Menopause Activist & Positivity Rebel, Lou Featherstone
Lou Featherstone, AKA Lu in Luland, is a 51-year-old mom on a mission to help people become their most confident selves. A recent divorcee, menopause activist, and positivity rebel, Lou wants to help women of all ages embrace themselves and rediscover their lost confidence by spreading the message of self-love far and wide.
Photography: Lou Featherstone
This past December you bought a vintage RV and began a Self-Love Tour around the US. Tell us a little bit about that experience.
As I answer this question, I’m sitting in the sunshine by a stunning lake just outside of the beautiful Nashville, Tennessee, with Susie: my pink and green leopard print 1983 Bluebird Wanderlodge bus (which I named after my darling mother) parked behind me. That statement alone almost answers the reason I purchased Susie: I wanted new experiences, to travel to new places, and be spontaneous; she definitely has enabled me to do that.
Up until June of this year, I’d been living in Portland, Oregon, with my teenage son and husband after we made the move over 8 years ago for my husband’s job. Then, during the pandemic, I decided to separate from my husband of nearly 20 years. That proved very difficult but we learned to create a brand new relationship built on friendship and parenting our son together.
Our son then graduated high school in June of this year, so it was time for me to return to the UK, but I wanted to leave the US with a bang!
So, with my growing online community in tow, I left Portland in late June. I plan to make my way across the states from Oregon to New York before Susie and I eventually make the trip back to the UK. My journey so far has been eventful, to say the least. I’ve been making some stops along the way, throwing events, meeting some fabulous women, and encouraging anyone and everyone I can to love themselves and be confident, no matter what age or phase of life they’re in.
That being said, this plan has not always gone smoothly. Many situations have gone wrong, and it’s been stressful, incredible, liberating, and exciting. I’ve accomplished what I never thought I could, learned new skills, brought women together, and ultimately used any opportunity to spread my message of confidence and self-love.
Now, with just over 1000 miles to go until I reach New York—my final state before I head back to the UK—I’ll continue spreading my message and inspiring people everywhere I go.
Photography: Lou Featherstone
Tell us about your Closet of Dreams; how did it start?
I’ve always been a terrible shopaholic obsessed with fast fashion and staying trendy. Then, one day, after buying a ridiculously expensive pair of shoes, I woke up and decided to stop shopping for an entire year. It was this year that changed my life. I found that, despite my worst fears, I already had everything I needed in my closet; I just needed to learn how to restyle what I already owned.
I then moved to Portland, Oregon, eight years ago and set up “Luinluland’s Vintage Shopping Tours of Portland,” where I would take visitors and locals on a tour of the best spots of the city for vintage clothing and encourage them to reimagine and experiment with their style.
By this point, I had a great collection of clothes. Quite honestly, it felt like a waste for those clothes to sit there, in my closet, unworn. So, with that—and the desire to add a more sustainable element to my business—I set up The Closet of Dreams, where I started renting out my glorious outfits to the public.
Parties, weddings, vacations, no matter the occasion, I helped people to look their best. I once even dressed a bride who eloped in New York.
I enjoyed seeing my clothes worn, and customers enjoyed the experience of coming to the closet, dressing up, and living out some kind of fashion fantasy (but at a fraction of the cost). It became a win-win!
Photography: Lou Featherstone
What is The Positivity Rebellion?
The positivity rebellion is a mindset! It’s about seeing the best in any situation, even when the tough times inevitably come.
I use social media on a daily basis to connect with my followers and other like-minded women. While on a personal level, I loathe its toxic positivity, I try my best to push past that and always keep my presence authentic. No one can be happy all the damn time!
I am also convinced that fighting to see the positive in even the darkest of days can keep us healthy, both physically and mentally; a huge part of this mindset is practicing gratitude. Spend a little time every day actively listing the things you’re thankful for. No matter how big or small, I promise it’ll have a profound effect on how you start to see your life and the world around you. Changing your mindset in tiny ways really can make a huge difference.
Sh*t happens to every single human on the planet. It’s all about how you respond and show up in rough times.
How has going through menopause shaped who you are today?
I can describe menopause as humbling.
Surrendering and embracing the changes that hit you midlife is certainly not easy. I’ve met thousands of women—either through my online community or in the real world—and have heard stories about how differently everyone can experience menopause.
It’s a forever-changing journey, but despite all the bad parts, I honestly feel f**king awesome and the strongest I’ve ever been in my life. With that, I’m determined to spread the message that there’s more to look forward to than there is to dread.
As a digital creator, I can see the demographics of my followers. The biggest age range that currently follows me is 33-44. Most communities have elders who share their lived experiences and wisdom. That is how I see myself: someone to bust the myths and inspire women to find their confidence in middle age.
Many women find the many changes difficult. However, I’ve learned not to fear the change, but to roll with it and embrace it.
We’re so often told by patriarchal society to fear aging. The reality is that it truly gives women the clarity and wisdom that they just didn’t have in their 20s. Also, another great perk of aging is that you give fewer f**ks—that also helps!
Do you have any advice you’d like to share with our readers on building self-confidence?
I have plenty of advice, but some of my top pointers would be:
Take nudes just for yourself!
Workout (or at least move) every day.
Dance in the kitchen at least once a week.
Practice gratitude intentionally. Start searching for joy.
Journal to keep track of your feelings and thoughts. It’s an amazing way to process your thoughts daily.
Unfollow toxic accounts on social media.
Forgive people who’ve hurt you. It’s freeing for your soul and allows YOU to move on.
Always wear outstanding sunglasses and a killer outfit (strangers might talk to you and tell you you look good. In return, always compliment a good outfit if you see one!
Yell “F**K IT” and take risks whenever you can.
Try new experiences and say yes to what scares you.
Even if it doesn’t go to plan, it’s called living! □
Photography: Lou Featherstone
Article Credits
Lou’s Instagram: @luinluland
Lou’s Website: www.luinluland.com
Photography: Lou Featherstone
