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Issue #34: retreat. conserve. flow.

Issue #34: retreat. conserve. flow.

inner compass, listening, puberty + supporting hormonal health, holiday alcohol alternatives, + why hysterectomies deserve a doula.

Nov 29, 2024
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INTERWOVXN
INTERWOVXN
Issue #34: retreat. conserve. flow.
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“As we enter holiday season this is a reminder not to overcommit yourself. Winter is a time of retreating inward and conserving energy, slowing down and resting. Allow the most Yin time of the year to guide you in living with the flow and harmony of your life, and the essence of the year to inspire gratitude and love.”

@lilychoinaturalhealing


a DECEMBER break…we will see you in 2025!

This December, we’re taking a pause from our weekly newsletter—a chance to turn inward, reduce the digital noise, and focus on meaningful connections and things to come. The season already fills our inboxes with gift guides, holiday recipes, and endless to-dos so we thought one less email to open might be welcome while creating space for us to focus on 2025. We are recording episodes for the new season, working on a new website, and launching some new things in the new year. We can’t wait to share what’s ahead as well as a roundup of the best of 2024 in January! Thank you for being here and for your support always. Have topics you would like to see more of in 2025?

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THERESA update + hysterectomy DOULA offering

Hi all! My instinct is to say I’m fresh on the other side of my full hysterectomy and, although it has been 6 weeks, healing from this surgery (and, frankly, this life experience as a whole thing) feels both fresh and a lifetime ago. Because it felt like a bullet train from my cyst rupture in mid July to my BRCA 2 diagnosis to surgery last month, I’m experiencing a bit of whiplash and processing what my body (my whole self) has been through in the span of 3 months. I still have trouble sitting for extended periods and can’t move back into physical activity at the level I was at pre-surgery but my scars are healing, I’m walking my dog, and back to most of my daily life. The lightning pains and discomforts trick my mind at first until I quickly remember it’s not my cysts, period pain, or endometriosis (oh yeah, they finally confirmed after decades of pain and questions that I did indeed have endometriosis - we will definitely get into THAT conversation at a later date). That chapter has ended for me and I’m working through the emotions of that realization. While I want to throw my hands up and celebrate no more periods and all associated things, I’m also finding my way through saying goodbye to that important piece of me.

Like with my postpartum experience, my hysterectomy has given me the gift of new perspective and new knowledge. I was fortunate to have a great gynecologic oncologist and several amazing nurse practitioners to guide me through but the reality is that their time and capacity is limited. And information that is provided does not reflect the whole experience from the other side of the desk where we sit. Similar to postpartum, post-hysterectomy support in the form of informational and emotional support is critical. We need to allow ourselves time to take in and consciously manage the significance of a hysterectomy. To understand the recovery process and allow ourselves the space to nurture our healing. Too often this procedure is delayed because women can’t envision how they can have time or the ability to prioritize their healing. As a hysterectomy doula, I want my services to remind women how important their health is and that they deserve care, rest, and access to loving support.

What is a hysterectomy doula?

A hysterectomy is so much more than a surgical procedure—it’s a profound experience that can reshape how we see our bodies, our health, and even our identities. This transition deserves to be treated with the same care and reverence as any other major life event. A hysterectomy doula provides a steady presence through this journey, offering emotional validation, practical guidance, and a compassionate ear for the unspoken fears and hopes that often arise. With a doula's support, the recovery process becomes not just about healing physically but also about finding balance, reclaiming strength, and moving forward with grace. You don’t have to navigate it alone—your story, your emotions, and your healing all matter deeply.

Interested in learning more or know someone who might benefit from support?

I would love to connect


TASTE: Seed Cycling Bites. Seed cycling is a natural approach to hormonal balance that involves consuming specific seeds during different phases of the menstrual cycle to support hormone production and regulation. By incorporating seeds like flax and pumpkin during the follicular phase (days 1-14) and sesame and sunflower during the luteal phase (days 15-28), seed cycling may help regulate menstrual cycles, alleviate PMS and perimenopause symptoms, and support fertility by nourishing the body with essential nutrients. These nutrient-dense bites make the perfect snack (and sweet treat) for busy days, offering a delicious and convenient way to promote hormonal health. Stay tuned in January for our Cycle Syncing Guide. If you missed it this summer, we dive deeper into aligning nutrition, movement, and lifestyle with your cycle!

And this cookbook is on our radar… perhaps the onset of cold weather has us dreaming of Italian Islands (and comfort food)!


SEE: Lulu and Georgia x Lolly Lolly.
Lalese Stamps is the creative force behind Lolly Lolly Ceramics, a design studio rooted in both artistic expression and functional craftsmanship. Lalese just made the move from Milwaukee to New York and launched a collection with Lulu and Georgia and we are obsessed! From light fixtures and vases to dinnerware and tables, we love the lines and playfulness. If you are not familiar with her 100 mug project, learn more here…she made 100 mugs with 100 different handles in 100 days bringing major brand recognition to Lolly Lolly Ceramics.


SMELL: Ditch the Dinner Party—Host an At-Home Cafe Instead.
Speaking of mugs and conserving energy… “At-home cafes have been all over our social media feeds since May, but the holiday season is the perfect time for rethinking the way you have friends over. Now, you can make up for all those times you told people you’d grab a cup of coffee with them—in the comfort of your own home. The concept: Curate the vibe (and smell) of your favorite coffee shop inside your house. Now’s the time to show off your funky mug collection and match them to each of your friends' personalities. All those teacups and matching teacup plates hiding in the back of your pantries?”


HEAR: Why Exquisite Listening Is The Kindest Thing You Can Learn To Do.
“It’s what we all crave,” writes journalist Kate Murphy in her book “You’re Not Listening,” “to be understood as a person with thoughts, emotions, and intentions that are unique and valuable and deserving of attention…Listening is not about teaching, shaping, critiquing, appraising, or showing how it should be done…Listening is about the experience of being experienced.” Exquisite listening asks us to put aside our need to invalidate someone’s narrative to protect our own. Instead, exquisite listeners understand that the most powerful avenue to change begins with connection, and there can be no connection without respect and safety.

And the Björk: Nature Manifesto - A sound installation at the Centre Pompidou.

TOUCH: Strength Training Is a Must for Women in Midlife — Here’s Why. Research shows that doing 30 to 60 minutes of strength training a week can lower your risk of premature aging, heart disease and cancer by 10 to 20 percent. What’s more, dedicating an hour per week to lifting weights has been shown to to reduce women’s diabetes risk significantly. From enhancing muscle mass and bone density to improving balance and mental well-being, strength training is a powerful tool that can significantly improve your quality of life. Another hack that we are looking to add in for bone health and muscle mass (and may be in our stockings this holiday season;)…a weighted vest.

What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!

Send us a Message


looking for a holiday gift to support YOUR health + the WOMEN in your life?

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And don’t forget our FREE WOVXN Wellness Guides.
Download one or all.

Menstrual.Cycle WOVXN Wellness Guide

Fertile.Health WOVXN Wellness Guide

Mother.Hood WOVXN Wellness Guide

Peri.Menopause WOVXN Wellness Guide

Breast.Health WOVXN Wellness Guide

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signs of FIRST PERIOD + supporting HORMONES

Puberty and perimenopause, though at opposite ends of the reproductive journey, often mirror each other in surprising ways. Both bring about dramatic hormonal shifts that can affect mood, energy, sleep, and body changes, creating a shared experience of transformation. For mothers and daughters navigating these life stages together, the overlap can be a challenge—but also an opportunity for connection. As menstruators face the first signs of their period and mothers adapt to the changes of perimenopause, understanding these parallels can foster empathy, support, and mutual growth.

Here are a few articles/posts that we thought might be helpful:

First Period Timeline from Girlology: While there is no single sign, there are some indicators of when one might expect their first period.

9 Ways to Support Your Daughter’s Hormonal Health from Dr. Aviva Romm. Small, consistent changes in daily habits can have a profound impact on hormonal health, fostering balance and resilience throughout the reproductive and menstrual lifespan.

House of Hormones: When Menopause and Puberty Coincide in your Home. What if puberty hits your home at the same time as peri/menopause? Here are tips for managing these two big life stages under the one roof, and how it can actually present an opportunity for connection.

Stay tuned for our Cycle Syncing Guide in 2025, a valuable resource for supporting hormones at every stage—from the first period to perimenopause—designed to help you connect with your body and make empowered choices that honor your unique hormonal rhythms and overall well-being.


Read on for paid subscriber bonus content…connecting to your inner compass and the holiday alcohol alternative guide from our friends at Complex Creatures.

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