Welcome to the sixth midlife must-haves post in this series on the blog.
If you don’t know what this series is about, read my first midlife must-haves post over here. It explains things in more detail and you can see also what I can’t live without at the moment.
Today I’m welcoming Lisl who will be sharing six of her must-haves with us. Welcome, Lisl! Lisl and I were at school together from the age of 12 so it’s wonderful to have her on my blog today.
Hello! I’m Lisl, 54, happily married to Theo for 35 years and we have 2 children – Abi, 24, and Richard, 23. We also have 4 beautiful rescue dogs who are part of our pack. I am through the worst of my menopausal journey (I hope!). We settled in Somerset West (Cape Town, South Africa) 7 years ago after coming full circle and living in other interesting spots in S.A. I can’t tell you how much I’ve evolved since leaving in 1993 and I wouldn’t change a thing for the world! It’s certainly been an exciting ride and I don’t believe in having any regrets.
On my return to Somerset West at the age of 48, I immediately enrolled on the birth doula training program at Vergelegen hospital with WOMBS and now I am their Vice-Chairlady. After completing my fulfilling homeschooling journey with my own children, I felt it was my calling. This has given me such deep respect and honour for women and what our bodies do every single moment of their lives, menopause included. Welcoming babies and watching their parents step into their new roles has given me such a zest for life – it is my role to teach them to trust their own intuition and not just do things because society says so!
Here are a few of my midlife must-haves for a happy midlife
1. A great space of rest to call your very own
I intentionally seek a place to be completely quiet (as opposed to silent) and alone after the intensity of a birth. My bedroom is filled with candles; my trusty HEOS speaker next to my bed playing jazz; plump, comfy cushions, inviting, cool bed linen; a bookshelf brimming with my favourite books; warm glowing lamps and an aromatherapy burner project with my favourite scent of the moment.
The reason I do this is to fill and replace what I give out because I can’t give wholeheartedly when I feel overwhelmed, exhausted and empty. Society seems to glorify “busy” way too much and women need to come “home” to themselves.
I also have “green baths”. Places to rest my eyes in nature to fill my soul.
2. Tea
My brew is Joko and lots of it. From a yellow pot, thank you very much.
It cures all, celebrates everything, and is appropriate any time, anywhere.
3. Oils, creams, lotions, balms and serums
Midlife and thirsty skin has made me run for any and all. I’m not brand loyal. Just gimme more. My daughter and I even churn out natural pots in my kitchen…music blaring, laughter and tea. We tweak our recipes according to the weather and how thirsty our skin is. I love Baobab oil right now.
4. Perfume
A couple of beautiful bottles to choose from are my way of figuring out how I’m doing right now in the present. I’ll spritz some on to lift my emotions, another to celebrate my happy space, and another to cool me off on a sizzling day.
Again, I’m not brand loyal here, just open to celebrating the various and wonderful perfumers’ creations out there.
5. Fans, air conditioning
This is self-explanatory. Suffice it to say, I have a fan everywhere I can put one in summer. Otherwise, I use an old-fashioned hand-held one when I’m on the run. (I use one with my clients too!)
It really is a must-have in my midlife kit. Because I can’t imagine getting through a day without them.
I have inherently been gifted dark blue circles around my eyes (thanks Dad! ) and with the all-nighters, I sometimes have to pull, these two products work wonders to erase them.
Lastly
It’s been such fun to share part of my world with you.
Here are my final words in a favourite quote:
“True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake. It’s making the choice to build a life you don’t need to escape from.” Brianna Weist
Thank you, Lisl!
I love this quote. And thank you so much for sharing your midlife must-haves with us today. I’ve loved getting to know you a little better by reading this snippet of your life nowadays.
Related: My midlife must-haves – Linda
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