The Menopause Series – Part 3
Sharing my menopause journey with you over the past few articles has been such a joy.
I truly hope that something in it has resonated with you, whether a practical tool that made a difference or simply a new way of looking at what can feel like a very overwhelming time.
In my last piece, I talked about Reiki and the wonderful benefits it brings when we’re going through menopause. But I also touched on something deeper, a shift in perspective. A seed, if you like. One that can completely change how we experience this phase of life.
I talked about menopause being a rite of passage, a portal that invites us into our age of wisdom and freedom. A time when we start listening more to our intuition, when we stop apologising for who we are, and start stepping into the version of ourselves that has been quietly waiting all along. It’s not always easy, but if we allow it, this journey can lead us into our divine feminine power, one step at a time.
And this is the journey I want to talk to you about today.
Because perimenopause and menopause ask us, quite forcefully, to pause. To check in. To reassess how we’re living, and how we might need to change so we can move into this next, beautiful chapter with more ease and empowerment.
As strange as it may sound, the joy really is in the journey, not the destination. And for me, there are two things that make all the difference, no matter what other tools or treatments you try:
They are: embracing the path of acceptance & being fully present.
Sometimes they’re two sides of the same coin. Other times, they ask us for different kinds of courage.
But without them, I’ve found that relief is fleeting. You can end up wishing your life away, waiting to “feel like yourself again.” So let’s talk about what these two things actually mean, and how they can gently shift your experience of menopause.
1. What Is the Path of Acceptance?
Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up or just putting up with things. It means actively choosing to meet life as it is, without fighting it or judging it.
It’s not about throwing your hands up. It’s about letting go of the inner resistance, the tight grip of expectations and “shoulds,” and instead choosing to be with yourself exactly where you are.
So what does that look like in practice?
Acknowledging Reality
Even if it’s uncomfortable, acceptance starts with recognising what’s actually happening right now.
Letting Go Of Resistance
That mental tug-of-war where we wish things were different? It’s exhausting. Letting it go creates space.
Embracing Imperfection
Life’s messy. Bodies change. Emotions rise and fall. And that’s okay. That’s being human.
Offering Yourself Compassion
This one’s big. Talk to yourself like you would a close friend. Gently. Kindly. Especially on the tough days.
Knowing This Isn’t Giving Up
Acceptance takes strength. It’s about facing things as they are, not as we hoped they’d be.
Creating Peace
When we stop resisting, we often find ease, even if the situation hasn’t changed.
Allowing For growth
Acceptance doesn’t mean you’re stuck. In fact, it’s often the first step toward real transformation.
And here’s how it’s shown up for me, personally:
Accepting My Emotions
Instead of pushing down the overwhelm or pretending I’m fine, I try to give myself space to just feel. Emotions are messengers. They pass more easily when we let them in.
Accepting What I Can’t Control
Some days, things feel out of my hands. And that’s the truth. So I shift focus to what I can do. That small change in perspective has been life-changing.
Accepting My Past Mistakes
We all carry stories we wish had gone differently. But the past is done. I’ve learned that forgiving myself opens the door to peace.
Accepting Other People
We can’t control how others act, but we can choose how we respond. That’s where our power is. And it’s incredibly freeing.
Accepting My Limitations
I’m learning to meet my changing energy levels and needs with softness instead of frustration. There’s a real strength in saying, “This is where I’m at today, and that’s okay.”
2. What Does It Mean to Be Fully Present?
Being present is about showing up – here, now – in whatever moment you’re in. It’s not about having a totally still mind or meditating on a mountaintop (although if that’s your thing, go for it!).
It’s about not getting lost in thoughts of the past or worries about the future, and instead just… being here.
What does that actually look like?
Focusing On One Thing At A Time
When I was deep in the hot flash phase, I found that the more I fought them, the worse they got. So I started to lean in. I’d feel the heat rise, the sweat gather, and I’d just… breathe. Slowly. Deeply. And it helped. It truly helped.
Practising Mindfulness
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. For me, sometimes it’s just taking a few conscious breaths when I feel the brain fog creeping in. That alone can shift me from feeling overwhelmed to feeling grounded again.
Tuning Into The Senses
Notice the taste of your tea, the sound of birds outside, the texture of your jumper. These little sensory anchors keep us rooted in the moment, and connected to ourselves.
Accepting The Moment As It Is
Whether it’s a wave of anxiety or a burst of joy, being present means letting it be. No need to fix or analyse, just be with it.
Showing Up In Relationships
Being present also means really listening when someone’s talking, not just hearing the words, but tuning into the heart behind them. And on days when concentration is hard, being honest about that. Learning to say, “I need a moment,” or “Can we come back to this?” has been a game-changer at work and in my relationships. It’s not weakness, it’s self-awareness.
In Conclusion…
I hope this piece has gently encouraged you to look at acceptance and presence not as abstract ideas, but as practical, powerful tools for your menopause journey.
Because wishing menopause away won’t make it go faster, but embracing it can make it so much more meaningful.
Try different things – absolutely.
I experimented with everything from supplements to yoga to cold showers before I found what worked for me. But what truly shifted things was this:
I stopped trying to escape it. I let myself feel. I learned to sit with what was happening, rather than trying to fast-forward through it. I stopped chasing the version of me I used to be, and started getting curious about the woman I was becoming.
And with that came a sense of peace. Of possibility. I felt inspired again. I started having honest conversations with other women. We lifted each other up. We laughed, cried, shared tips and stories. We grew.
Is my journey complete?
Not even close.
I’m still discovering who I am on this side of things. But I like her. She’s softer, more open, more honest. She may not be as physically flexible, but she’s emotionally stronger. And she’s done hiding the parts of herself she used to feel ashamed of.
This is the final part of my Menopause Series, because I believe this message, about accepting and embracing this change, is the heart of it all. Not just surviving menopause, but letting it transform you.
If this resonates, if you’d like to talk or just need someone to walk alongside you for a bit, please feel free to reach out.
Main – Photo by Pixabay
