2024 - What a year it has been!!!
As the year draws to a close, it feels fitting to take a moment to reflect on everything 2024 has brought to Barbour Coaching, to the menopause conversation, and to me personally.
What a year it has been—a whirlwind of growth, change, and heartfelt moments that have reminded me how fortunate we are to be part of this journey together.
At Barbour Coaching, 2024 has been a year of expansion, not just in the number of workshops, presentations, and events we’ve hosted, but in the depth of the conversations we’ve had.
From hosting the free Menopause Support Café at Yarm Wellness Centre to presenting on neurodiversity, imposter syndrome, cancer recovery and stress management, it’s been incredible to witness how these topics resonate with people from all walks of life.
It’s also been incredibly humbling to see our reach grow as more and more people seek support and connection in navigating these challenges.
One of the most encouraging shifts this year has been the changing landscape of the menopause conversation. Slowly but surely, the stigma is lifting. Menopause, once a hushed topic, is being brought into the light.
More workplaces are implementing menopause policies and active support networks, more families are having open conversations, and more individuals are seeking tools and strategies to thrive during this stage of life instead of suffering in silence.
It’s been a real honour to contribute to this change and to watch it ripple out into the world.
Dating in your late 40s !!
Amidst all this professional growth, 2024 has also been a year of personal exploration.
For those of us navigating the double whammy of our 40s/50s and menopause, dating can feel like stepping into uncharted territory equal parts exciting and terrifying.
When you’re dating in your late 40s, especially during menopause, for me there’s a unique mental soundtrack that plays in the background. It’s a medley of “Am I enough?” and “What will they think of my hot flushes?” interspersed with “Do I really have the energy for this?” and “How do I explain why I’m suddenly tearing up over a strictly or will everything still work (you know - in the bedroom dept) ?” it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
There’s also the self-doubt that creeps in. How do you put yourself out there when your body feels like a stranger at times? How do you embrace vulnerability when you’ve spent years as a singly, building resilience? And yet, there’s also a quiet confidence that comes with experience. You’ve lived, you’ve learned, and you’ve earned the right to approach relationships with clarity and intention. With stronger. boundaries and understanding what you are looking for in a new partner.
I’ve found that the key lies in self-compassion and authenticity.
It’s about showing up as you are—messy, wonderful, and real.
It’s about finding someone who embraces the quirks, the laugh lines, and yes, even the moments when your hormones hijack your emotions.
And it’s about recognising that, at the end of the day, dating isn’t just about finding someone to love; it’s about continuing to love yourself.
Looking Ahead
As we step into 2025, I’m filled with gratitude and hope. Gratitude for the incredible community we’ve built, for the clients who trust us with their journeys, and for the progress we’ve made in breaking down taboos. Hope for the conversations we’ll continue to spark, the lives we’ll touch, and the paths we’ll cross.
To everyone who’s been part of Barbour Coaching this year, I would like to send you a massive thank you. (Although that doesn’t seem anywhere near enough).
Here’s to a new year filled with growth, connection, and plenty of laughter—even in the midst of hot flushes and any awkward first dates you might find yourself on.
After all, life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain… or maybe even glowing a little in the sunshine. xxx
