As women, we often glide into menopause almost silently, stepping into a significant life transition that still, even now, can feel like a whispered conversation. More celebrities have started to speak out about their experiences and the challenges that come with this stage of life, but for many of us, it still feels like we’re navigating the changes in our bodies alone.
So let’s talk about it.
There are three key stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
Perimenopause can start as early as your thirties, but is most common in your early forties. It brings its own set of changes—irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, headaches, dizziness, bladder issues, weight gain, and joint or muscle pain.
For me, the first sign was an overwhelming tiredness. Not just a bit worn out—but a bone-deep exhaustion I couldn’t explain. As I moved into menopause, other symptoms crept in too: sleepless nights, low moods, anxiety, and a fog that made it hard to concentrate or remember things.
And yet, through all of that, I began to notice something important.
What I ate, how I moved, and how I rested significantly impacted how I felt.
Sleep was one of my biggest challenges. My mind wouldn’t switch off—it ran in endless loops at night. But my thoughts would settle if I’d moved enough during the day, physically worn myself out even a little, and then listened to a sleep story at night. Listening helped me stop thinking. That alone changed my sleep.
I started carving out quiet moments in my day, just five or ten minutes to sit with a cup of tea and watch the birds outside. I also became intentional about planning. I’d make a to-do list early in the morning—before the fog descended—when my mind felt clear and grounded. I set regular sleep and wake times to support my circadian rhythm, kept my phone out of the bedroom, and resisted the urge to scroll until at least an hour after waking up.
They seem like small things. But together, these shifts had a big impact.
I began to feel more in control. More me.
Once I started managing those physical changes, something else shifted, too—I felt emotionally steadier, more balanced, and ready to tune into the parts that still weren’t working and gently, patiently adjust.
But perhaps the most powerful change of all was this:
I began to talk.
I shared how I was feeling with friends and family. I explained what was happening in my body and mind. Instead of judgment, I found connection. We began to open up to each other, to talk honestly, to share what was helping us and what we were struggling with.
It reminded me that we are never truly alone in this.
Menopause doesn’t have to be isolating. In fact, it can be a time of rediscovery, connection, and even empowerment when we give ourselves permission to slow down, listen, and share.
If you’re in this season, please know:
You’re not on your own.
You’re not doing it wrong.
And you’re not the only one.
This journey looks different for all of us, but the power in sharing is universal.