OH! Magazine - Australian Version May 2016 | Page 6

( OH WOW! ) MAKING THE MOST OF A MID-WIFE CRISIS In honour of Mother’s Day, share in Diane Westaway’s life-changing experiences, that have since changed many more lives as a result. I can joke about it now, but back then, it was no laughing matter. Being a frumpy, frazzled, fed-up mum fighting 40 was not what I’d signed up for. I’d lost my sparkle. I’d lost me. I’d nurtured everybody else and neglected myself. But little did I know it was about to get worse. When my husband returned from a work trip to find me curled up in the foetal position, blinds drawn and cockroaches crawling over last night’s dishes, he told me to ‘snap out of it’. But I didn’t know how. Then, out of the blue, a friend’s personal trainer invited me to join his group trek up a high altitude mountain in Peru. The thrill of adventure beyond the drudgery of my white picket fence and my complete lack of fitness motivation inspired me to sign up. A few days later the guilt kicked in and I couldn’t believe what I’d done. Next came the fear. Friends told me it was dangerous, I was irresponsible, I was a bad mother. I could die. What was I thinking to take such risks? Then I told my husband. We both knew I needed a break. His sister would come and help him with the kids. It would be good for him to try being mum for a while, to do the thinking for two little humans 24/7, and do time at the kitchen sink between bottom wiping, counselling, cooking, teaching and first aiding. 6 MAY 2016 ( OH! MAGAZINE ) Because it was me who needed some first aid and if I didn’t get it, I’d probably end up in intensive care. I had everything; I was supposed to feel happy. But I didn’t. What I needed was a change. The prepa