Listen, we love all the menopause information out there. We really do. The podcasts, the books, the supplements, the tracking apps, the hormone therapy discussions, the lifestyle changes...
But sometimes? Sometimes we just need someone to tell us about the simple things. The little helpers that don't require a doctor's appointment, a credit card, or three hours of research to figure out if they're right for you.
In recognition of Menopause Awareness Month, we're sharing our favorite under-the-radar finds. No overwhelm. No complicated protocols. Just the weird little things that actually make life easier.
Consider this your permission slip to keep it simple.
The Hot Water Bottle 🔥❄️
We know. A hot water bottle for hot flashes sounds like the worst idea ever. But this isn't for the hot flashes, friend.
It's for those achy joints that appeared out of nowhere. The cramps that got weird before they disappeared. The cold feet at 2 AM after you kicked off all the blankets during a personal heatwave. The tense shoulders from carrying the weight of "is this a symptom or am I just getting old?"
The plot twist? Fill it with cold water when you need it. Press it against your neck during a hot flash. It's the Swiss Army knife of menopause comfort, and it costs about $15, maybe $35 with a sweater on it.
Tweezers. Everywhere.
Bathroom tweezers. Bedroom tweezers. Car tweezers. Purse tweezers. Desk drawer tweezers.
Because that chin hair you spotted in your rearview mirror at a stoplight? It cannot wait until you get home. It simply cannot.
No shame. No judgment. Just strategic tweezer placement throughout your life. You're welcome.
Toothpicks in Your Purse
Speaking of things that suddenly appear where they shouldn't... has anyone else noticed that food gets stuck in your teeth approximately 47% more often than it used to?
Maybe it's shifting gums. Maybe it's distracted eating while trying to remember what you walked into the kitchen for. Maybe it's the universe having a laugh.
Either way, a little container of toothpicks in your purse is a game-changer. Discrete. Effective. No more trying to casually use your fingernail at a restaurant.
Panty Liners (Yes, Still)
Whether it's surprise spotting, a little sneeze situation (we don't talk about that enough), or just the general unpredictability of bodies in transition... panty liners aren't just for periods.
Keep a stash in your purse, your car, your desk drawer. Think of them as insurance for all the times your body decides to surprise you. Which, let's be honest, is most days now.
Readers (Multiple Pairs)
One pair by the bed. One in the kitchen. One in your purse. One in the car. One in the bathroom. One at your desk.
Because squinting at the shampoo bottle to see if it's conditioner is not how you want to start your day. And neither is the scavenger hunt to find your reading glasses that are somehow never where you left them.
Are you losing your readers constantly? Yes. Is it cheaper to buy them in bulk online? Also yes. Problem solved.
The Bottom Line
Look, there's plenty of time for the serious stuff. The doctor's appointments, the supplements, the big lifestyle changes. That's all important, and we're not dismissing it.
But sometimes the best helpers are the simple ones. The $15 hot water bottle. The extra tweezers. The toothpicks that save you from awkward lettuce-in-teeth moments.
Menopause is overwhelming enough. Let's celebrate the small wins.
What's your under-the-radar menopause helper? The random thing that makes your day just a little bit easier? Drop it in the comments - we're always looking to add to the list.
Because if we can't keep it simple and have a laugh, what's the point?
xo,
The XO Jacqui Team
P.S. We'll be sharing more of these simple helpers all month long on Instagram. Follow along for your weekly dose of "why didn't anyone tell me this sooner?" @xojacquiproducts