From People-Pleasing to Inner Peace: The Menopause Shift.
I used to worry a lot—literally about everything. My body, my looks, what others thought of me. Every wrinkle, every extra pound, every moment of self-doubt felt like a battle I had to fight. Society teaches women that we should always strive for perfection, always be pleasant, always put ourselves last. And for a long time, I played by those rules.
I used to struggle to say no, and I was constantly pleasing people. I would hold back my own opinions just to be accepted or to avoid being questioned, as confrontation had always been a struggle. I would not complain about anything and would try to forgive anybody just to make people happy.
I was incredibly hard on myself, not just with words but with actions. I pushed my body to its limits with excessive workouts, jumped from one restrictive diet to another, and constantly fed myself negative self-talk. I was trapped in a cycle of self-punishment, always chasing an unattainable ideal instead of embracing myself with kindness and respect.
But then menopause came—and with it, a shake-up that changed everything.
At first, it was unsettling. I did not know what was going on, even though I knew something had changed. The hot flushes, the mood swings, the changes in my body that I couldn’t control. One night, I even ended up at the hospital in the emergency room, thinking I was having a heart attack.
But somewhere along the way, something beautiful happened: I stopped caring about the things that once consumed me. I started to slow down and see the world around me differently. It’s difficult to explain, but something started growing inside me. Menopause has a way of stripping away the unnecessary and leaving you face-to-face with what truly matters.
I began to immerse myself more deeply in my yoga practice, and through it, I cultivated a beautiful, nurturing relationship with my body. Yoga became more than just movement; it became a conversation between my mind, body, and soul. With each stretch, each breath, I started to unravel layers of understanding about myself—not just physically but on a much deeper, spiritual level.
I learned to truly listen to my body’s needs instead of pushing it to exhaustion. I became more attuned to its rhythms, its strengths, and even its limitations, appreciating it in a way I never had before. More importantly, I started to connect with my inner voice—the quiet but powerful wisdom that had always been there, waiting for me to listen. Through stillness and mindfulness, I found clarity, self-acceptance, and a newfound sense of peace that now guides me every day.
I no longer stress over my appearance the way I once did. I’ve embraced my body for the incredible, resilient force that it is. It carries me, moves me, and lets me experience life—why should I punish it for changing? I’ve found comfort in saying no without guilt and in putting myself first without apology.
I have discovered the quiet joy of my own company—the pleasure of solitude, where I can truly listen to myself, recharge, and be present. No longer feeling the need to say yes to every invitation, I now choose what aligns with my energy and well-being. In this newfound space, I’ve realised that solitude isn’t loneliness; it’s a sanctuary where I nurture my soul, embrace stillness, and find the deepest connection of all—the one with myself.
Self-care is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Rest, nourishing food, time alone, and time in nature have become my priorities. I have discovered the peace that comes with stepping away from toxic expectations and leaning into what truly feeds my soul. There is something so liberating about shedding the pressure to be everything for everyone and simply being myself.
So, to every woman standing at the edge of this transition, wondering what comes next, let me tell you: freedom comes next. Peace comes next. The joy of not giving a damn about things that don’t serve you comes next.
Stop sweating the small stuff. Stop measuring yourself by impossible standards. Start embracing yourself—your needs, your desires. Because the moment you stop caring about the little things, you start truly living for the big ones.
“The moment you stop seeking approval and start living for yourself is the moment you step into true freedom. Let go, say no, and own your power—because you were never meant to shrink for anyone.”
And if your are in that moment in life where you dare to transform your dreams in reality and if you need a bit of light in this path, my beautiful Sviatlana from Unayoga Studio has drafted a unique business plan for your yoga business. Do not miss this post: