When Lisa Gayle Moore first rediscovered her love for coloring, it wasn’t just a casual hobby. It became a soothing refuge during a time of significant personal change. On a girls’ trip to Savannah for her sister’s 50th birthday, Lisa reconnected with the joy of coloring. Little did she know, this simple act would soon blossom into a creative outlet that would help her—and many other women—navigate the complexities of menopause. 
“I rediscovered coloring again during that trip with my sister,” Lisa recalls with a smile. “While planning for our trip, I was thinking of different games for us to play, and I ordered some Black girl coloring books. That’s when I realized just how therapeutic coloring could be, especially when dealing with something as overwhelming as menopause.”
Like many women, Lisa found herself grappling with the challenges of perimenopause, a journey that can often feel isolating and misunderstood, especially for women of color. But rather than simply endure these changes, Lisa saw an opportunity to transform her experience into something positive and potentially helpful for others.
While coloring may seem like a trivial approach to managing your menopause-related symptoms, according to the Mayo clinic, the act of coloring can be beneficial to your health by promoting mindfulness and relieving stress.
“I started writing down ideas, and I thought, why not create a coloring book that reflects the real issues we go through during menopause?” she explains.
The result was the launch of a unique and deeply personal line of coloring books focused on menopause.
“I wanted to create something that wasn’t just about the symptoms but also about embracing the journey with a bit of humor and affirmation,” Lisa shares.
Her first book, aptly named “Hot Flash Humor and Affirmations,” mixes light-hearted takes on menopause with powerful, uplifting messages.
“One of my favorite affirmations from the book is ‘Embrace Your Curves,'” Lisa says, holding up the page with a knowing smile. “Weight gain has been one of the biggest struggles for me during menopause. It’s something that I’ve had to remind myself of constantly—embracing who I am now, in this phase of life.”
Creating these coloring books has been more than just an artistic endeavor for Lisa; it’s been a way to process her own experiences and connect with other women going through the same journey.
“When I was growing up, I remember my mom going through hot flashes, but we never talked about it. It wasn’t something that was discussed,” Lisa reflects. “I think that’s why it’s so important to have these conversations now, to let other women know they’re not alone.”
In addition to “Hot Flash Humor and Affirmations,” Lisa has expanded her line to include other themes like self-care and sisterhood, each book offering a different way for women to engage with their own menopause experience.
“I thought I was just going to do one book,” she admits, “but I had so much fun creating it, and it felt so meaningful that I decided to keep going.”
Despite not considering herself an artist, Lisa’s background in fashion and her family’s artistic influences have clearly shaped her approach.
“I’m not an artist, but I’ve always been around art,” she says. “My mom was an artist, my husband is an artist, and my stepdaughter is an artist. So, while I might not draw the images myself, I work closely with a graphic designer to bring my ideas to life.”
As Lisa continues to explore her creative side, she’s also thinking about how to maintain her health and well-being through the ongoing challenges of menopause. After experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and depression, Lisa tried hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the form of pellets. While the treatment provided relief, its cost—$350 per treatment every six months—made it difficult to continue long-term.
“It was effective, but it just became too expensive because my insurance didn’t cover it,” Lisa explains.
Now 54 and post-menopausal, Lisa is considering her options and planning to consult with her doctor about possibly resuming HRT. She says that in addition to struggling with weight gain and low libido, she continues to have hot flashes.
“I want to see what other options are available,” she says, “but I know I need to do something to help manage these symptoms.”
As she looks ahead, Lisa is committed to expanding her coloring book line and continuing to provide a creative outlet for women navigating menopause.
“I realize that coloring is not going to cure your hot flashes,” she laughs, “but it can definitely help you relax and feel more connected to your experience. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.”
Lisa’s message to other women of color going through menopause is simple yet powerful:
“You’re not alone. There are millions of us out there experiencing the same things, and it’s going to be okay—even if it doesn’t always feel like it. We can get through this together.”
For those interested in exploring Lisa’s coloring books, they can be found on Amazon under her pen name, Lisa Gayle Moore. You can also follow her journey and connect with her on social media under the handle @MenoColoringWithLisa on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
Lisa’s story and her creative approach to managing menopause serve as a reminder that self-care can take many forms. Whether through art, humor, or community, the most important thing is finding what works for you.
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