Second Spring or Deep Winter? Find Your Menopause Season

What if menopause wasn’t something to endure but something to embrace? The phrase “second spring,” drawn from traditional Chinese medicine, suggests exactly that: a time of renewal, growth, and unexpected joy in the second half of life—a sentiment echoed in the Japanese concept of konenki.

But does this hopeful metaphor match the reality for most women navigating midlife and menopause?

A new series in The Lancet suggests a positive approach, calling for a fresh perspective, one that reframes menopause not as a medical condition to be treated, but as a powerful transition where women can take the lead in their own care, supported by a system that sees them as partners, not patients.

Ultimately, as women’s Yoga and Therapeutic Wellbeing Practitioner, Libby Stevenson reminds us: “Every woman’s experience is different and where you are in the journey makes all the difference”.

That’s why it’s so important to shift the narrative, to stop seeing menopause as an endpoint and start viewing it as a natural stage in a much longer, evolving journey. For far too long, menopause has been framed as something to endure, an inevitable decline or loss. But it doesn’t have to be that way: midlife, including the years surrounding perimenopause and menopause, can be a time of profound reinvention as long as we embrace the changes with curiosity, self-compassion, and a willingness to redefine what vitality and purpose mean at this stage of life.

What stage are you in the menopause journey?

Knowing which “menopause season” you’re in can bring clarity and a sense of empowerment, allowing you to navigate the transitions with more understanding and intention so that you can anticipate the challenges ahead, better manage symptoms, and make informed decisions about your health and well-being.

This awareness can reduce the feeling of being caught off guard by unexpected changes and offer you a sense of control over your experience. Rather than feeling adrift or uncertain, knowing which phase you’re in allows you to respond to your body’s needs in a more proactive, balanced way. It’s also a key to recognizing that these shifts aren’t a “problem” to be solved, but part of a larger, natural cycle of growth and transformation.

Recognizing your season also opens the door to new opportunities, whether it’s adopting new health practices, redefining your goals, or simply giving yourself permission to embrace this stage of life with openness and grace.

It’s called “transition” for a reason

Each phase carries its own challenges and opportunities, but all are part of the natural ebb and flow of life.  For some women, the transition begins with subtle changes during perimenopause; for others, it’s a sudden shift that disrupts life as they knew it. But wherever you find yourself, just entering the fog or beginning to feel the sun on the other side, this time can offer a chance to take stock and reconnect with what matters most.

It’s called “transition” for a reason, and it all starts with knowing where you are in the journey. Embracing these changes as seasons to be experienced, rather than obstacles to overcome, can transform menopause from a source of anxiety into a journey of renewal and empowerment.

Perimenopause: More Winter Than Spring

Perimenopause is a time when your body no longer responds in familiar ways, and many women report feeling “off” without quite knowing why. It can feel as if the ground beneath your feet is shifting without warning—making it one of the most misunderstood and challenging phases of a woman’s hormonal journey. Does that sound familiar?

Libby explains that for many women, perimenopause feels less like a blossoming spring and more like a long, unpredictable winter.

This phase, which can begin years before the final menstrual period—typically in a woman’s early to mid-40s, is characterised by intense hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen and progesterone levels swing erratically, often leading to a cascade of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms.

“During perimenopause, women often face a barrage of symptoms: hot flushes, disrupted sleep, anxiety, brain fog, and changes in body composition,” Libby says. “These symptoms can arrive suddenly and unpredictably.”

At the same time, women may be grappling with emotionally complex life events, such as ageing parents, children leaving home, career plateaus, or caring for multiple generations, which add layers of stress and complexity to this period.

“In this stage, the idea of spring can feel like a distant promise rather than a present reality,” Libby notes.

Understanding perimenopause is key to feeling empowered. The more you know about the hormonal changes and the symptoms that come with them, the more you can normalize your experience. This knowledge also helps you distinguish between what’s “just perimenopause” and what’s something that requires medical attention.

Postmenopause: The True Second Spring

Once menopause has officially occurred (defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period), the journey enters the postmenopausal phase. According to Libby, this is often where the “second spring” metaphor truly comes to life.

“The hormonal turbulence begins to settle,” she explains to CruchyTales. “Many women find that their symptoms ease or even disappear. With this newfound clarity and stability, women often feel more in tune with themselves and more accepting of their bodies, choices, and limits.”

Libby describes this phase as a time of renewal, not of youth, but of authenticity and alignment. Energy may return, not in the same way as in younger years, but in a wiser, more focused form: freed from the monthly hormonal rollercoaster and the noise of earlier adulthood, women often feel a new sense of freedom and purpose.

“There’s a strong desire to reorient life, revisit passions, or step into new roles with deeper meaning,” Libby says.

Postmenopause: A Season of Growth and Empowerment

Libby also emphasises that postmenopause is not the end of vitality but can mark the beginning of a more grounded and empowered stage of life. “It’s a time when women plant new seeds, even if they’re doing it with grey hair and reading glasses,” she continues.

This idea resonates with the views of Margaret Mead, the renowned cultural anthropologist, who had profound insights on aging, especially in the postmenopausal years. Mead saw this stage as one rich with potential, where women, freed from the constraints of childbearing, could step into roles of deeper societal engagement and personal fulfillment.

One of her most famous quotes related to this topic is:“There is no more important time to be a woman than when she is postmenopausal, because this is the time when she is freed from the constraints of reproduction and can engage fully in the world, in a way that younger women often cannot.”

Her perspective challenged the traditional view of aging, especially for women, and painted postmenopause as a period of potential and power, rather than decline. It aligns with the idea of menopause as a “rebirth” or “reinvention” of sorts.

So, is midlife really a second spring? “Perhaps not during perimenopause,” Libby reflects, “but after the storm of perimenopause clears, the bloom of postmenopause begins. With the right support, awareness, and self-compassion, it can be a truly beautiful season.”

By embracing menopause as a season of transformation rather than a conclusion, many women find that anxiety gives way to clarity and confidence. However, preparation matters: surrounding yourself with supportive friends, family, or professionals, and engaging in practices like mindfulness, yoga, gentle movement, or creative expression can deeply nourish your well-being.

Just as nature moves through its cycles, the journey through menopause unfolds in stages, each with its own rhythm, lessons, and unexpected gifts. This isn’t simply about “getting through” it, it’s about tuning into your body, honouring your needs, and stepping into a new chapter.

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