We're taking a detour from our perimenopause chats this week, friends. I was all set to share some strategies for those of us wrestling with "the change," but life had other plans. This week hit hard. Emotionally, I found myself at a low I just couldn’t shake. And as if on cue, my body followed, chasing a five-week viral chest bug with a new sinus cold that completely wiped me out.
In a desperate attempt to claw my way back to some semblance of health, I visited my doctor, chiropractor, AND naturopath, basically begging them to build me back up. For someone who usually prides herself on pushing through, I’ve been humbled by just how necessary it is to lean on others when the ground feels like it’s falling out beneath you. After diving deep into Dr. Marie-Claire Haver's must-read The New Menopause, I was ready to have some hard conversations about:
How my brain is lying to me these days. It’s like my emotions are on a bullet train, and I’ve lost track of when and how I’m supposed to get off. AND there’s no Brad Pitt to help me.
How my quality of life is slipping through my fingers. Every day feels harder than the last, and I’m tired of trying to keep up with what used to feel normal.
How I need to build up my strength for the next 3-5 months. We’ve got some big challenges ahead with people I love dearly, and I can’t afford to be this drained.
Before I start hormone therapy, though, there are a few hurdles to jump. I've got a bone density scan, a mammogram, a transvaginal ultrasound, and some blood tests to knock off my to-do list before I'm referred to the menopause clinic at Mt. Sinai. My doctor said, “You love this stuff, so I’m going to refer you there.” And it’s true! A part of me still feels like a magazine writer at heart—I live for this kind of deep dive into “women’s lifestyle” topics.
Then came the kicker—I found out that the waitlist for this all-woman doctor clinic is two years long. TWO. YEARS. LONG. So when my North American Menopause Society-certified naturopath said she could prescribe some relief right now, I jumped on it. I've done the research, and I’m confident that this could help alleviate some of the mess going on inside me. As I said to both my doctor and my naturopath, "I am so desperate for a solution that if you told me heroin was the only thing that would fix this, I’d roll up my sleeves."
But before I dive headfirst into hormone therapy— and trust me, I will—I want to make sure I’m armed with all the facts and a little real-life experience. So stay tuned, because once I’ve given this a proper go, I’ll be back with a juicy, research-backed update.
In the meantime, I’ve got some exciting news to share. Grab your favourite warm beverage, settle in, and get ready—things are about to get interesting!
BIG NEWS: Yours truly, in print!
I'm thrilled to announce that my essay, “Dede’s Dream,” will be featured in the forthcoming anthology Back Where I Came From. It’s an honour to be included alongside some seriously talented writers. I’m sandwiched between award-winning Egyptian-Canadian Omar El-Akkad and Lishai Peel, whose beautiful essay offers a unique multi-ethnic Jewish perspective on Israel. These stories reveal how our identities and cultures shift and adapt across borders and generations.
As I share this news, I’m acutely aware that today marks one year since [I don’t even know what to call it anymore]. My heart aches for everyone: my Palestinian, Lebanese, and Muslim friends, my Jewish friends, and anyone caught in this cycle of hatred, fear, and unimaginable violence. As someone with a family history of genocide who writes about diaspora experiences and cultural identity, I’m horrified by the escalating violence we’re witnessing, particularly against innocent civilians.
I stand firmly against all forms of hate, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I want the bombing to stop. NOW. I want the Israeli hostages to reunite with their families. It’s difficult to hold so much pain, but it’s even harder to turn away from it. As storytellers, we don’t have the luxury of looking the other way—we have the responsibility to help others see what they’ve been missing.
Writing about my hybrid identity as a second-gen Armenian-Canadian during my 2019 trip to Armenia (Hayastan) was a way to untangle the knots of fear and generational trauma. Now, more than ever, I’m reminded of the importance of stories that amplify marginalized voices to share their lived experiences and perspectives. In times like these, our role as writers and thinkers is to foster empathy, challenge hatred, and call for justice and humanity for all.
Edited by the brilliant Taslim Jaffer and Omar Mouallem, this collection is like a literary passport, taking readers around the globe as diaspora writers spill the tea on their "homeland" experiences. The book is a powerful response to that tired, bigoted line: “Why don’t you go back to where you came from?” Well, the joke’s on them—we did! And 24 of us wrote about it.
The anthology, Back Where I Came From: On Culture, Identity, and Home, will be hitting the shelves this November, courtesy of Book*Hug Press. If you’re feeling generous (and who doesn’t love supporting meaningful projects?), I’d be over the moon if you considered pre-ordering.
For my Edmonton peeps, there’s a launch happening on November 14th at Porch Light Books. Sadly, I won’t be there to raise a glass with you, but please go and represent! And if you’re in Vancouver on November 21st, there’s a chance (fingers crossed) you’ll find me at Notional Space—I’ll be the one trying not to hyperventilate with excitement!
On that note: I often get asked HOW I make time to write despite juggling a day job and the busy life that includes mothering two neurospicy kids. If you're curious about my creative process, check out my recent interview with Cara Waterfall at Archipel! We chat all about writing, creativity, and the beauty of showing up for yourself—read the full interview here.
So there you have it, my lovelies—my latest health stuff, some exciting book news, and a reflection on the importance of sharing our stories. Whether you're picking up a copy of the anthology or simply sending good vibes my way, I’m grateful to have you along for the ride.
Life is messy, sometimes brutal, and always unpredictable. Taking time for ourselves—whether it's through writing, reflecting, or simply sitting with a cup of tea—is essential to salvaging our humanity in a mad world. I’ve realized that when we pause, it’s not about escaping life’s chaos, but about building a different kind of space—one where we can gather the energy we’ll need for what’s coming. Writing allows me to explore possibilities and dream of new ways to build worlds outside of what currently exists.
And speaking of writing, I’ve got some exciting news about a new writing community I’m launching soon. Stay tuned—more on that next week! (Or if you can’t wait, send a note to nadinearaksi [AT] gmail.com and I’ll give you the sneak peek.)
Until then, be kind to yourselves and each other.
Reflection Questions:
How do you prioritize self-care when life feels overwhelming, emotionally or physically?
Reflect on moments when your body or mind has needed attention and how you’ve responded. What practices help you find balance, even in chaotic times?When faced with long-term challenges, like waiting for healthcare or navigating personal setbacks, how do you maintain hope or motivation?
Think about the ways you handle waiting for solutions. What helps you stay grounded during times of uncertainty?In times of global conflict and unrest, how do you process the balance between personal focus and empathy for broader issues?
Reflect on how global events affect your personal mindset. How do you navigate feeling connected to the world while still taking care of your own well-being?What creative outlets or personal projects help you process emotional and mental struggles?
Writing, painting, journaling—what practices help you channel your emotions and make sense of your inner world?