How the seasons of life, including menopause, invite us to evolve
We often say we are afraid of change. But sometimes I wonder if what we truly fear is not change itself, but growth.
A new job, a new country, new friendships… even something as small as a new perfume can make us feel uneasy.
Over the years, I have seen this clearly in my professional life. When the packaging of a medicine changes, many people immediately ask for the old one.
“If you have the previous package, I’ll take that,” they say.
At first, it may seem strange, but it is actually a very human reaction.
A part of our brain, often referred to as the “reptilian brain,” is designed to keep us safe. When it senses danger, it triggers simple survival responses: fight, flight, or freeze. Familiar environments, known routines, and predictable situations feel comforting for this reason.
And there is nothing wrong with that.
Growth Begins Outside the Comfort Zone
However, creativity and growth rarely happen inside that comfort zone. Seeing new places, meeting different people, and experiencing unfamiliar situations awaken our curiosity and imagination.
The steps do not have to be big. Even small changes can help us grow.
Like many people, I enjoy making certain changes in my life around the transitions of the seasons. If there is no urgency, I prefer starting a new sport, adjusting my diet, or enrolling in a new course when the seasons shift.
It makes me feel as if I have made a small agreement with nature.
I often schedule my health check-ups and blood tests during these periods as well—when nature is blooming or when leaves begin to fall.
Spring, Travel, and New Beginnings
Spring is also my favourite season for travel. With spring, our hormones shift, our clothes become lighter, and we spend more time outdoors. Festivals, flowers, and the awakening of nature slowly return to our lives.
In a way, we begin to bloom with nature.
This is why I especially love travelling in April. Travelling during a seasonal transition always brings a particular feeling: as if I take the beautiful memories with me and leave the heavier ones behind in winter… much like leaving thick coats and heavy clothes in the closet.
Whenever possible, I prefer visiting places I have never been before. New places awaken curiosity and creativity.
That is the kind of change that helps us grow.
Are We Afraid of Change… or Growth?
Yet, if we are honest, sometimes we are not afraid of change itself, but of what growth might reveal. Growth brings new questions. It shifts our perspective.
It’s like discovering a completely new way of cooking aubergine after years of preparing it the same way.
We thought we knew everything about it.
Life Cycles & Menopause
Certain phases of life follow similar cycles. Menopause, for example, often reminds me of the seasons of nature. Sometimes it feels like leaves falling, sometimes like a new blossoming.
If we can accept these changes as a natural part of life, instead of resisting them, we can grow alongside them. After all, refusing to accept change does not stop it from happening.
Moments of renewal—sometimes even a simple holiday—can quietly open a new door in our lives.
Why Growth Matters
But why should we grow?
Couldn’t we simply stay the same?
Of course, we could. Yet as life itself constantly evolves, discovering parts of ourselves we did not even know existed and finding new ways to place ourselves in the world may be one of the deeper meanings of being alive.
As we grow, we move closer to ourselves.
Just as we notice the needs of people we love and try to make them happy, eventually we begin to do the same for ourselves.
With our strengths and weaknesses, our mistakes and our wisdom, each of us is unique—rich like a book filled with stories.
A Thought to Reflect On
A quote often attributed to Alain de Botton says:
“If you are not embarrassed by who you were ten years ago, you probably haven’t grown enough.”
It reminds me that waiting for the perfect moment is rarely necessary. What matters is taking the first step.
As Rumi beautifully said:
“Set out on the path, and the path will appear.”
A Gentle Reminder
Before setting off on your next journey, one small reminder: take care of your health. Check your blood tests, pack any necessary supplements, and familiarise yourself with the healthcare system and emergency services in the country you are visiting.
Final Thought
Behind fear, change often waits.
And behind change, growth.
Sometimes immediately.
Sometimes a little later.
But it comes.
Perhaps life is simply the art of learning to bloom again—season after season.
