Meet Valerie Lapinski, a journalist, producer, and writer who created a pocket-sized zine about perimenopause
I’m a journalist, producer, and writer living in Brooklyn with my family. My career began at a community radio station in Sitka, Alaska; it truly changed my life forever. Doing journalism has led me to some amazing experiences at places like The Guardian, Vox, and TIME. I’m always doing several creative projects at once, which is just the way I like it.
I’m in the midst of
Taking a breath in between career moves, enjoying my family and working on passion projects. My latest project is a zine about perimenopause; I wanted to do something refreshingly non-digital. It’s been fulfilling to talk to uterus-havers about their experiences and to get inspired by their humor and creativity. The physical issue is cute and tiny — my friend said it feels like a little taco seasoning packet! — and it’s free to download and print if you don’t happen to be in Brooklyn. I’m excited about the issues to come. Oh yeah, and I’m also writing a romance novel.
The best thing about my current age, 45
Honestly, a lot of it sucks. My face is collapsing, my silver hair is here to stay, and random body parts are creaking. But at the same time, the burden of caring what other people think has lifted. I feel more playful and earnest now. It’s like Bob Dylan says in “My Back Pages”: I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.
The best thing I’ve done for myself in midlife
Getting the courage to start doing pilates and strength training, even though I have gym and fitness-equipment phobia!
My midlife must-have
Friends. New ones, old ones, as many as I can keep around. And I don’t mean liking posts on social media. I mean long voicemails, surprise calls and postcards, and recharging hangouts. Other must-haves: ridiculous school drop-off outfits. If you’re gonna schlep your kid to school in all kinds of weather, you should definitely be doing it in dog-party sweatpants.
My Grown-Ass Lady heroes
Jessica Valenti : This woman reports on the state of reproductive rights for us every. single. day. She follows every movement of how the overturn of Roe v Wade is rippling across the country and fights to keep the story in the foreground, no small thing in the sea of media that barrages and numbs us every day.
Roxane Gay: I love her writing and am in awe of the creative variety of projects she does, from memoir to work advice to her publishing imprint. I live for The Audacious Roundup every week. She just seems like a first-rate person, and I wish we were friends.
Lacy Simons: Every woman in my life is my hero; that’s why I keep them around! But I’ll do a specific shoutout to my best friend, Lacy. She’s creative as heck, owns an indie bookstore, is an incredible parent, and floors me every day with the way she approaches life’s challenges with a curious and generous spirit. Oh, and she’s hilarious.
What’s next
Another issue of the zine (next issue is a humor issue! Hit me up if you want to submit something!), finishing my book, and a new foray in journalism. And in the long run my retirement plan is to be a park ranger, so I gotta go get a degree in horticulture or forestry…
Follow me
Website: https://www.fanclubzine.net
Instagram @fanclubzine
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