Harmony and Menopause
How to Regain Your Life’s Spark
Harmony can feel like a distant dream when menopause turns your world upside down. Hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue can be overwhelming. As if that weren’t enough, you might feel other things slipping away—the fun, the excitement, the spark that makes life joyful.
Here’s where you can start, and it’s simpler than you think: The Circle of Life. Got five minutes? That’s all it takes to check in on your life satisfaction.
This tool breaks life into twelve areas, helping you see what’s working and what’s not. It’s your first step to reigniting your spark and restoring harmony. While menopause symptoms can be unpredictable, there are plenty of areas where you can take control.
Ready to get started?
The Circle of Life Exercise
Print a copy here so you can make notes if needed. You can also use the electronic version here from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Place your dot in each of the twelve sections.
Connect the dots, and you’ll see a clear picture of where you need to put a little more time and energy to feel more balanced and happier.
Take it a step further by revisiting each dot and asking yourself why you feel the way you do. If you’ve printed it, jot down your thoughts directly on the page for clarity.
When life feels overwhelming, return to your Circle and review the areas where you’re doing well. Focus on feeling grateful for those wins to help bring positivity back into your life.
What To Do with This Information
Below, you’ll find ideas and suggestions to help boost satisfaction in each of the twelve areas of your Circle, along with book recommendations.
If you’re looking for a book that covers all twelve areas, check out Integrative Nutrition: A Whole-Life Approach to Health and Happiness by Joshua Rosenthal, the Founder of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN).
1. Joy
Joy is an essential part of holistic wellness, representing deep inner peace that aligns with your personal values.
Menopause symptoms, negative self-talk, resistance to change, and limiting beliefs can all disrupt your sense of joy.
Comparing yourself to others can also make maintaining joy and emotional well-being hard. To nurture joy and harmony, focus on expressing gratitude, serving others, and surrounding yourself with uplifting, supportive people.
Try books Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Wayne Dyer and Comparisonitis: A Guide to Finding Happiness in a Social Media World by Melissa Ambrosini.
2. Spirituality
Spirituality is about focusing on the human spirit or soul rather than the material or physical aspects of life. People often connect with spirituality through a belief in something greater that guides them—whether it’s the Universe, God, or Guardian Angels.
The beautiful thing about spirituality is that there’s no wrong way to discover it. Mediation, journaling, and walks in nature are easy ways to connect with your definition of spirituality.
Consider The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle, which offers practical techniques for living in the present moment. Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams by Gabby Bernstein.
3. Creativity
Creativity isn’t just for artists or writers—it’s something we all have. We tap into our creativity daily as we explore options and ideas. This can be organizing a room, decorating a cake, gardening, or solving a problem. When you’re looking for harmony, check in with your creativity.
Despite the common belief that creativity is an inborn talent, it’s actually a skill. From painting and writing to playing music or cooking, all creative pursuits require practice to grow and thrive.
Check out The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield and Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. They are great books that help you get unstuck and start creating.
4. Finances
Finding satisfaction with your finances doesn’t mean you need to be wealthy. Instead, it’s about being responsible and living within your means.
Setting clear goals, paying bills on time, and regularly saving for the future can foster peace and financial stability.
It’s not uncommon for finances, especially retirement planning, to become a focus as we get older, and money management to become crucial.
Try books Women & Money by Suze Orman and Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money and Build Real Wealth by Bola Sokunbi. Bola offers a fantastic series on topics like growing your money and side hustles, which are both highly informative and completely free.
5. Career
Finding job satisfaction can be challenging for many people, and harmony often seems a distant dream.
While a job might provide financial stability, it can also be emotionally draining. Long hours, a stressful commute, or work that doesn’t align with your unique strengths and passions are the most common.
For many people in their 40s, the idea of starting a second career or side hustle may become appealing. As you navigate menopause, you can embark on a journey of liberation with a fresh perspective on your career.
Check out Sparked: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work that Makes You Come Alive by Jonathan Fields. He has a unique perspective on helping you figure out your inner strengths. A real motivator is Two Weeks Notice: Find the Courage to Quit Your Job, Make More Money, Work Where You Want, and Change the World by Amy Porterfield. In this book, she shares her well-known step-by-step process for leaving your job and starting your own business.
6. Education
After completing a four-year program, many students face a substantial tuition bill and a career path unrelated to their field. For those navigating menopause, this phase offers a unique chance to reassess priorities and consider new directions.
If you’re considering a career change or learning a new skill, affordable options are available that align with your interests. Online platforms and community colleges with trade programs provide excellent starting points for exploring new opportunities.
If you’re on the fence and unsure how to balance yet another thing on your plate, check out Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo.
7. Health
Maintaining well-being during menopause may involve managing weight, staying fit, addressing health concerns, or doing all three.
When your body is in harmony, your mind follows suit, promoting overall balance and well-being.
Open communication with your doctor is essential for addressing health concerns and staying proactive about your well-being. Staying up to date on health screenings helps you navigate this stage of life with greater confidence and peace of mind.
For the family, check out Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families: With Tips & Recipes for Bringing Health, Joy, & Connection to Your Dinner Table by Reshma Shah and Brenda Davis.
If you’re thinking about having a life without animal products, read The Proof Is in the Plants: How Science Shows a Plant-Based Diet Could Save Your Life (and the Planet) by Simon Hill.
If sleep is your challenge and you think it doesn’t matter, check out The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington.
8. Physical Activity
The benefits of physical activity during menopause are endless, helping you stay strong and healthy as your body changes.
Cardio exercises strengthen your heart and lungs, while strength training supports muscle and bone health.
Yoga and stretching improve balance and flexibility, which are especially important during menopause. Finding what works for you is a personal journey, as your preferences may change over time.
The good news is you don’t need to exercise for hours each day to see meaningful results. Start by incorporating cardio on most days, such as walking, and include two strength-training sessions each week.
A fun book to check out is Next Level: Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals Through Menopause and Beyond by Stacy Sims.
Don’t forget about online programs such as Paula B Fitness and Uplifted Yoga, both on YouTube.
9. Home Cooking
Home cooking has countless benefits, from giving you control over ingredients to encouraging healthier choices.
It’s also more budget-friendly than dining out. Beyond the nutritional perks, cooking can be therapeutic, offering a chance to practice mindfulness, relieve stress, and, you guessed it, harmony.
Ultimately, home cooking is a holistic approach to well-being, providing nourishment for the body and a rewarding, enjoyable experience for the soul.
Reading books like Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and The 30-Day Alzheimer’s Solution: The Definitive Food and Lifestyle Guide to Preventing Cognitive Decline by Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai will motivate you and give you great recipes.
10. Home Environment
Clutter-free spaces reduce stress and anxiety, helping to create a sense of control and calm in your environment.
Incorporating natural materials fosters harmony and connects you to the environment, making your space feel more balanced.
Adding plants improves indoor air quality and supports overall well-being in a simple and effective manner. You create a sanctuary that promotes harmony and emotional wellness by mindfully designing your space.
Invest in a high-quality HEPA filter unit. If you’re unsure where to start, check out Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.
11. Relationships
Every relationship in your life affects your well-being, influencing your health, finances, and even the meals on your table.
This includes relationships with parents, children, friends, and partners, all of which play a significant role.
Strong, supportive relationships uplift and inspire you, contributing to your emotional and mental well-being. Unhealthy connections, on the other hand, may drain your energy and hinder your personal growth. Focusing on meaningful, positive relationships helps create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
One of the most popular books is The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman, which digs deep into the core of our romantic relationships, and The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Miguel Ruiz.
Lastly, if you are looking for a book to improve your relationship with yourself, How Are You, Really?: Living Your Truth One Answer at a Time by Jenna Kutcher is a great one.
12. Social Life
Balancing family and career is a common challenge, often leaving little time for social connections.
Catching up with your tribe can feel almost impossible, leading to feelings of isolation. To combat this, make a conscious effort to reach out once a week or schedule a coffee date with someone you haven’t seen in a while.
These connections play a vital role in supporting the emotional well-being, balance, and harmony you crave.
A powerful book that helps you understand the importance of connection and how to cultivate them is A Tribe Called Bliss: Break Through Superficial Friendships, Create Real Connections, Reach Your Highest Potential by Lori Harder.
You Got This
Menopause may feel like an uphill battle, but it’s also an opportunity to take stock of your life and reconnect with the things that bring you joy and fulfillment. The Circle of Life is a simple yet powerful tool to guide you through this journey, helping you identify areas that need more attention and celebrate the parts of your life that are thriving.
By taking small, intentional steps toward balance and well-being—whether through creativity, physical activity, or meaningful relationships—you can rediscover your spark and create a life that truly aligns with who you are. Remember, this journey is yours to design, and even the smallest changes can lead to big transformations.
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*Health and wellness coaches engage in evidence-based, client-centered processes that facilitate and empower clients to develop and achieve self-determined, health and wellness goals. We do not diagnose, interpret medical data, prescribe or de-prescribe, recommend supplements, provide nutrition consultation or create meal plans, provide exercise prescription or instruction, consult and advise, or provide psychological therapeutic interventions or treatment.
