Name: Dixie Lincoln-Nichols

Menopause phase: Post-Period Phase (Post-Menopause)

Place you call home: Pennsylvania

What you’re creating: Well-being & Well-aging communities

Age: 52

1. Rituals can be deeply personal. Share a specific ritual that has helped you embrace the changes of menopause with enthusiasm or resilience?

One of my go-to rituals is making a nutrient-packed “sunshine smoothie” or ” green juice” as many mornings as I can. They are usually a blend of anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and leafy greens with a handful of berries. I’ll add a spoonful of chia seeds or flax for fiber and olive oil for a boost of healthy fats. I play around with the ingredients for variety and land on some delicious tasting and nutritious blends.

This ritual feels like a fresh start in a glass. It’s energizing, nourishing, and meant to support my body through its changes. Preparing and enjoying my drinks bring me a sense of vitality and ease, especially because I know nutrition is so crucial for my health and well-being during this phase.

2. How have you redefined beauty as you’ve aged? Do any of your rituals support this new definition?

Aging has taught me that beauty is deeply tied to self-mastery, self-acceptance, self-compassion, and how I nurture body mind my spirit. I’ve redefined beauty as an essence that radiates from within; it’s a reflection of my mindset and how well I care for my well-being, which begins inside. I’m all about inside outer beauty.

3. Is there a particular practice—whether it’s movement, meditation, or something else—that has become essential to your well-being during menopause?

Yes, Qigong has become essential to my well-being. It grounds me, helps me manage stress, and balances my energy. The gentle movements combined with focused breathing are perfect for maintaining inner calm, especially during times when menopause feels most intense.

4. What role does your community or your sista circle play in your menopausal and aging experience, and do you share any rituals with other women that support this journey?

My community and sisterhood are invaluable. We share our stories, listen, and support each other in ways that are deeply healing. We connect via telephone, zoom, in person, in community, and at events. We reflect on our experiences, set intentions, and celebrate our collective wins and journeys. However we connect, the space is safe for vulnerability, empowerment, and meaningful connection. It’s precious.

5. What does ‘sacred’ mean to you in the context of aging and menopause? Do you have any sacred rituals that honor this stage of life?

Sacred’ in the context of aging and menopause means reverence for this stage of life, this powerful passage I get to experience, and the work I get to do. My work exists to support myself and women. I believe in the sacredness, wholeness, and expansiveness of well-being, including the menopausal passage, and I care deeply about creating experiences and safe spaces that provide support.

One of my sacred rituals is my daily (when I wake up in the morning) prayers, when there is no noise, and I can spend time connecting with God. This quiet time feels like an honoring of the person I was, the person I am and the person I’m becoming.

6. Looking back on your pre-menopausal years, is there anything you wish you had known or done differently to prepare for this transition? How does this wisdom shape your rituals now?

I would definitely be more intentional when it comes to conversations with my peers about the changes that seemed unusual and out of the ordinary for my body. Early on, I kept most of my experiences to myself. Mainly because I was a loner and folks weren’t really talking much about pro-aging and menopause. Though I asked questions and got answers, I didn’t share much. That all changed twelve years ago when a self-care sabbatical came calling, and I said, let’s do this. The flood gates opened.

This wisdom now shapes my rituals by ensuring that I practice vulnerability and openness when it comes to matters of my health and well-being, reminding myself that the changes and shifts my body experiences is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Safe community is an asset for thriving in menopause and aging well.

7. How do you define well-aging, and what does it look like in your life?

Well-aging, to me, is a beautiful, complex and empowering journey that requires courage and intentionality to embrace where I am in life.  It’s nourishing my body, mind, and spirit, so I can experience optimal health, longevity, and vitality. It requires my framework pillars of self-care, which includes restorative practices, purpose, relationships, finances, recreation, and sustenance. It also means leaning into the support of community care.

And it isn’t just about the present or the future, It’s also about honoring the past me, and embracing my changing body, hormone shifts, and emotional and physical needs. As a result, I create rituals that help keep me grounded, centered, and connected to my true self, which is not always easy. But with support it’s possible.

As I embrace growing older I’ve found new purpose, while expanding older ones. Well-aging means celebrating who I am, who I’m becoming and how I’m evolving and living. 

Everyday Rituals: Share one or more current rituals that you haven’t shared before.

• Daily Ritual: Drinking as much water as I can daily.
• Weekly Ritual: Wednesday meeting with my biz partner.
• Monthly Ritual: Budgeting for the month
• Yearly Ritual: A road trip. Jumping in the car and driving far away from home.