Author and journalist India Knight is a Sunday Times columnist and the author of several books. Her bestsellers include My Life on a Plate, Don’t You Want Me?, The Shop, The Thrift Book and Neris and India’s Idiot-Proof Diet. India Knight lives in Suffolk.
She is also one of our swear-bys when it comes to beauty recommendations, thanks to her brilliant beauty column in Sunday Times’ Style magazine.
A wise and witty midlifer, India’s own menopause journey has been relatively drama-free, as she explains here.
How old were you when menopause kicked in?
When I was 52 I realised it had been two years since my last period.
What were your symptoms?
I didn’t have any symptoms, much to my surprise. Maybe increased forgetfulness? I am quite forgetful, though I don’t know if the menopause has anything to do with it. I think it’s more likely to be the fault of screen time and never concentrating on anything properly for any length of time.
READ MORE What are the 34 menopause symptoms?
Have you faced any challenges?
What I do absolutely have is that sort of thickened middle. It is impossible to shift, or perhaps I’m not trying hard enough (quite likely, to be honest). It’s a pain in terms of clothing – you start understanding why some women go down the smocked dress/waterfall cardigan route.
It’s a surprising thing to have always dressed confidently, and to have to re-examine that quite so late in life. Also, thinner hair, requiring more attention and a better cut.
Get proper underwear that fits. Now is not the time for your comfiest, oldest bra.
What are the things that have got your through it?
Expensive shampoo, a decent serum, daily sunscreen. I would also say that if you stop colouring your hair, you need to revisit your entire makeup look.
READ MORE How to help dry skin in menopause.
What made the biggest difference?
Proper underwear that fits. Now is not the time for your comfiest, oldest bra.
The menopause, or perhaps just age, has given me the gift of not giving a fuck. It is incredibly liberating.
Were there any positive symptoms?
The menopause, or perhaps just age, has given me the gift of not giving a fuck. It is incredibly liberating. I don’t do anything I don’t want to do, I don’t make convoluted excuses to get out of things, I don’t tiptoe around anything anything any more. I say no to stuff all the time without feeling I have to apologise 25 times first. It’s amazing. I love it. I’ve also completely stopped wearing heels, which has changed my life for the better in a dramatic way.
The best advice you received?
Do yoga.
What you wish you’d known?
That it wouldn’t be this great and awful drama. I was fully braced for feeling mad and unwell for several years. In the event, I genuinely didn’t notice my menopause happening. I do wish people would explain that it doesn’t have to be this great, earth-shattering catastrophe.
The impact on your relationships?
None. My partner might say I’m stroppier, but see answer above re not tiptoeing around things.
What you’d do differently?
This doesn’t apply to greedy fatso me, but I would urge young women to eat properly and not faddishly, and not exclude vast amounts of foods. I have several friends who are developing osteoporosis. Eat calcium.
What you say to other women?
It’s going to be fine.
Your thoughts on this time of a woman’s life?
I love it. I feel all wise and strong and chilled. And capable. I genuinely feel I’m in my prime.
Your menopause was…
No big deal.
