Menopause Resource Series – Post 5: The Emotional Side of Menopause
We often talk about the physical symptoms of menopause—hot flushes, night sweats, irregular periods. But what about the emotional side? The moments where you feel overwhelmed, irritable, anxious, or simply not yourself?
For many women, the emotional shifts of menopause can be just as challenging—if not more so—than the physical ones. And yet, they’re often dismissed or misunderstood.
Let’s talk about it honestly.
💭 Why You Might Be Feeling Off-Balance
Hormonal changes—especially fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone—can significantly impact the brain’s chemistry. These shifts can affect:
Mood regulation
Stress response
Motivation
Sleep (which then affects everything else)
Sense of self
You might feel more reactive, more sensitive, or like you’ve lost your usual confidence and spark. Some women describe it as feeling like a stranger in their own skin.
If this resonates with you, please know: you’re not broken. You’re in transition.
🌸 The Mental Load of Midlife
Menopause often arrives at a time in life when we’re juggling a lot—caring for ageing parents, supporting adult children, managing careers or relationships, and beginning to ask deeper questions about what we really want.
This emotional layering can leave us feeling exhausted, confused, or even lost. It’s no wonder many women say, “I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
🧡 Ways to Support Your Emotional Wellbeing
🧘♀️ Be Still and Listen
You don’t need to “fix” everything. Sometimes the most healing thing you can do is simply pause and ask yourself, “What do I need right now?”
📝 Journal What You’re Feeling
Writing helps bring clarity and calm. Let your thoughts spill onto the page—without judgement.
💬 Talk It Out
Whether it’s a friend, a counsellor, or a menopause-informed coach, speaking your truth out loud can lighten the load and reconnect you to your inner wisdom.
🌿 Gentle Nourishment & Movement
What supports the body, supports the mind. Keep it simple. Focus on kindness, not perfection.
🤍 Be Compassionate With Yourself
This is a big life shift. It’s okay if you need more rest, more solitude, or more support. Honour that.
🌱 You Are Still You—Just Evolving
This stage of life isn’t about disappearing—it’s about returning to yourself in a deeper, wiser way.
The emotional terrain of menopause invites you to slow down, let go of what no longer fits, and reconnect with your truth. It’s not always easy, but it can be deeply transformational.
In our next post, we’ll explore what support options are out there, from HRT to holistic and natural therapies, and how to decide what’s right for you.
With warmth and understanding,
Julie x
Certified Menopause Coach & Holistic Counsellor
Thrive Holistic Counselling
