Tillotama Shome Instagram – On the edge. This post is a jumble of things, both clear and shadowy. Peri menopause/Menopause. Why is something so ubiquitous as menopause, so stigmatized? Aah is it because it’s associated with ageing? Well too bad. Let’s talk about it!! Hot flashes, depression, palpitations, flash bleeding, nightmares, insomnia. Add to this mix, daily triggering news of women being violated. Men and women( who are lucky enough to breeze through their menopause) should know it, so jokes about hysterical women can be put to rest. Partners should know so they don’t take it personally and know how to support and be supported. Co workers/ Bosses understand that if you want to hire a woman with experience, you will have to take the time to understand these changes, make room for it in your scheduling and manage your expectations. Too much for too little? Where is the Josh guys? Doctors/Gynacs, please understand that women’s reproductive function is not their ONLY essential function. There is a rich life beyond our viability as mothers and we would like to be happy even when we can’t be mothers. I have hope, hope that enough men and women can normalise difficult conversations around women’s safety and women’s health and make India truly safe for women. I also hope that today i will be wiser, kinder and less angry:-) P s: @bloontoys the beeswax playdough is very therapeutic. P.s- ahead of the designated ‘women’s day’, but please consider nonetheless. I can’t think of hashtags to best represent half our population.