Midlife, Menopause and the Magic of a Career Reboot

Once upon a hot flush, in a land filled with scatter cushions and forgotten passwords, a group of midlife women were quietly (or not so quietly) reimagining their careers. Their assets? Experience, resilience, a sharp instinct for what matters—and a finely tuned nonsense filter.

Let’s be honest: menopause doesn’t often feature in glossy career brochures. The typical symptoms—brain fog, anxiety, disrupted sleep, joint pain and mood swings—aren’t exactly what most employers highlight on leadership development programmes. But here’s the surprising truth: midlife is often when women become the most powerful versions of themselves at work, once they stop living by outdated rules and start honouring their own values.

So, if you're sitting at your desk wondering whether it’s too late to change careers, launch something new, or finally prioritise your wellbeing—the answer is clear: it’s not too late, it’s your time.

The Midlife Career Wobble (and Why It’s a Good Thing)

Midlife often brings what I like to call the Career Wobble. You might suddenly feel like your role no longer fits—or perhaps it never did. The spark has dimmed, your motivation has waned, and your tolerance for nonsense has disappeared.

But rather than seeing this as a problem, consider it a powerful signpost. According to the Centre for Ageing Better (2022), over two-thirds of women aged 50–64 want to work, yet many face multiple barriers—such as ageism, caregiving responsibilities, fluctuating health, and reduced confidence¹. The result? A vast pool of talent underused and undervalued. But that discomfort you feel? It’s not a breakdown. It’s a breakthrough.

What’s Really Going On?

The hormonal shifts of menopause create a natural pause—a space for reflection. And for many women, this time brings a sort of mental decluttering. While the short-term symptoms can be challenging, longer-term changes often include a new kind of clarity: a desire to be bold, set boundaries, and pursue a career that feels meaningful.

As menopause educator and GP Dr Louise Newson highlights, many women at this stage experience a renewed focus, saying:

“For many, the menopause is a turning point—a time when women reassess what they want, and have the confidence to go after it.”²

Career Tip #1: Reframe the Brain Fog

Misplacing your glasses while they're on your head? Perfectly normal. Forgetting why you walked into a room? That’s just your brain prioritising other things—like your next brilliant idea.

In a professional setting, don’t panic if your mind goes blank mid-meeting. Try saying, “Let me come back to that with a fresh angle.” People will assume you're being considered. Add a thoughtful pause, and you may be mistaken for a strategist.

Career Tip #2: You Don’t Need to Start from Scratch

Changing direction doesn’t mean ditching everything you’ve worked for. Many midlife women find career satisfaction not through dramatic reinvention, but through strategic realignment.

Whether it’s adjusting your hours, learning a new skill, or transitioning into a more values-aligned organisation, you can build on what you already have. There are a wealth of free and low-cost UK-based resources for upskilling and career development, including:

• OpenLearn (The Open University)

• Digital Boost

• FutureLearn

  
  

You’ve got experience—let learning fill the gaps, don't fear them.

Career Tip #3: Speak Up at Work

Despite progress, many workplaces are still underprepared for supporting menopausal women. A 2023 survey by CIPD found that 67% of working women aged 40–60 with menopause symptoms said they had a mostly negative impact at work, yet only 24% felt able to disclose this to a manager³.

That’s a significant disconnect. So, what can you do?

• Ask your employer about their menopause policy or champion the introduction of one.

• Encourage open dialogue by sharing articles, attending forums, or starting your own.

• Seek allies—whether it’s HR, occupational health, or your line manager—and invite them into the conversation.

• 
  

You’re not just helping yourself; you’re improving things for those who come after you.

Career Tip #4: Turn Experience into Impact

You’ve got stories. You’ve handled challenging conversations, impossible deadlines, organisational politics, and family responsibilities—all without blinking (or perhaps while quietly blinking back a tear in the loo).

Now is the time to use your experience with confidence. Whether that’s stepping into mentoring, consultancy, coaching, or public speaking, your voice has authority.

A report by Rest Less, a digital community for over-50s, found that the fastest-growing group of new business owners in the UK is women over 50⁴. The message? It’s not too late—it’s the perfect time.

Career Tip #5: Build Your Midlife Support Squad

You don’t have to go it alone. Find—or form—your community. Whether it's a WhatsApp group of colleagues, a menopause café, or a professional network of like-minded women, connection makes the journey less daunting.

Support groups can provide inspiration, accountability, laughter and empathy. And when you're having one of those days, they can remind you: you are not alone.

And if you’re looking for structured support, coaching services (like Pause and Empower, if I may say so) can offer a safe space to explore your goals and fears, and give your confidence a gentle nudge.

Career Tip #6: Start Before You Feel Ready

Confidence doesn’t always come before action—sometimes it’s the result of action.

If you’re waiting to feel completely ready, fully qualified and perfectly composed before applying for a new role, starting that course, or launching that project—you may be waiting a long time.

Instead, try this:

• Take one small step today.

• Ask one person for help or advice.

• Say yes to something before you feel 100% sure.

You’ll be amazed what opens up when you stop waiting and start doing.

In Conclusion: Midlife Is Not a Decline, It’s a Redesign

Menopause may be a physiological shift—but it also unlocks new potential. What looks like a personal crisis can in fact be a powerful professional awakening.

So, if you're feeling restless, uncertain, or a little frayed around the edges—take heart. You’re not losing your edge. You’re sharpening your focus.

You are not winding down. You’re stepping into something new, rich and authentic.

And your career? It’s not on pause. It’s about to play a whole new soundtrack.

Footnotes

1. Centre for Ageing Better (2022). Women and work: Inequality across the life course. https://ageing-better.org.uk/blogs/work-related-inequalities-are-impacting-older-womens-hopes ↩

2. Dr Louise Newson. FAQs and Evidence-Based Guidance. https://www.balance-menopause.com/frequently-asked-questions/ ↩

3. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) (2023). Menopause in the Workplace Survey. https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/reports/menopause-workplace-experiences/↩

4. Rest Less (2023). Entrepreneurship in later life: Women over 50 leading the charge.https://restless.co.uk/press/nearly-one-in-two-women-aged-50-65-say-they-plan-to-continue-working-after-they-reach-state-pension-age/ ↩