Breaking news about book #2! Plus: how to stay sane during all these "unprecedented times"
Yes, I've been just as overwhelmed as you these past several months... Here's how I've been focusing my energy and time
It’s unbelievable to realize that my last newsletter was half a year ago, but the world has essentially turned upside down during that time. I apologize to everyone who subscribed to GynoMight thinking it would bring regular doses of reproductive health facts and funny videos about vulvas into your inbox. I will actually include those in this post, don’t worry - in addition to some SUPER exciting news that you’re all hearing before anyone else! Stick with me…
For now, I wanted to encourage you all that if you’ve been scared, struggling, or angry about everything that’s been happening in the world, I’m right there with you. I also wanted to share some basic strategies that I’ve been using to not just keep my head above water, but to continue to try to make a difference during absolutely chaotic times.
Honestly, I’ve been overwhelmed by everything happening in the U.S. In normal circumstances, I could respond to things happening in the news or on social media in some sort of timely fashion. Now, every day brings multiple ludicrous or terrifying pieces of news, and it’s impossible to keep up. I took the advice that I tried to give you all at the end of the last newsletter, and have been trying to preserve my mental health and energy however I can. For a while, that took the form of just not watching the news at all, because it was so frustrating and painful. I definitely took a deep dive into reading every romance and rom-com novel I could get my hands on, because in those worlds, the conflicts get resolved, and you can be confident that no matter what struggles the characters face along the way, there will be a happily ever after (HEA).
But it’s a balance between staying sane (and not wasting our energy on the chaos that is being deliberately sown with the purpose of wearing us down) - and burying our heads in the sand while people’s rights and physical safety are being threatened. So I’ve been trying to still create videos and engage when there’s something that I have expertise on.
I’ve also done quite a few community events for topics like perimenopause and menopause, and I’ve also Zoomed into some book clubs that have been reading IT’S NOT HYSTERIA! I’ll tell you: nothing fills your empty cup to overflowing and gives you the energy to keep working and fighting like gathering with other similarly minded people and encouraging each other! Every time, I feel recharged and recommitted to doing the necessary work, because even if we help ONE person, we are making an important impact.
Just yesterday, I gave a book talk at the Seminary Co-op bookstore, when I came back to my alma mater, the University of Chicago, for our 25th reunion (gasp, sob). It was *packed*, thanks to the enthusiasm of my fellow class of 2000 alumni. We covered all the things, including how I suggest that we improve a broken system, and also advocate for things like reproductive rights, fight racial and gender biases, and threats to the LGBTQIA+ community. You know, easy stuff?! But here’s the basic outline of what I recommended:
Conserve your energy and mental bandwidth for the things that are important, and will actually make a difference:
Fighting with trolls in comments, or anyone else (relatives, co-workers) who will not change their minds, is only going to burn you out and drain the energy you could have dedicated to something more constructive. Write, organize a talk or community event, volunteer, create your own content, network with those with a similar mission. Don’t let the trolls steal your momentum or wear you down.
None of us can do this alone:
Both in terms of doing important work, and also achieving “work / life balance.” I’ve tried to handle it all, not burdening anyone else, but it’s not possible to sustain this long term. Not professionally or personally. Tap into your networks, keep an open mind in terms of partnering with others to help achieve your goals, and if you need help, ask for it.
Don’t let imposter syndrome paralyze you:
If you’d told me a few years ago that millions of people would be watching and sharing my videos, or tens of thousands of people would be writing a book that I’d written, I’d have said you were hallucinating. I was just a run of the mill doctor, not doing ground-breaking research, or anything unique. But there’s such a massive need out there for basic health and science information, and my message is resonating with others. Don’t talk yourself out of the importance of your knowledge base, your perspective, the mission that you feel is necessary. Don’t become an insufferable narcissist or anything (!), but know that if you feel a certain way, it’s likely that many others do too, and would be be excited to share or learn from your message if presented in a thoughtful way. Come up with one practical, achievable action item or goal, and start working towards it. Once you’ve done that, keep expanding your goals and your vision. You’ll be shocked at what you can achieve.
Figure your community, and your sphere of influence:
In my talks, I always try to end with a call to action, including thinking about who you can reach, and what your sphere of influence may be. We can also influence *someone*, be it our family members, our co-workers, members of our communities, etc. I’ve seen some incredible people take their passion (for raising awareness about endometriosis or perimenopause/menopause, advocating for reproductive rights, etc), and planning events for their company and co-workers, their local communities, a national organization. They’ve gotten friends together for a book club, and shared about their experiences and broken down the stigma against talking about periods, sex, hormones. Think about who you want to reach, and you can do so in a fun and productive way.
(Side note: a woman started the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Vulva” by painting a giant canvas with the cover of my book, hosting a book club event with vulva-shaped cookies and pens to give away, and then mailing that canvas to other book clubs across the country to encourage them to have similar events! BRILLIANT! If you do something like this, please let me know in the comments, and I will try to Zoom into the meeting to thank you!)
NOW, for my exciting news!!
The publisher of IT’S NOT HYSTERIA has acquired my 2nd book, which will focus on HORMONES! We’re still thinking of a title, I want something just as evocative as It’s Not Hysteria. I even thought of calling it HORMONE HYSTERIA - because unlike It’s Not Hysteria, which was dedicated to all the conditions that can cause suffering and symptoms that are not just “in your mind,” this new book will explore the myths and confusion around hormones, and then explain what is true and what is fake news. In this case, the “hysteria” lies in the misinformation and disinformation that spreads like wildfire when it comes to hormones. This new book will also take a deeper dive into the facts about how hormones work in your body (i.e. during menstrual cycles, sex, pregnancy, post-partum, and perimenopause/menopause, and metabolism), as well as the hormones that are in medications such as birth control, gender affirming treatments, hormone replacement therapy, and weight management treatments such as GLP-1’s.
I’m very open to suggestions for names - so please let me know your ideas in the comments! If I use your title, I’ll obviously give you credit in the Acknowledgements. I’m just starting to write the book now, and we’re looking at a spring 2027 publication date. It sounds far away, but from my experience with It’s Not Hysteria, the time will fly by!
Speaking of It’s Not Hysteria… If you’re looking for a last minute MOTHER’S DAY present for Sunday, what would make a better gift than a book that will help the moms in your life take control of their health and well-being, understand their bodies better, and live their best lives?! No matter where she is in her reproductive life - from thinking about fertility, to perimenopause or menopause, or bladder / pelvic floor / vaginal issues from pregnancy or childbirth, there’s something in there that she’s been wondering about. And the amazing cover makes it a beautiful as well as as practical gift! You can order it from your local independent book stores, or here are the links to order if you need it shipped, or if the mom in your life (or you!) prefer audiobook or e-book:
Order It's Not Hysteria for Mom (or yourself!)
Finally, the paperback of It’s Not Hysteria will be released on July 8th - pre-orders are open now! If you’ve been waiting to get the book until it was a lower price point, or if you just want a smaller copy to throw into your bag for the pool, beach, or those summer trips (!), now’s the time. Please spread the word, and pre-order so you get it in time for summer reading!
I can’t say it enough - thank you all so much for your support of It’s Not Hysteria, and your partnership in getting this resource out to those who desperately need it! I see your social media posts, your DMs about sending copies to friends and family, and your incredibly powerful reviews. You’re all amazing, thank you!! I’ll be putting together some book events around paperback publication time, so stay tuned - hopefully I’ll get to meet some more of you in person!
Now that I’m back on the Substack horse, so to speak, I’ll definitely try to put out newsletters once a month, and I’m open to suggestions for content that you’d like to see - both in the newsletter and in my video-based social media platforms!