Would you buy a ‘Pause Present?
7 Spring Jewelry Picks + Peri/Menopause News
Hi Everyone! I’m trying a new format for my newsletter this week. My Substack community is near and dear to me, so I’d love to know what you think – good or otherwise. What would you like to see more or less of?
Today’s letter includes:
🦋 There are push presents … why not ‘pause presents?
🦋 7 spring jewelry picks
🦋 Highlights from this week’s peri/menopause news
🦋 A 3-minute yoga sequence to soothe aches caused by sitting
The ‘Pause Present: A New Tradition?
As I approach both my 50th birthday (and menopause), I’ve been thinking about how we honor life’s major transitions. We celebrate beginnings—births, weddings, new jobs—but what about transformations? Menopause is a profound shift, one that I believe deserves recognition. That’s where the idea of a "Pause Present" comes in—a gift to mark this milestone with the same intention as a push present or an anniversary ring.
Though I never received a push present, a 'Pause Present feels especially meaningful because of my background. Long before I founded Phosis, I was immersed in the world of jewelry design. I fell in love with metalsmithing in high school, where I learned how to silver solder and cast lost wax, which led me to pursue dual degrees in Photography and Metalsmithing/Jewelry Design at Miami University. From there, I went on to earn an MFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design at Indiana University. (Any fellow Hoosiers out there?)
Designing jewelry has always been a passion of mine, though in recent years, it has taken a backseat to building Phosis. But lately, I’ve felt the pull to return to it—not as a business, but for the pure joy of creating. Whether it’s firing up my torch, or simply stringing a bracelet, or knotting a strand of pearls, the act of making jewelry feels like a form of self-care, a meditative way to reconnect with myself.
One of the things I’ve always loved about metalsmithing is how it teaches adaptability. When working with metal, if the right tool doesn’t exist, you create it. You are only limited by your imagination. Looking back, I realize that that mindset has shaped my entire approach to life—including launching Phosis. When I couldn’t find clean skincare designed specifically for women in perimenopause, I decided to learn about product formulation, research ingredients and create it. The process wasn’t easy or quick, but I’ve learned that when something doesn’t exist, we have the power to build it.
That’s why I love the idea of a Pause Present — perhaps I’ll even design a special for myself. It’s not just about splurging — it’s about acknowledging the strength, resilience, and wisdom we’ve gained. Whether it’s an heirloom piece of jewelry I can pass down to my daughter, a statement handbag, or an unforgettable experience (I do have an adventurous trip on the horizon—more on that soon!), it’s a way to honor this new chapter with pride. Menopause isn’t an ending; it’s an evolution. And it’s time we celebrated it as such.
What would you choose for your Pause Present?
7 Spring Jewelry Finds
Jane Diaz is my all-time favorite for affordable but stunning, everyday jewelry. Quick quality lesson: Her gold-plated pieces are vermeil, which means they’re 24-karat gold-plate over sterling silver. You get the look and color of very rich, vibrant gold at a far better price. The 90s are trending (yikes), so I’ll be wearing and re-wearing the Large Tapered Hoops.
The lovely Dallas-based Cannon Lewis designs personal jewelry with a story, and I’ve been considering this ring. She often shares her creative inspiration for her engravable pieces on social media, her Substack, or the sketchbook section of her site. Minimalists will love nature-inspired pieces like the Leaf Stud earrings or the Diamond Rain necklace (swoon). Check out the Milestone Gifts collection for some lovely statement gemstone rings, earrings, and necklaces to mark a big occasion. Pause present anyone?
I spent this past weekend in Charleston, SC for a wedding, and discovered Croghan’s Jewel Box, a woman-owned fine jewelry store that’s been in the family for generations. Well known among local families for milestone jewelry and rare estate finds, they also offer a carefully curated selection of both contemporary designers and antique pieces online. The Goldbug Puffy Heart Charm is an easy way to get in on the puffy heart trend. It’s engraveable, and designed by the store’s darling owners. If I wanted to splurge, I’d go for the Paul Morelli Tinker Meditation Bell or the Temple St. Clair Piccola Luna Butterfly Post Earrings. (We all know I love a butterfly theme.)
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News from the Menosphere
🔥 File this under “This would have been helpful to know sooner”: More than 50% of women experience peri/menopause symptoms in their 30s. A study published in the journal NJP Women’s Health said more than half of participants aged 30-35 had “moderate to severe” interruptions like hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, sleep issues, anxiety, and depressive mood. The number jumped to 64% for women 36-40.
🍷 Gwyneth Paltrow joins celebrities Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, and Brooke Shields in sharing her menopause experience. She explored the topic on the Goop podcast with influencer, entrepreneur, and menopause specialist Dr. Mary Claire Haver. The familiar (at least to me) nugget getting the most headlines? Alcohol made her symptoms worse. Not earth-shattering news, but can anyone else relate?
⏱️ Would you delay menopause? Scientists are exploring this question under the hypothesis that delaying menopause could have protective health benefits in the future. A study published in a 2024 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology predicts that surgically removing pieces of the ovary, freezing them, and then re-implanting the thawed tissue years later (a technique used today in cancer patients) could result in a significant delay in menopause. Researchers at Columbia are exploring whether or not an immunosuppressant drug used in organ transplants could delay ovarian aging and the negative health consequences of menopause. I’d love to know in the comments whether you would or wouldn’t delay menopause given the choice.
This Week’s Movement Snack
A study published in the European Heart Journal reported that participants across five different countries spent a whopping 10.4 hours per day sitting. In addition to all of the heart health risks that come from being sedentary, spending so much time at your desk can make you feel super achy in your back, neck, and shoulders. Here’s a quick sequence you can do mid-day to unwind all of that tension with one of my favorite poses — fallen triangle.
Cheers to looking and feeling your best,
Susan
Susan Campbell
Founder + CEO, Phosis
I woud love to see your jewelry box! Ad stringing pearls is a rare art form...how cool. And...I think I would like a Pause present...we need to get the word out...let's call Gweneth!
Love the idea of a 'pause present! Will definitely be sharing that with the people in my life!