Menopause: The Next Chapter, Not the End - A New Radiant Perspective

What if we could view menopause as an opportunity? For far too long, women have met this stage of life with dread, confusion, and silence.

We think of endings. The end of fertility. The end of youth. The end of visibility and relevance.

You may feel as though your body has betrayed you or that menopause has been a source of trauma in and of itself. But what if this chapter in your life is the most potent time to drop what doesn't work for you and start living the best version of yourself?

The brain undergoes significant changes during this transformative stage of life. Increased sensations might feel frightening, as past pain is likely to resurface from repressed emotions. But what if we turned all those endings around and reclaimed menopause as a passionate rite of passage leading to a powerful new phase of life?

Your body is asking you to pay attention and to start building a solid foundation for the years to come, because menopause is not a slow death. Far from it!

Like any transition, it can carry loss, but it can also bring incredible possibilities and inner wisdom.

AtThe Place Retreats, we view menopause not as a biological marker but as an awakening, a rite of passage leading to a powerful new phase of life. We are here to help you hold space, tend to what hurts, and confidently step into the next phase of life with clarity and strength.

When Hormones Feel Like Little Earthquakes

Chances are, you know someone right now who is experiencing less-than-desirable hormonal symptoms of menopause.

The woman in the boardroom who feels completely overwhelmed and irrationally irritable but quietly holds it all together until she can safely burst into tears on the drive home.

Or the one tossing and turning in sweat-soaked sheets at night, and experiencing emotional roller coaster rides during the day.

No matter the symptoms or severity, when hormones shift, so does our sense of self, and we can end up feeling drained and overwhelmed.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 80% of women experience symptoms during menopause—from hot flashes and mood swings to weight gain and rage. And behind that number are millions of women feeling terribly lost and out of sync with who they used to be.

The hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause (12 consecutive months without menstruation) happen over multiple years, in general, between 45 and 55. However, feeling disconnected from their body, purpose, and joy can linger on.

As if fluctuating hormones, mood swings, and insomnia weren’t bad enough, The Lancet reports that 20–25% of women will also experience major depression during this transition. Anxiety is common, too. None of this is imagined, and yet many women are completely ill-prepared for the shifting chemistry in the brain and body.

Sleep often collapses first. The Sleep Foundation estimates 40–60% of women struggle with disrupted nights during menopause, usually because of night sweats or restless energy. Combine exhaustion with anxiety, and you’ve got a little earthquake, making small worries feel heavier and ordinary days impossible to climb.

Still, knowing the cause doesn’t alleviate the mental or emotional weight, which is why compassion and education are crucial. Not because women are “broken,” but because they are navigating profound changes.

The Quiet Grief Beneath the Surface

Menopause carries an unspoken grief. According to the British Menopause Society, over half of women experience a profound sense of loss during this transition—mourning their former selves, the confidence that came with feeling sexually desirable, and the youth they fear is slipping away.

This grief is rarely dramatic or shared. It’s the sigh in the changing room mirror as they face a body they don’t recognize. The bittersweet moment when a period doesn’t arrive for a full 12 months—not because it’s wanted, but because its absence feels final.

Menopause also ripples outward—into workplaces, families, and societies. A recent report found that 1 in 10 women leave their jobs because of severe symptoms. That’s not just personal loss, but an economic and cultural one.

Yet behind the grief is a strange wisdom. It clears space. As Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, “The Wisdom of Menopause,” writes, menopause can be “a gateway into the most powerful and creative stage of a woman’s life.” Allowing space to feel what is lost makes it easier to see what is waiting: freedom, authenticity, and the possibility of living more fully on your own terms.

Body Image and Self-Perception

Declining estrogen reshapes the body in ways that are hard to ignore—skin thins, weight redistributes, hair changes, and libido shifts. However, none of these changes make you less; Nature's intelligence is inviting you to shift your focus and perspective. Yet, in our media-heavy culture, it is not addressed and can feel like erasure.

A UK survey by Generation Menopause found that 88% of menopausal women feel unseen by the media and advertising. That invisibility fuels deep shame, as though aging is something to hide.

AtThe Place Retreats, we help women reclaim confidence. Your body is not betraying you; it is evolving with you. Through somatic therapies, mindfulness, and compassionate dialogue, we empower women to view themselves without judgment, but with self-awareness and reverence.

Intimacy, Redefined

For many couples, menopause + the bedroom becomes the elephant in the room. Sexual desire shifts. Vaginal dryness or discomfort makes sex painful. The Cleveland Clinic notes that 40–50% of women experience painful intercourse during this stage.

If unspoken, this shift can erode closeness. However, if couples are willing to talk and explore, something entirely new is possible, as open communication often leads to a greater depth of safety, connection, and intimacy.

Reclaiming Your Identity

Beyond the symptoms, menopause asks a deeper question: Who am I now?

Dr. Louann Brizendine, author of “The Female Brain”, says, “Far from the end, menopause can be the beginning of a new brain state—one with clearer priorities, less social anxiety, and the freedom to invest energy in what matters most.”

For many women, this is the heart of the transition. The chance to set new boundaries, rediscover passions, and release roles that no longer fit. In therapy, this can mean working through old traumas with a fresh perspective. In daily life, it can mean saying no without guilt or saying yes to things that have been long postponed.

If youth is often about proving, menopause can be about choosing.

Supporting the Body, Nurturing the Mind

Food, movement, and medicine all play a role here. The British Dietetic Association recommends diets rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phytoestrogens (such as soy, flaxseed, and legumes) to support bone health and alleviate symptoms. Strength training builds muscle and strong bones to support you later in life. Yoga and breathwork restore calm.

For some women, natural means of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can make an enormous difference. The North American Menopause Society confirms that when started at the right time, HRT is effective for symptom management and may also lower risks of osteoporosis and heart disease. 

Many women find that decreasing alcohol alleviates many problematic symptoms. Combined with mindfulness, trauma-informed therapy, and holistic care, they form a foundation for healing and helping women feel at home in their bodies again.

How The Place Retreats Can Help

Today, thanks to organizations like the International Menopause Society (IMS), menopause awareness and education are finally gaining visibility worldwide. When cultures and companies normalise conversations about menopause, women are no longer forced into silence. They can remain visible, valuable, and fully engaged.

At The Place Retreats, we believe menopause is meant to be a time of visibility and radiance. A sacred time to reset, calm your nervous system, and reconnect to wisdom and vitality. If you’re ready to embrace your second spring, join us for a transformationalmenopause retreat in Bali.

Contact The Place Retreats to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation. Let us design a tailor-made retreat just for you. You don't have to do this alone.