How to rediscover yourself during menopause
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Questions about our place and our purpose in life often arise alongside physical symptoms of menopause (such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, fatigue, mood imbalance, and sexual disfunction) and can indicate required changes for a healthy journey ahead.
This time in a woman’s life can be a catalyst for growth – inspiring her to rediscover who she is, who she wants to be, and what she wants to do in life going forward.
Menopause is an opportunity to transition into the life you truly desire – once you give yourself the attention you deserve.
For many women, life leading up to menopause is busy. It’s often filled with having children, raising a family, having a career, caring for aging parents, supporting the community and/or organisations, and your regular daily responsibilities. Each of these responsibilities alone is enough to make most women long for calm and relaxation.
However, menopause is a time in which you can choose to pause and take stock of where you’re at in life, who you love, and what you really want, encouraging a rediscovery of your authentic self and implementing change to live accordingly.
What could rediscovery look like?
Each woman experiences this change differently, but starting with self-awareness may be key.
Consider these important questions that can lead to personal insight:
- Who am I right now?
- Who do I want to become?
- What’s important to me?
- Who do I love and want to spend more time with?
- What do I love doing and would like to do more of?
- How am I making a difference?
- What brings me joy?
- Are there signals my body is giving me of areas that need attention?
- What do I need to change?
- How can I best take care of myself?
One answer to many of these questions is by practicing self-care during menopause. This attention on the self can include:
- following a healthier diet
- spending more time with family
- decreasing non-essential obligations
- seeking support for past trauma and/or stress
- creating a relaxing sleep routine
- practicing a new sport
- reading, writing, or expressing oneself artistically
- learning a new language
- traveling
- growing a garden
This transition into the next stage of life may also include tough decisions such as a career change and/or retirement, relationship changes, and geographical moves.
And you know what? That’s okay.
Making decisions for overall wellbeing and happiness isn’t always easy, but it can result in healthy growth, exploration, and transition into the person you desire to be.
Menopause is a season of life during which women can blossom into their authentic selves. Beyond strictly physical changes, it inspires mental and spiritual growth. And self-discovery, self-awareness, and self-care are key to making it happen.