Oh Emma, I relate to this in multiple ways... although I am quietly obsessed with the weather. As an air traffic controller for 20 years, the weather defined my days. I had actually applied to be a weather forecaster for the BBC prior to air traffic control but didn't get through the screen test!!
As for the weather of womanhood... I listened to your talk with Kirsty, and it was simultaneously inspiring whilst making my heart ache. I also have fibro and a constellation of other symptoms, and I find your weather analogy so very apt. Some days are sunny and there is a fair wind. Some days there is hail, peppering my aching bones and skin with sharp pain and relentless intrusion. Some days it is a slow and constant rain, one that I can bear but not quite ignore, and then there are the days of the storms. Days like today, where the thunder clouds feel insurmountable, but I know, they too, will pass.
So so true. As someone dealing with constant low level discomfort which can build into excruciating pain I am completely inspired by you. Go! I’m on your team. And yes those wonderful moments or days when it recedes absolutely no longer takes up so much life… bliss, grabbed with both hands.
Oh thank you for writing this Emma. I am weathering the storm of parenting an anxious and angry teen. I was lying here contemplating how on earth to navigate the next few days while on holiday and this has helped. It seems the No of low fronts coming in right now is high
I love this analogy so much. It has been so humbling and inspiring on Substack to find other women experiencing chronic pain. It keeps me going. I have endometriosis which has worsened hugely in perimenopause and now awful pain which comes and goes. Fibro is beginning to enter the conversation. Some days I can't imagine living a life like this others I am okay. Still so much to accept and grieve and learn.
Such a great analogy. I heard your interview with Kirsty Young and it was so inspiring. It was on my mind as I walked the dog this morning, making me think how much I value my health and pain-free existence. I had endometriosis in my 20s and 30s and was absolutely crippled with it. I was told I would never have children naturally and was just about to start IVF when I discovered I was pregnant with my first son after several years of trying. My second son followed 17 months later despite having only one working ovary! They are now 19 and 21! I made the choice to have a Mirena coil after that second pregnancy and the endometriosis has never been a problem since.
I am currently weathering the storm of infertility and IVF. Today’s forecast has been thunderous and I am feeling at a big loss with it all so reading this really struck a chord (and thank you!). I feel as a woman a lot of what I say or experience is overlooked and ignored and I’m tired of having to keep battling through. Hoping for clearer skies and sunnier forecasts ahead 🤞🏼x
Right there with you Lizzie. Currently in a long and arduous ivf journey, and also v tired of battling through. Craving some me time away from the rollercoaster of it all, perhaps that’s my version of a sunny clear sky!
I have just read this article. Your own weather - I had never of it this way before. It makes perfect sense. I can go through ‘four seasons in one day’ - a bit of a struggle and another times just a couple. I love your articles. Currently reading them, sitting in the sofa in Salcombe at a friends house, with a nice cup of tea, listening to the church bells and the clock quietly ticking. Another noise.
As usual, Emma, you are so good at writing on our behalf! Well, legions of us! I listened to your interview with Kirsty Young... Such extraordinary pair to discuss pain and woman-weather! I felt such empathy and gratitude for the open admissions and confessions of crippling pain. G-d bless you and Kirsty for that!
Oh Emma, I relate to this in multiple ways... although I am quietly obsessed with the weather. As an air traffic controller for 20 years, the weather defined my days. I had actually applied to be a weather forecaster for the BBC prior to air traffic control but didn't get through the screen test!!
As for the weather of womanhood... I listened to your talk with Kirsty, and it was simultaneously inspiring whilst making my heart ache. I also have fibro and a constellation of other symptoms, and I find your weather analogy so very apt. Some days are sunny and there is a fair wind. Some days there is hail, peppering my aching bones and skin with sharp pain and relentless intrusion. Some days it is a slow and constant rain, one that I can bear but not quite ignore, and then there are the days of the storms. Days like today, where the thunder clouds feel insurmountable, but I know, they too, will pass.
Brilliant piece, thank you x
So so true. As someone dealing with constant low level discomfort which can build into excruciating pain I am completely inspired by you. Go! I’m on your team. And yes those wonderful moments or days when it recedes absolutely no longer takes up so much life… bliss, grabbed with both hands.
No relation BTW!
Oh thank you for writing this Emma. I am weathering the storm of parenting an anxious and angry teen. I was lying here contemplating how on earth to navigate the next few days while on holiday and this has helped. It seems the No of low fronts coming in right now is high
I love this analogy so much. It has been so humbling and inspiring on Substack to find other women experiencing chronic pain. It keeps me going. I have endometriosis which has worsened hugely in perimenopause and now awful pain which comes and goes. Fibro is beginning to enter the conversation. Some days I can't imagine living a life like this others I am okay. Still so much to accept and grieve and learn.
Such a great analogy. I heard your interview with Kirsty Young and it was so inspiring. It was on my mind as I walked the dog this morning, making me think how much I value my health and pain-free existence. I had endometriosis in my 20s and 30s and was absolutely crippled with it. I was told I would never have children naturally and was just about to start IVF when I discovered I was pregnant with my first son after several years of trying. My second son followed 17 months later despite having only one working ovary! They are now 19 and 21! I made the choice to have a Mirena coil after that second pregnancy and the endometriosis has never been a problem since.
I am currently weathering the storm of infertility and IVF. Today’s forecast has been thunderous and I am feeling at a big loss with it all so reading this really struck a chord (and thank you!). I feel as a woman a lot of what I say or experience is overlooked and ignored and I’m tired of having to keep battling through. Hoping for clearer skies and sunnier forecasts ahead 🤞🏼x
Right there with you Lizzie. Currently in a long and arduous ivf journey, and also v tired of battling through. Craving some me time away from the rollercoaster of it all, perhaps that’s my version of a sunny clear sky!
Sorry to hear this Emma! The idea of some time away sounds idyllic right now, I hope you manage it soon and best of luck with your journey x
I have just read this article. Your own weather - I had never of it this way before. It makes perfect sense. I can go through ‘four seasons in one day’ - a bit of a struggle and another times just a couple. I love your articles. Currently reading them, sitting in the sofa in Salcombe at a friends house, with a nice cup of tea, listening to the church bells and the clock quietly ticking. Another noise.
As usual, Emma, you are so good at writing on our behalf! Well, legions of us! I listened to your interview with Kirsty Young... Such extraordinary pair to discuss pain and woman-weather! I felt such empathy and gratitude for the open admissions and confessions of crippling pain. G-d bless you and Kirsty for that!