Your Second Spring: A fresh take on the challenge of Menopause

Recently, I was on a shopping trip and found myself in a changing room under one of those unforgiving mirrors (you know, the ones that show you from every angle). I caught sight of myself and suddenly felt deflated.

There it was — the reminder that my body is changing. I silently vowed never to be seen undressed again — not too hard, really, since during this stage, our libidos like to take an extended holiday, too!

Hands up if you can relate?

Welcome to the perimenopause.

It amazes me that our mothers and grandmothers went through this stage often without even knowing what it was. My nan, bless her, was once admitted to a mental health ward — and looking back, I can only imagine how many women suffered in silence. No wonder menopause has long been wrapped in dread!

Let’s be honest — the list of symptoms isn’t exactly glamorous, right? Hot flushes, joint aches, weight gain, rubbish sleep, dryness, mood swings, sagging skin, grey hair… (although at least that last one’s trendy now, thank goodness!). The others just aren’t trending on Instagram, are they? Together, they can feel like a snowball rolling downhill — fast.

Of course, not every symptom should be automatically put down to perimenopause — and you might find yourself number 31 in the queue for a GP appointment, but it’s still worth checking, to be on the safe side.

But here’s the good news: this isn’t the end. In fact, we’re the only mammal known to live long beyond our childbearing years — which means we’ve got to be built for more, right?

And that’s where Chinese Medicine has given me a whole new lens on this chapter of life.

☯️ A New Way to See Menopause

When I was younger, that yin–yang symbol on my rave top looked cool and mysterious — not that I had a clue what it meant!

Now I get it: yin and yang are the two opposing forces that keep everything in nature (and us) balanced. Think day and night, sun and moon, rest and activity — both needed, neither better than the other.

Yin is the cooling, nourishing, grounding side — everything that replenishes us. Yang is the warming, active, energising side — the spark that keeps us moving.

When they flow smoothly, we feel well. But when stress, emotions, poor diet, overwork, lack of activity or rest, or hormonal shifts throw that balance off, pesky symptoms appear.

During menopause, our yin — the body’s cooling, moistening energy (think oestrogen) — naturally declines. That leaves more yang heat, which shows up as those sudden tropical moments we call hot flushes, or sometimes makes us feel restless, doing 300 things at once and achieving very little! Can you relate?!

At the same time, our yang can also get a bit worn out over time — double trouble! When that happens, it can leave us low on energy, even while we’re still managing to keep everything else together.

And this, my friends, is where our inner Beyoncé starts to wave goodbye. Oestrogen — that glorious hormone that gives us our confident “run the world” energy — begins to ebb. She’s the one who made us feel sassy and strong, and the dread sets in.

Don’t fear — she hasn’t gone forever. In Chinese Medicine, these changes aren’t signs of malfunction — they’re temporary signs that the body is rebalancing. Ok, I will take that, thanks.

🌿 Finding Calm Amidst the Chaos

Here’s the magic part: when we calm our bodies’ nervous system, we help the body find the equilibrium between yin and yang again. You don’t have to meditate for hours — just spend more time in your “rest and digest” state instead of living in “fight or flight.”

And yes, sometimes “rage mode” may feel like the only one available, but that calm part of you is still there.

Remember: over-exercising, overworking, and under-resting all deplete yin further. So if you’ve been pushing yourself harder but not feeling better or shifting weight, your body might be saying, “Please stop — I need something gentler right now.”

Reframe movement as a way to nourish and strengthen, not punish. Think walking, yoga, qigong, or Pilates.

And if you want a deeper reset, acupuncture can be transformative. Those tiny needles help the brain relax and energy to flow, nudging the body back into a restorative state that supports better sleep, joint aches, mood, digestion, and fewer hot flushes.

🌸 Your Second Spring

One of my favourite Chinese Medicine concepts is that our uterus is referred to as “the palace.”

How fabulous is that? Honestly, I can’t get over it. Though fair warning: your kids might already act like little princes and princesses, so you might have to remind them it’s your palace!

During menopause, when ‘the palace’ no longer needs energy for menstruation or reproduction, that energy becomes internally available again — redirected inward to fuel wisdom, creativity, and purpose.

This is what Chinese Medicine calls our “Second Spring.” It’s a time to bloom again — in a new, wiser, more grounded way. A time for yourself: explore what makes you happy, try new things, and set your boundaries.

So, if you catch yourself in the mirror and feel that familiar pang, remember: this is a transition, not a decline. You’re evolving — not fading. Each line, each change, tells a story of resilience and growth.

You won’t feel sexy by comparing yourself to who you once were. Instead, embrace the new, evolving, experienced you.

And as for that inner Beyoncé — she hasn’t left the stage. She’s simply changed her setlist. There’s still glitter and choreography — just with more grace, confidence, and world wisdom.

Honour the journey, ladies — and let’s step confidently and fabulously into this next chapter of womanhood.

OCTOBER - Menopause Awareness Month.

If you would like to find out more about working with me through this transition, please call me or book a free discovery call.