Down Days
Down days. You know what they are. We all have them. They are just a normal part of life.
It’s Monday night. Or maybe it’s Tuesday morning. I really don’t know. I quit looking at the clock a couple hours ago. You see, I am writing this blog post on yet another sleepless night. It’s hormone related. I’m pretty used to it by now. But being used to it, doesn’t make it any easier. It also doesn’t make it easier when it is accompanied with one of those Down Days. Yesterday (Monday) was one of those days. I don’t have Down Days very often. I like to think of myself as pretty upbeat and positive. But like clock-work, I have at least one Down Day, per month. It’s also a day where I have a headache, neck pain, extreme fatigue, stomach cramps with bloating, and believe it or not .. aching in my upper thighs. I know, very strange. It’s quite the doozy. I try to talk myself out of these symptoms and the down effect that accompany them, but I am yet to be able to snap out if it. During my Down Days, I just plug a long as best I can and continue to accomplish everything, for the most part, as I would have on a normal day … all the while, being down.
Before we get any further, I should mention; you won’t find any pictures or any links in this blog post. I’m actually not even on my computer, but rather sitting and typing this on my phone. Me and my aching thighs are planted in a big non-cozy chair surrounded by Mother’s Day Brunch decorations. The room is pitch black and the house is a soundless calm, except for once in awhile when the furnace kicks on. I am sitting next to a big tall window and can see the tops of the trees outside reaching up to the few stars that are out. I think it’s setting up to be a sunny day tomorrow (or today) … however you want to look at it.
Down Days are a real downer, aren’t they? Over the past several years, I have tried to make a real effort in finding ‘good’ in anything ‘bad’ that comes my way, including Down Days. After-all they are going to happen. Bad days are going to come, bad situations are going to happen, and frankly bad people are going to come across our path. The best thing that we can do is, continue to make good from it. Accept being down, but not let it get us down … if that makes sense. Realize it will be over, tomorrow will be better and continue to be kind as you continue to work through it. Choose to handle these unfortunate predicaments with dignity and poise. Take what’s bad and utilize it for something good, like learning lessons, or practice to be a better you.
These ‘Down Days’, generally come equipped with no energy to do anything above and beyond what is absolutely necessary. We can’t exactly take a day off because we’re down. Can you imagine how that would go over with your boss, children or kids? “Sorry, I can’t make it in today, because I’m down!” Nor can we call in sick because we didn’t sleep the night before. Our hormonal flare-ups aren’t worthy of a paid sick day … even though they take a toll on our physical & mental state, worse than most illnesses do.
What we can do on the ‘Down Days’ is accept them. Accept that they are normal. Accept that, although we may not feel it, we are normal too! There is nothing wrong with us! I am learning to take the bad in these ‘Down Days’ and make them into something good. Something to learn from. I pray more on these down days and especially on these sleepless nights. I pray that my girls never have to go through this. I pray they sail right through peri-menopause, like many women do. I reflect more during these incidents. A lot of times, hurtful things from my past … even as a child will come up, or hurtful things my kids or husband have said to me will surface. I don’t fight these painful things as much as I used to. In the past, I would fight my inner critic. But, I’ve realized that there is a reason these things surface during these down moments. I’m sure being a little delusional from the lack of sleep and the raging headache don’t help matters. But something good always comes from this bad. I am learning from these things that surface. Learning to continue growing and being better and stronger. To be more forgiving, not only of others, but myself included. To be more accepting and more resilient. Most of all to take what’s bad, and make it good.
Thanks for being here, and listening! Sometimes we just need a good friend to lean on. To say, “Yep, I get it!” It’s nice being re-assured that we are normal. That even us happy, upbeat people have our down days. On that note, something positive did come from my down day and my insomnia. I believe sharing is caring, and it’s also therapeutic. I am also now sleepy. To bed I head, and hopefully I won’t be a complete zombie tomorrow. But if I am, I will find something good out of the bad that was handed my way.
The next time you have a ‘Down Day’, remember that you are not alone. And whatever you do, don’t let it get you down.
Sweet Dreams Everyone! Or maybe, it’s more like Good Morning! xo
Amy Henson
05/03/2016Hugs, Love. You are in good company! Great attitude, beautiful sentiments. You can always vent to us followers, knowing we all understand and support you! XO
tracyhensel
05/03/2016Thank you Amy! It is nice to know that I am in good company, but on the other hand … I hate to see anybody go through this. The positive thing, tomorrow will be the start of my best week of the month. My most energetic, well-balanced, lightest .. if that makes sense. And believe me, I enjoy it! Because I know in a few more weeks, we are right back to this again.
Sonya Sylvester
12/18/2020I am so happy I found this blog post Tracy..perfect timing.You are so open and honest ..such a wonderful woman.Thankyou so much for sharing such a personal part of your life.
Teresa
05/03/2016I completely understand about those occasional down days. Sounds like you are wisely handling them. Just want to say I am on bio-identical hormones mainly because of the terrible insomnia and I sleep so well now! A future blog post might be nice if you consider exploring this subject for yourself. It really works wonders for your hair, skin, nails, sleep and sex life. Hope you are feeling better soon!
tracyhensel
05/03/2016Thank you Teresa! I am hoping in 12 days when I start my next round of Progesterone, the higher dosage will make a difference. As for the blog posts, there are a couple out there from the past. I believe they are in the ‘Word’s & Wine Down’ posts. If I am going to talk about hormones, you might as well add in a little humor to the mix! I will be back on track tomorrow … I know the routine! Thanks again! xx
Monica erre
05/03/2016Some days are not….a big hug Tracy 💕
tracyhensel
05/03/2016Thank you Monica! You are always above and beyond kind!!! xx
Gracie
05/03/2016Those days are the worst! Mint helps. Try peppermint oil rubbed on your temples, try mint tea, heck, just pop some peppermint Altoids. They seem to help me when I feel blue or nauseated. Has to be peppermint, not spearmint. Feel better soon. 😊🌺
tracyhensel
05/03/2016Thank you Gracie, for the tip. I am a user of essential oils and tea for herbal and therapeutic medicinals … but the the mints are new to me. Good to know and to pass along! I will be back on track tomorrow, I am sure of it! Thanks again! xx
Laurie
05/03/2016I totally understand what you are goi g through. Prayer is always the best, however, it is so hard somedays/nights. I also pray my daughters do t have this issue, unfortunately they’ve seen ”mean mommy” sometimes too😏
Thanks for the positives you inspire too during these times, love your outlook🤗
tracyhensel
05/03/2016Thank you Laurie. It amazes me how common this is. My doctor is in the same stage with similar symptoms and tells me each year, that there are much worse cases out there. Women that don’t get out of bed on their down days. I cannot imagine that. And yes, I pray for my daughters. I don’t feel it affects me so much in how I am with others. I tend to get more withdrawn and just tired, exhausted. I don’t even have energy to deal with anybody. But that’s not good either. I also keep a real open dialogue with my family members so they know that all is ok. I am just having my hormonal ‘Down Day”. I wish you the best as you travel through this. It’s important that women know they have one another to remind one another … we are all okay. Thanks again! xx
Denise
05/03/2016Thanks for sharing Tracy. You have a great outlook! This hormone thing is so frustrating. Trial and error…
tracyhensel
05/03/2016You’ve got that right, Denise! Thank you, I appreciate it!! xx
Tiffany Palmer-Jones
05/03/2016It’s so hard to imagine you having “Down Days”, but glad to know that we all aren’t that different after all! You have such a refreshing outlook and I love it!
tracyhensel
05/03/2016Oh Tiffany, I have them. Again, I am not a downer-type. But, when this day or sometimes it’s two consecutive days come along … I am overtaken by, I swear another source. That’s exactly what I tell my doctor, every year. It’s like, this is not me. And she tells me the same thing every year … “That is what everyone that comes to see me says!” It just shows you how that is what the norm is, and to believe there are ladies that deal with this much more than a couple days. It’s really frustrating. But yes, you have to push through. Telling yourself this will pass is very helpful on keeping a positive outlook! Thanks again! xx
Lucy Ladley - Luscious Fibers
05/03/2016Yes, been there, done that….As you know, I am 61, so the major hormone fluctuation is a part of my past. Naturally, I found it a great time to pray. But, you made me realize I did “dig up my past hurts & score cards” many of those sleepless nights. Those crappy thoughts were way more detrimental than the simple lack of sleep. We are precious children of God & are wonderfully made. My challenge when I have those not so frequent sleepless nights now, is to catch myself when the thoughts in my head are negative & realize that I am precious in HIS sight – we all are! Tracy, this Forum that you have provided is a blessing to so many!
tracyhensel
05/03/2016I can imagine, Lucy. And you are so right. We are right by God! No question! It is funny the thoughts that we have when we are tired or sleepless. I think about, as a child we would go to a friends house, be fine all day, then at bedtime start missing and worrying about our parents. Once you’re are a parent, you worry more about your kids in the evening when you are tired or if you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night. I believe its when worry and doubt surface. There is something to say about training the mind, the inner critic, the negative voices. Thanks for your lovely comment. I am happy to hear that your hormone issues are in the past. I think there will be a great sense of freedom when that time comes. Spending time with the lord, in the quiet dark helps me. It’s as if I am making up for lost time. God Bless! xx
Kim Pintar
05/03/2016Tracy ~ you inspire me every day….by sharing healthy eating, exercise, family, faith and even your “down days”. Thank you so much!! It seems like it is always what I need to hear. I am so grateful 🙂 here’s hoping we all get a restful night of sleep!!
Kim
tracyhensel
05/07/2016Thank you Kim! Your comment is so sweet. I am happy to hear you are so inspired by me. Have a fantastic weekend, and Happy Mother’s Day!!! xx
Keri
05/04/2016Tracy, thank you for sharing this and being so honest and open. It helps us all remember, we’re human, these days are normal. We can be up one day and next day down. At a recent visit for my annual trying to explain how I was feeling and symptoms I know I had to sound like a crazy woman lol you’re always my inspiration and I love your positive attitude.
tracyhensel
05/07/2016Thanks Keri! Yes, you are so right … these days are ‘normal’. It’s tragic how so many women get down on themselves, like there is something wrong with THEM! Or feel ashamed, guilty. It’s perfectly natural. It’s no fun, for sure. But I think when we throw out the self-hatred and recognize that this may just be ‘one of those days’ … it’s easier to move along and do what needs to be done, regardless of how we feel.
According to my doctor, this is pretty much all she hears. It probably helps that she specializes in this. But she has shared with me, I am not a bad case. There is much worse out there. Some days, I can’t imagine that. But my heart goes out to anybody struggling with the ups & downs of peri-menopause.
Have a great Mother’s Day weekend! See you next week!!! xx
Shelly
09/10/2017This post really helped. I am 10 years into menopause and hormones have always been an issue for me. Generally I am fine but every 4 months I get very emotional and weepy and everything is wrong with my world. My husband doesn’t understand it and he says that when I “get in this zone” I am impossible to deal with but that just makes me feel worse. I’m sure I’m not the only woman going through this so I just have to wait a couple of days for it to pass and it always does! I guess gratitude is the key but when I am in the midst of an episode it’s tough. XO
tracyhensel
09/11/2017Hi Shelly! I am glad to hear that this post was helpful. I am just over ten years in, myself! I understand the ups and downs. Have you read my blog post titled … How about those Hormones??? You would probably enjoy it!! lol Good humor, too!! Yes, the words can hurt when you cannot help how you feel!! Everything that you shared, I can resonate with! hang in there! Read that blog post!!
Cherie Henderson
09/10/2017Wow. I was having a down day today and saw your latest post on YouTube that brought me here. It didn’t occur to me that it was hormone related. I’m 50 and have started having those symptoms. However I had gone through a traumatic experience in my life about a year and a half ago so I thought it was mostly related to that. I’m doing better and healing but still having those symptoms. Thought it was only spiritual warfare but I think now that we are attacked in our weakest places. Thanks for the encouragement. I can give myself a little bit of a break.
Cherie
tracyhensel
09/11/2017Hi Cherie! If that isn’t great timing!! I am sorry about your traumatic experience. I am sure that is a huge contribution .. but yes those nasty Hormones, can creep up and wreak havoc. I have a blog post titled, How About Those Hormones. It’s worth the read and humor. Yes, cut yourself some slack. The best thing is accepting it and powering through!! Thank you for sharing and wishing you ‘Up Days’!!!
Mayeli
10/05/2017Wow Tracy I really loved this post. I don’t know if you read my comment on your Instagram, but are the first youtuber / blogger that I follow.
I particularly like the introspective side, the honesty and love in this post. The way you have learned to manage the situation and how you turn it into something positive.
I can realate so good to those down days even though I am not exactly into menopause yet. I can remember myself in many nights like the one u describe and I thank you for sharing it.
You are a super beautiful and smart lady with lots to offer and that is why you have ao many followers and the number keeps growing (I am an example!). Now thanks to you I am active in all social media more than before 🙂
Thank you and wish you tons of happy days and relaxing and restful nights!
tracyhensel
10/09/2017Thank you Mayeli!! I love that I am the first Youtuber that you have followed! Bless you and thank you for sending such a nice, warm message!!
Cathey L Ashburn
12/09/2019Tracy I have been experiencing a lot of “down days”. I hate them! I feel unworthy if love, friendships, everything. I allow my past life which was turbulent at times, to creep back in and remind me of how bad my marriage was, the family strife and past friendships. Yesterday is gone and should be left alone, somehow it comes back into mind. Thank you for this blog. I have saved it to revisit when I am having a down day. Love you
Rebekah Powers
03/25/2022I been suffering from insomnia for about 14 years due to sexual assaults and it’s hard.I miss the old me when I could sleep and get 8 and 9 hours of quality sleep a night and be so productive and healthy.I hope you get through this menopause soon and be back to you’re normal self again.I’m love everything you share❤️.