Fun & Famous

WHAT YOU CAN ALREADY LEARN FROM THE BOOK BY ISA HOES AND MEDINA SCHUURMAN

The menopause, that might not be immediately on your short-term plan. But for Isa Hoes and Medina Schuurman, it is, they are right in the middle of the big taboo. Because what do you actually know about that notorious period, other than that it’s often very hot and the mood swings go through the roof? Exactly, little. Together, the friends wrote the book ‘Te lijf’. A balanced mix between an honest story and the much-needed expertise. And you know what I think? That this should be required reading on every woman's reading list.

At BAUT & Dreesmann, Isa and Medina sit down to explain why this book had to be written. The art of aging beautifully is the thought. A fine work in progress, because you fall off your chair, they are so beautiful. ‘But just two days ago, Isa was feeling down. You have those f*cking days that are a struggle,’ Medina tells. ‘Then you only see that rough, old face. And everything revolves around being young, fresh, and fruity.’ Isa chimes in: ‘You know what's so strange? You don't feel old, I'm stronger than I've ever been. But that's why it's sometimes so hard to make that switch to that cracked little face. You want everything, but that body less.’

Medina: ‘The advice of a wise, older woman, I wish I had that earlier. Then the menopause might not have been easy, but at least you knew what to expect.’ The two close friends wrote the book shoulder to shoulder. ‘It wasn't you a chapter, me a chapter. It was Medina and Isa. We wrote together, this was bigger than us. ‘Te lijf’ had to come, precisely to share. Talk to someone about how confronting that menopause is. Go to a menopause consultant, they exist. Don't have a close friend like Medina and me? Let this book be that,’ Isa explains.

‘Life goes as it should go,’

Do Medina and Isa have advice for younger women? Certainly. ‘Life goes as it should go,’ Isa believes. Medina: ‘But you don't always have to be strong, you can be a bit softer on yourself. That thought of always having to be strong is something you see in young women, but also in us. Everything has to be perfect. Men are becoming softer, women tougher. Stop struggling alone, confide in someone.’ And Isa adds: ‘Read, read.’

When you go on vacation, you buy a travel guide. Pregnant? Hooray, pregnancy course on the way. And when you get your period, you even get advice from an enthusiastic biology teacher from whom you don't want to hear it. But the menopause, no one talks about it. Until now, because Isa and Medina don't hold back. Thank goodness, take advantage of it.

Extra fun: Isa Hoes and Medina Schuurman are giving away three signed copies via Amayzine, maybe to you. Tag the friend you would actually talk to and have a chance to win a signed copy of ’Te Lijf’ by Isa Hoes and Medina Schuurman.