1. Stopped caring what other people think
This is definitely one of the best things about getting older. I can’t really explain why but definitely the older you get the less you care what other people think. If I think back to my 20’s the things I used to worry about seem crazy. This one only gets better as time goes on and its definitely related to getting happier from your 50’s onwards.
2. I’ve learned to look atter myself better and put myself first
This is something menopause definitely forced me to do. Midlife women have so much going on – careers, teenagers, ageing parents, houses, dogs, partners – all at a time when perimenopausal symptoms hit you and it can be a really tough combination. With all our responsibilities so many of us feel overwhelmed and struggling to cope – I know I did. Learning put yourself first now and then isn’t selfish in perimenopause, it’s essential. Taking time out to switch off and relax without feeling guilty and learning to say no to things have really helped me.
3. On top of my menopause symptoms
Now I’m in my early 50’s I finally feel like my menopause symptoms are finally under control. Perimenopause can be a real rollercoaster, and it can also go on for a very long time. I’m pretty sure I was in perimenopause from my mid-40s, but it took me a few years to connect the dots and realise what was going on. For me the worst symptoms were horrific migraines, anxiety, mood swings and brain fog.
It’s probably taken the last couple of years to get on top of my symptoms but now I honestly feel better than ever. For me it hasn’t been one standout thing that relieved all my symptoms but more a holistic approach that works for me. HRT, changing my diet, exercise, drinking less alcohol and taking time out for myself without feeling guilty are the key things that have helped. There is so much negativity associated with menopause, but it can be an opportunity to reevaluate things, understand what does and doesn’t work for you and make changes.
4. Discovered strength training
I started strength training in my late 40’s and it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done. I started with the dreaded midlife weight gain around 48 and nothing I did could shift it plus the cardio exercise I had always loved had stopped making me feel great and started to make me feel exhausted and burnt out. I now know that it isn’t what we need in midlife. Our bodies are going through a lot and lots of cardio and dieting really isn’t the best thing for us – it puts too much stress on our system. We should prioritise strength training to maintain muscle mass, strengthen our bones and make sure we can do everything we want to do later in life. So, I started lifting weights – squats, deadlifts, bench press and no one was more surprised than me by how much I love it. I lost fat but got much more out of it that I was expecting. My mood improved, my sleep improved, I could focus more. Plus focusing on getting stronger is a lot more positive than tying to make yourself smaller all the time. And it won’t make women bulky that’s a myth – quite the opposite. An added bonus is that it also gives me something else to talk to my teenagers about as they are all massively into it too!
5. One of my teens can now drive
This is huge – my eldest can now drive and he’s also nearly an adult – how did that happen?! I used to feel sad about my kids getting older, but the driving thing has made me realise it actually has some real benefits. After years of driving him around most weekends for sport/ parties/ because he’d missed a train/to see his girlfriend now not only can he now drive himself around, but he can give me lifts places too. Saving me time and taxi fares – result!
