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Maura (48): “Menopause became a turning point in my life”
Reading time: approx. 5 minutes
Last updated on:
I had spent years pushing through. Now I had to learn to stop sooner.
Contents
Maura (48) is married and runs her own hospitality business. She is someone who naturally focuses on what can be done. Not because life is always straightforward, but because that mindset has often served her well. Still, she never imagined how much she would need it during this stage of her life.
Initially, she began experiencing poor sleep and felt more tired during the day. But as an entrepreneur, you’re almost always “on.” A day off? Sometimes Maura couldn’t even recall what that felt like. So, menopause didn’t immediately cross her mind—until her body started sending increasingly clear signals.
Poor sleep, hot flushes, and dwindling energy
At first, Maura dismissed her symptoms. Poor sleep, daytime fatigue, and low energy—she assumed it was just a passing phase. “When you run your own business, you’re used to powering through, even seven days a week if necessary. There’s always something that needs doing.”
But it wasn’t just about feeling tired. She found herself awake in the middle of the night, experiencing hot flushes at the most inconvenient times, and noticing her energy levels steadily declining. “That took some getting used to. I didn’t always recognise myself in how little I could manage.”
There were moments when she thought, “Do I really have to endure this?” Yet, she realised she had two choices. She could focus on everything that no longer worked as it used to, or she could explore what this phase of life might be teaching her. That decision made all the difference.
Not pushing through, but listening more closely
At first, Maura tried to tackle her symptoms head-on. To feel less tired. To sleep better. To control the hot flushes. “I wanted to fix it, like I do with so many things.” But the harder she tried, the more it drained her energy.
Then she asked herself a different question. What if her body wasn’t being difficult but was trying to tell her something?
From that moment, things began to shift. Fatigue was no longer something to eliminate as quickly as possible. It became a signal. This helped her to gradually recognise her limits more clearly. And instead of constantly pushing past them, she decided to respect them.
Making room for rest
Maura started going to bed earlier. She allowed herself to rest without feeling guilty about it. It became acceptable to meet friends less often. She also worked on understanding and communicating her boundaries at work. “Taking a break while your mind is still telling you there’s so much to do—that was really hard for me.”
The most challenging part was delegating tasks in her business. She hired a manager to take some of the workload off her shoulders. “A few years ago, this idea wouldn’t even have occurred to me. But I felt in every way: I need to do this for my health.”
It felt unfamiliar. At the same time, it felt right. And what happened? She earned respect for it. People expressed their admiration for the choices she was making. That support helped, especially during moments of doubt.
Letting go of the shame around her symptoms
The hot flushes haven’t disappeared. The nights are still sometimes restless. But Maura approaches it differently now. “I’m no longer ashamed of it. Sometimes I just say, ‘It’s a hot flush, it’ll pass in a moment.’”
This took away some of the emotional weight. She noticed that the less she resisted, the lighter it felt. The same applied to her emotions. Sometimes she felt more sensitive. Sometimes more irritable. Where she might have suppressed those feelings in the past, she now tries to approach them with curiosity.
I tried to recognise my emotions. Where are they coming from? What exactly am I feeling? And what do I need?
From pushing through to making conscious choices
For Maura, menopause didn’t become an adversary. It became a turning point. She realised how long she had been pushing herself. How often she was “on.” How little space there had been to truly reflect on what she needed.
Of course, there are still days when she’s had enough. Nights when she lies awake thinking, “Does this really have to happen?” Days when her energy is nowhere to be found. But even then, she notices that her mindset makes a difference.
“I don’t have to fight it. I can also ask myself: What do I need today?”
Sometimes it’s rest. Sometimes it’s movement. Sometimes it’s doing nothing at all. That space feels new to Maura. She’s less focused on others’ expectations and more on what feels right for her.
My positive attitude helps me. Not because I sugar-coat everything, but because I choose where to direct my attention.
How is Maura doing now?
The symptoms haven’t disappeared. That’s the reality. But they no longer define how Maura experiences this phase. She has reorganised her life and listens more closely to her body. “If I had to sum it up, this phase has brought me more peace, more self-awareness, and more space.”
Many women experience symptoms during menopause, such as hot flushes, poor sleep, fatigue, or mood swings. These can significantly impact daily life. Small adjustments in rest, exercise, nutrition, and recovery can help, but don’t struggle with symptoms alone for too long. Discuss them with your doctor or a menopause specialist if they are affecting your life.
Perhaps you recognise some of the symptoms in this story. Are you wondering if you might be going through menopause? The menopause test can help you gain more insight.
