Have you ever felt like there’s something more waiting for you in midlife—but you have no idea what that “more” is supposed to look like?

Menopause can bring so much more than physical changes. It can shift the way we see our careers, relationships, responsibilities, and even the life we want to be living. In Chinese medicine, menopause is often called our “second spring,” and I love the idea that this season can be a time of renewal—but that doesn’t mean the transformation is always comfortable.

In this episode, I’m coming to you completely unscripted (and literally from bed!) to share some of my own experience of moving through that uncomfortable in-between space. I’m talking about my vision for the next five to seven years, why retreats have become part of that plan, and the simple advice that has helped me when I didn’t know exactly what came next: start small and dabble.

In this episode:

[1:53] What if you stopped waiting? Why this next chapter of life can feel so uncertain after the kids leave, hormones shift, and you begin wondering what you actually want the rest of your life to look like

[2:45] Why menopause is called the “second spring” in Chinese medicine—and how looking at this season as a time of renewal can change the way we think about aging and transformation

[3:21] How our culture of constant busyness can keep us from living intentionally, especially when women are already juggling careers, children, aging parents, and the physical and emotional changes of menopause

[4:20] That feeling that there has to be something more: why you don’t need to have your next chapter figured out yet, whether you’re craving a new hobby, considering a career change, or dreaming about a radically different life

[5:13] The five-to-seven-year vision I haven’t really shared before—and why creating more location independence while continuing to do work I love has become an important goal for me

[6:39] How I’m starting to build that life now through travel and retreats, including my upcoming time in Savannah and Tuscany and plans to host more retreats in 2027

[8:56] Why simply working remotely from somewhere warm didn’t feel like enough—and how I realized retreats could give me both the location independence and meaningful connection I was craving

[9:59] The “cocoon” stage of transformation: what some of my darkest and most difficult years taught me about perimenopause, survival mode, financial pressure, and the uncomfortable process of becoming someone new

[12:02] An important reminder about getting support when darkness becomes too much, whether that means talking with your primary care doctor, exploring medication, working with a therapist, trying cognitive behavioral therapy, or finding other professional support

[12:45] How reading The Pivot Year and creating a morning journaling practice helped me become more intentional and start paying attention to what I wanted from my next chapter

[14:59] The advice that stuck with me when I didn’t know what to do next: just dabble—and why trying something as simple as needlepoint, mahjong, volunteering, or another new interest can create momentum

[16:15] Why a new hobby doesn’t have to become a business or a dramatic life change to matter—and how trying something new can bring unexpected energy and connection into your life

[16:55] How my own retreat journey started by attending retreats myself before I ever considered hosting them—and why you don’t need to make the giant leap before you’re ready

[17:46] My invitation to you if you’re feeling stuck, flat, or ready for something different: reach out, tell me what you’re thinking, and start experimenting with what your own “second spring” could become

Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:

• Website: https://risingwomanproject.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Are you in your own “cocoon” right now? Maybe you know you want something different but have absolutely no idea what that looks like yet. Start small. Try something new. Dabble. You don’t have to figure out your entire next chapter today.

And I’d love to hear what you thought about this more spontaneous, completely unscripted episode! Send me a message and let me know.

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