FLO Kolkata hosted an engaging and candid conversation, The Midlife You Deserve, with Lisa Ray, centred on women’s health, midlife, menopause and the importance of placing oneself back into the picture. The session presented midlife not as a crisis, but as an opportunity for greater self-awareness, confidence and personal fulfilment. Lisa began by reflecting on her deep connection with Kolkata and the childhood memories that continue to make the city feel like home.
She went on to speak about her life across different cities and cultures and how these experiences taught her to distinguish between adapting to circumstances and losing oneself in the process. She encouraged women to reflect on who they are beyond their responsibilities and identities as daughters, wives, mothers and professionals. A significant part of the conversation focused on her experience with cancer and how it became a profound turning point in her life.
Lisa spoke about learning to listen to her body, recognising the signals she had previously overlooked and making significant lifestyle and personal changes. She emphasised that the body communicates with us and that women must develop the awareness to listen.
The discussion then moved to menopause, an area Lisa described as one of the most under-discussed aspects of women’s health.
Drawing from her own experience of medically induced menopause, she spoke about the lack of preparation and support she initially received and the importance of educating oneself about available healthcare options. She stressed that although menopause is a natural transition, suffering in silence should not be normalised. The conversation also explored self-care, setting boundaries, saying no, body image, beauty standards and the pressures created by social media.
Lisa urged women to create time for themselves and to embrace ageing with confidence rather than fear. The session concluded with a powerful message: “women should define their own timelines, love themselves, and remember that it is never too late to begin something new, pursue a passion or enter a new chapter with purpose and courage.”
Key Takeaways
- Midlife is not a crisis—it is a woman’s prime time, marked by greater self-awareness, experience, confidence and the freedom to redefine life on her own terms.
- Listen to your body: physical and emotional signals should not be ignored or normalised; women must learn to recognise and respond to what their bodies are communicating.
- Menopause must move out of the shadows: greater openness, awareness and informed conversations are essential to ensure women do not suffer in silence.
- Women must become active participants in their healthcare, asking questions, seeking appropriate medical guidance and understanding the choices available to them.
- Self-care is not selfish. Creating time for oneself, establishing boundaries and learning to say “no” are essential to sustaining personal wellbeing.
- Health extends beyond the physical. Emotional wellbeing, identity, mental resilience, sleep, relationships and a sense of purpose are integral to living well through midlife.
- Ageing should not mean apologising for change. Women should challenge unrealistic beauty standards and embrace their evolving bodies, identities and individuality.
- Confidence is earned through lived experience. The resilience gained through challenges, loss, change and rebuilding becomes a powerful source of inner confidence.
- Menopause is not a woman’s journey alone. Partners, families and society must participate in creating greater understanding, empathy and support.
- There is no prescribed timeline for fulfilment. It is never too late to begin again, pursue a passion, start something new or create the life that feels right for you.
Impact & Outcome
Around 300 participants witnessed the meaningful dialogue led by Ms. Lisa Ray on women’s health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on midlife, menopause, self-care, identity, and the physical and emotional changes associated with this phase of life. The event encouraged women to listen to their bodies, recognise health signals and take greater ownership of their wellbeing. Through Lisa Ray’s candid reflections on her experiences with cancer, recovery and menopause, the session highlighted the importance of breaking the silence around women’s health and seeking appropriate information and medical support.