during his ridiculous, asshole rants.

And this song, is the best.  

I love music.  I do.  But, seeing people in person is a challenge.  The parking.  Crowds.  Dealing with maneuvering the experience.  yet, after seeing the Foo Fighters, I would totally see John Mayer.  I love his music. I would make it work.  Whatever it took.  

I am jamming out to his music currently.

Holding out for a home life.  Sitting in traffic on a highway.  I refuse to believe that my life is going to be....We said eternity.  I will go to my grave with the love that I gave....

Happy to be healthy and able to make choices that benefit me.  I listen to podcasts and try not to default into the crazy.  It isn't easy.  I am unwilling to willingly walk into the Handmaid's Tale that republicans are proposing.  And they are.  The extremism of project 2025 is that.  The Handmaid's Tale.  The openingly disgusting ode to the nationalist right.

It is that disgusting and disturbing.  You are willingly giving your votes away,  Know this.  

Midweek class

Tomorrow night, I am offering a yoga class at City Park.  6:30 pm.  Meet for sixty minutes of yoga and an opportunity to network afterwards.  Check out a session if you are in Denver.

Make the most of your day.  I encourage movement, breathwork and connection.  Yoga enables all three.  I am more of an a.m. exercise person.  But I do love the happy hour classes.  The sun is winding down and the energy at the park is off the chart.  Typically, there are people walking, people playing volleyball or kickball and enjoying being outside.  The last few weeks in Denver have been HOT!  To the point where I prefer hibernating indoors from 10:30-5 pm.  I do not want to be outside under the intense sun.  After five it starts to cool down and enable a return to nature.

Join me for a class this week!