Why your self-worth matters more than ever in midlife and menopause
Are you letting menopause define your worth?
Menopause is more than just hot flashes and disrupted sleep - it can shake your confidence, self-worth, and sense of control. Many midlife women find themselves questioning their value as they navigate physical and emotional changes that often begin in perimenopause. But what if menopause wasn’t the end of feeling like yourself but the beginning of something even stronger? If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your body, struggling with low energy, or questioning your place in the world, you’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll explore how menopause impacts self-worth and, more importantly, how you can take back control to feel healthy, confident, and empowered.
What is self-worth and why does it matter?
Self-worth is your deep, internal sense of value and belief in yourself. Unlike self-esteem, which can fluctuate based on achievements or external validation, self-worth is about recognising your intrinsic value, regardless of circumstances. It’s essentially like the foundation of a house - it has to be there to build everything else upon, and it doesn’t change according to what’s going on in your life. It shapes how you show up in the world, how you set boundaries, and how you take care of yourself.
When your self-worth is strong, you make choices that align with your wellbeing, set healthy boundaries, and prioritise yourself without guilt. But when it wavers - especially during life transitions like menopause - it can lead to self-doubt, people-pleasing, and neglecting your own needs.
Understanding the impact of menopause on self-worth
The Silent Confidence Crisis:
Menopause can bring a wave of self-doubt. Brain fog, weight changes, mood swings, and fatigue can leave you feeling unlike yourself. You may start to question your abilities at work, your attractiveness, or your sense of purpose. Many women say that they “feel like they’ve just lost themselves.”
Women in midlife can feel invisible, as if society pushes them aside once they’re no longer in their reproductive years. It’s often the realisation that we’re ageing and, because of what our mothers and grandmothers taught us through their experience, we see this as something negative and it weakens our self-worth. But the truth is, this stage of life is an opportunity to redefine your worth on your terms. It’s a crossroads that can, perhaps for the first time in many years, or even your entire adult life, give you a powerful opportunity to design the life you want.
The crossroads that many women in midlife feel they’re facing can be one with endless possibility, if you hold strong self-worth to choose the path you want for a great life.
The connection between hormones and self-perception:
Hormonal fluctuations affect more than just your body - they impact your brain and emotions. A drop in oestrogen can lead to increased anxiety, lower motivation, and even feelings of sadness or self-doubt. This isn’t just in your head; it’s a biological shift that can make it harder to feel like yourself.
Recognising these changes as part of a natural transition - not a decline - can help you develop a new perspective on your self-worth. It’s important to understand what is happening in menopause to show yourself self-compassion and guide yourself through what is changing.
Taking back control of your wellbeing
Step 1: Shift your mindset
Instead of seeing menopause as the loss of your younger self, reframe it as a time to step into a new phase of wisdom, strength, and clarity. Ask yourself:
What are the beliefs I’ve been holding about ageing and self-worth?
How can I redefine success and confidence for myself at this stage of life?
What would it look like to fully embrace who I am right now?
Step 2: Prioritise your health as a form of self-respect
Your body is changing, and it needs your support. Small, consistent habits can have a huge impact on how you feel. Focus on:
Balanced nutrition: Supporting hormonal health with protein, healthy fats, and fibre.
Movement that feels good: Strength training, walking, or yoga can help boost energy and confidence.
Stress management: Mindfulness, deep breathing, and setting boundaries to protect your well-being.
When you nourish your body, you reinforce the message that you are worth taking care of.
Step 3: Reconnect with your sense of purpose
Many women find that menopause forces them to re-evaluate what truly matters. Instead of focusing on what’s changing, consider these questions:
What excites or inspires you?
What strengths and experiences make you unique?
How can you use this phase of life to grow, explore, and contribute in new ways?
Your value isn’t tied to youth - it’s tied to your wisdom, resilience, and the impact you have on the world around you. When you hold strong self-worth, you know that you have impact on those in your life and the world around you.
Your worth is not up for debate
Menopause may challenge your sense of identity, but it doesn’t define you. By shifting your mindset, prioritising your health, and reconnecting with what truly matters, you can reclaim your confidence and self-worth. And maybe, you can even strengthen your self-worth as you embrace what you desire in your second half of life!
You are not becoming less - you are evolving into a version of yourself that is wiser, stronger, and more in tune with what truly makes you feel alive.
“You don’t soar to the level of your hopes and dreams, you stay stuck at the level of your self-worth.”
Your level of self-worth determines what you allow yourself to have in life. If you don’t believe you deserve happiness, success, or fulfilment, you’ll unknowingly hold yourself back. But the good news? You can change this. By shifting your mindset, setting boundaries, and choosing self-care, you can build unshakable self-worth that transforms every area of your life. It all starts with a decision: to believe in yourself.
Key takeaways for you:
Self-worth is the foundation for confidence, success, and fulfilment.
Many people unknowingly self-sabotage due to deep-rooted beliefs about their worth.
Rewriting your internal story and practising self-care can help shift these beliefs.
Small, daily actions build long-term self-worth.
Key insights from this Women’s Health Unwrapped podcast episode with guest DeDee Cai:
Self-worth is the foundation for confidence, success, and fulfilment.
Many people unknowingly self-sabotage due to deep-rooted beliefs about their worth.
Rewriting your internal story and practising self-care can help shift these beliefs.
Small, daily actions to prioritise your wellbeing are the key to building long-term self-worth.
Like this topic? Explore it further using these additional FREE resources:
Take a listen to this podcast episode where I take you behind the scenes of the changes I’ve made to transform my health and life, and why self-worth is at the core of making what you want come into existence for you - Taking control of your life to unlock health and happiness
Read my blog where I talk about the negative impact of low self-worth and body image on your overall health and happiness - Is the way you look holding back your happiness?
Take a read of this insightful blog from Inclusive Therapists focusing on how in recognising our worth and embracing self-confidence, we can overcome self-doubt, break free from societal expectations, and pursue our dreams and goals with resilience and determination - Embracing Your Worth
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