Light Over Darkness: Midlife Career Transitions in South Asian British Women
- pauseandempower
- Oct 27
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 30
It feels fitting to be writing this during Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights — a time when homes across South Asia and Britain glow with candles and colour, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair. So, I’m moving a little out of my own comfort zone here, shining my coaching torch into a space I’ve not personally lived but deeply admire: the midlife career transitions of South Asian British women navigating the crazy (and often chaotic) world of menopause and work.
Because, let’s be honest, midlife for any woman can feel like trying to dance through fog — but for South Asian women, there’s a whole extra layer of cultural expectation, identity juggling and unspoken taboos. Yet, amid the hot flushes, career crossroads and family roles, there’s also extraordinary resilience and reinvention — a light that deserves to be seen and celebrated.
This article explores that light: how South Asian British women are redefining midlife, menopause and career on their own terms — and what the rest of us can learn from their journey.
The triple lens: menopause, culture, career
Let’s start with what often feels like the elephant in the room: the hormonal, bodily, identity-shifting moment of menopause. Research highlights that for South Asian women the experience is layered. A blog on the website of Care2Counsel notes that South Asian women often encounter menopause with little cultural language or support around it: “the menopause blind spot: why are South Asian women left out?” is the very phrase used. (care2counsel.com) The article states that emotional and identity shifts are common, tied to cultural expectations, intergenerational trauma and the role changes that accompany later mid-life.
At the same time, research published in the open-access journal under PubMed Central found that mid-life transition experiences for South Asian immigrant women include early onset of menopause and increased psychosocial symptoms (anxiety, depression, reduced memory / concentration) alongside physical symptoms like musculoskeletal issues. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Now: layer in career. Many British-South Asian women reached mid-career stages, possibly in roles shaped by the cultural legacy of “steady job, secure income, stable family.” And then, perhaps felt the stir: “what next?” The trend of women choosing second careers in mid-life is very real: in an article for SheerLuxe, several women shared how they retrained, re-imagined their work and found fresh purpose. (https://sheerluxe.com/life/careers/why-these-women-chose-a-second-career-in-midlife)
So, we stand at the intersection of three currents: bodily and identity change (menopause), cultural identity and roles (as South Asian/British), and career transition. The dark may loom. But the light — the opportunity — is brilliant.
Why this matters: more than just a job change
When we talk about “career mid-life transitions”, it’s not simply quitting one role and starting another. It's an identity re-charting. For South Asian British women, this may include moving away from cultural expectations (“you should remain in the stable job”, “your children still need you”, “your family expects X”) and stepping into something new.
The SheerLuxe article highlights women who re-trained in their 40s or 50s: one woman left advertising to retrain and found her heart was in helping people rather than chasing campaigns.
And research shows the work environment matters when menopausal transition coincides with career change: a UK study found that while menopausal status itself wasn’t significantly associated with job performance or absence, work stress and environment (demand, control, support) were strongly linked to intentions to leave the workforce. (womensmidlifehealthjournal.biomedcentral.com)
For South Asian British women, then, career transition in mid-life offers a double win: to address the identity shake-up of menopause, and to reclaim or reshape a career in line with changing values, refreshed purpose and perhaps new freedoms.
Earlier onset of Menopause for South Asian Women
Many South Asian women often reach menopause earlier than their Western peers, approximately 5 years earlier. The average age for Indian women is around 46.7, and 47.16 for Pakistani women. And on top of navigating all the usual life pressures, they’re also more likely to report those uncomfortable genitourinary symptoms (GSM) that no one ever warns you about — dryness, pain, and a whole host of “why did nobody tell me this?” surprises. (https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/menopause-in-ethnic-communities)
Challenges unique to South Asian British mid-life women
Cultural invisibility: As the Care2Counsel article notes, South Asian women often face taboos around menopause; many don’t even have the word in everyday conversation. That silence doesn’t just impact health and wellbeing – it creates a fog around identity, self-perception, even career choices.
Earlier onset and more symptoms: As research found, South Asian immigrant women tended to experience earlier menopause and psychosocial symptoms in higher proportion. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) This can mean you’re navigating body, energy, and identity shifts while still working – and possibly still supporting others.
Inter-generational and community expectations: Many South Asian British women carry multiple roles — daughter, mother, employee, carer. The idea of “changing career now” may feel selfish or risky.
Career inertia meets mid-life awakening: If you’ve spent decades staying in a role for stability or family, the thought of retraining or shifting can feel terrifying. The myth of “starting from scratch” is real (and documented in Indian mid-life career studies).
The light: strategies for a bright mid-life shift
Re-frame the narrative: This isn’t a “second career” because your first was a mistake. It’s a “next chapter” because you’ve grown, your priorities shifted, your body changed and so did your values. As one of the SheerLuxe women puts it: the sum of her experience prepared her to help others. (sheerluxe.com)
Lean into your dual identity: Being South Asian and British gives you unique cultural insight, language, experience of bridging worlds. That can become your super-power in teaching, coaching, mentoring, entrepreneurship or whatever path you choose.
Address the bodily / emotional shifts: Recognise that the mid-life body-identity transition is real. Acknowledge symptoms, seek support, build resilience. This means looking after your health, sleep, stress, and perhaps engaging with career coaches who understand mid-life and menopause.
Design your own architecture of work: Maybe, full-time hours no longer fit. Maybe you want part-time consulting, portfolio work, or more flexibility in your current role. The SheerLuxe article shows women doing precisely that. (sheerluxe.com)
Tie your career to purpose: Many women in mid-life shift because they want “more than just the job”. For South Asian British women, purpose might include giving back to their community, mentoring younger women, bridging generational gaps, using bilingual/cultural skills.
Build your support squad: Connect with networks (women in business, inspirational work groups, cultural networks). Because shifting career mid-life + handling menopause + navigating cultural expectations = a heavy trio. Having peers who can support makes ALL the difference.
Spotlight: what success looks like
Picture a South Asian British woman in her early 50s. She’s been in a steady corporate role for two decades. The last few years, menopause has arrived, energy is fluctuating, and she’s noticing a gap between her work and her purpose. She dreams of something more fulfilling, but doesn’t know how to start.
This is where coaching comes in. Together, we explore her strengths, passions, and priorities. We map potential paths, plan actionable steps, and work through fears and cultural expectations. Within months, she begins transitioning into a new career that aligns with her values, feels energising, and makes the most of her unique experience. The light of possibility is unmistakable — and she didn’t have to navigate it alone.
Final word
Mid-life for South Asian British women doesn’t have to mean fading into the background. It can mean stepping into the foreground. The body shifts, identity alters, and career may pivot — but all this is the threshold of brilliance. The darkness of doubt — “am I too old?”, “can I really change?” — can be illuminated with clarity, planning, and support.
If you’re reading this and thinking “this is me”, lean in. Pause. Empower. Let me guide you in turning midlife uncertainty into your brightest chapter yet. Because the light isn’t just for Diwali — it’s for your life, your career, your future.
I offer a 30 minute free consultation to see if you are right for coaching and I'm right for you!
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