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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Doreen Baingana

I feel the strongest I’ve ever been. Menopause hasn’t slowed me down

‘I still have more growing to do and more books to write’ … Doreen Baingana.
‘I still have more growing to do and more books to write’ … Doreen Baingana. Photograph: Jérémy Baron

Deadlines have always been a great motivator, and now a major one is looming – death. This doesn’t feel tragic; a long deep sleep would be very nice. The question is, what do I have left to do while I am still here?

I can’t deny the obvious markers of time: my face is sagging, my added weight won’t budge, I am less flexible. The real problem with youth is that we take our lovely, supple physicality for granted. Menopause won’t let me; my body is relentlessly becoming something else. It’s a blessing, of course, not having to bleed every month, not having to worry about periods starting on a fun trip when I haven’t carried any pads.

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