KarenNebe.com/Compassionate Leadership & Coach

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧?

In menopause, what changes within us can begin to shape 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐬.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞. 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬, 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲, 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲, 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬.

We might respond differently to familiar moments — wanting more space or more connection. Intimacy may shift. Even a relationship at work could feel different.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞:

This is where something from my work as an ontological coach has become increasingly interesting to me. There is a difference between what is happening and the meaning we make of our experience.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞:

My partner doesn't initiate intimacy.

That's an observation.

"They're no longer attracted to me."

That's an interpretation.

A colleague doesn't respond to something I've said.

That's an observation.

"They don't respect me."

Again, that's an interpretation.

And once we believe our interpretation, we can begin to respond to it as though it were fact.

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫:

One of the practices I return to is becoming curious about the observer I am being. Instead of immediately asking:

"What's wrong here?"

𝐈 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐤:

"What am I noticing?"

"What am I making this mean?"

"What else might be possible?"

This isn't about ignoring what is happening. It's about creating enough space to recognise that our first interpretation isn't necessarily the only interpretation available to us.

And menopause can be a powerful time to practice this — because so much about ourselves can be changing.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞?

Think about one relationship in your life that feels difficult or different right now.

𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐤:

What am I observing?

What am I making it mean?

What else might be possible?

Sometimes expanding the observer doesn't change the situation.

But it can change the possibilities we can see within it.

𝐀 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞-𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡:

This is the kind of whole-person understanding we explore in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞. We go beyond symptoms to understand the physiology, relationships, sexuality, work, identity and lived experience of menopause — and what becomes possible when we understand this stage more deeply.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 10 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 25 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 2026

Deepen your understanding of perimenopause & menopause — for yourself, your clients, your patients, your employees or the women you support.

[JOIN THE NEXT COURSE →] https://themenopausecoach.co.za/product/the-menopause-education-course-25-august-2026/

The Menopause Education Course | Online | Next Course Starts 25 August 2026 | Women's Month Special - The Menopause Coach The Menopause Education Course| Online | Next Course Starts 25 August 2026 | WOMEN'S MONTH SPECIAL!

Today, 16 July 2026 marks one year since my mom died.

I’ve found myself reflecting less on her death and more on her life.

And on inheritance.

Not the things we leave behind in a house or a will, but the ways of being that quietly pass from one generation to the next.

The older I get, the less interested I am in asking whether someone was good or bad. I’m more interested in asking what they were carrying, what they passed on, and what is now my responsibility to transform.

I’ve come to see that so much of what we call personality is, in fact, adaptation. Ways of thinking, coping, protecting and relating that were shaped long before us.

We don’t simply inherit eye colour.

We inherit stories.
Beliefs.
Silences.
Ways of coping.
Ways of loving.
Ways of making sense of the world.

Most of these are passed on without awareness.

One of the greatest gifts coaching has given me is this: transformation begins the moment we become observers of our own way of being. Only then can we choose differently.

Not to erase our history.

But to honour it by keeping what gives life and gently releasing what no longer serves.

That understanding has shaped both my life and my work.

Today I remember my mom with gratitude for all she taught me, compassion for all she carried, and a renewed commitment to leave those who come after me a little freer than I was.

Perhaps that’s one of the deepest forms of love.

At some point in midlife, many women notice:

Something has shifted.

In the body.
In energy.
In how we experience ourselves.

And often… without explanation.

It’s not that you’re doing something wrong.
It’s that your body is asking for a different kind of understanding now.

I’m honoured to be speaking at the 🔥UNSTOPPABLE Woman After 50 Series (May 15–17, 2026)🔥 — a free virtual event bringing together conversations on women’s health, hormones, and midlife wellbeing.

✔️Short, accessible sessions (15–30 mins), with audio so you can listen anywhere.

A more informed, more compassionate way to navigate this phase starts here.💫

REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE SPOT NOW
🔗https://rcf5gbuwotz.krtra.com/t/sUujdi90mrXc

As 2026 began, I felt a surge of excitement about change —like I was standing at the edge of something new and alive, ready to leap. I welcomed the idea of bold, courageous decisions and fresh perspectives, believing this would be the year I truly stepped into possibility.

Then, almost without warning, it felt as though I was wading through mud. The weight of world news pressed in, and the wildfires in our area turned the air thick with smoke and unease. My optimism stumbled under the heaviness of uncertainty and grief for the world around me.

AND, a thread of determination and passion pulls me forward. I want to stay focused, to remember why I began this year with hope. Even in the mess and the mud, I know that speaking up for change and holding onto radical hope matters. In the face of significant challenges across the world, RADICAL HOPE is the mood in which we hold a commitment to possibility.

Guided by the words of Joanna Macy: “When our responses are guided by the intention to act for the healing of our world, the mess we’re in not only becomes easier to face, our lives also become more meaningful and satisfying.”

I constantly remind myself to pause, to center, to connect with nature and to soften into the present moment. I tune into my own intuition amidst the noise, stay open to possibilities, and let self-compassion guide me.

There’s a quiet power in continuing: in releasing what no longer serves me, in challenging old patterns, and in using my voice to advocate for a fairer, more connected world. This year still asks for honesty, for courage, and for the belief that even in the hardest seasons, change is possible.

I invite you to reflect on the necessary changes you want to create in your life —to prioritise self-care, and permit yourself the space to do so.
This year urges you to pursue deeper honesty with yourself and those around you.

Acknowledge the transformative power of your words and mood in shaping reality and designing your life. I am here to support you, your team and your loved ones.

Working with me offers a transformative Ontological coaching journey that goes beyond tools, strategies and surface changes —to explore beliefs, perceptions, and identity.
This approach fosters a new way of observing self and the world, potentially leading to a profound shift in way of being. I provide a compassionate, insightful space for exploring and rewriting limiting beliefs and stories.
Together we'll uncover possibilities — an opportunity to navigate life's complexities with renewed purpose and clarity. My commitment is to partner with individuals and teams in designing their best life.💫

I’ve delighted in creating this post as my love for horses has been re-ignited. As a child I used to draw them in great detail. Over and over. Sadly I never kept any of the drawings. I feel inspired to create again. I say that, knowing that I create in my work and life everyday ~ through language, my nervous system, gestures, my connections. It’s been a while since I’ve drawn or painted or sculpted though. Perhaps an invitation to do so.
I feel excited about this year. I’m dreaming BIG! 🔥💫

What moves you in this moment?

#2026

As this year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on all it has held.

It’s been a year of contrast—joy and grief, opportunity and loss, learning and deepening self-awareness. A year that asked me to show up fully human, both in my work and in my broader life.

Professionally, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities to amplify the menopause conversation—through interviews, films, workshops, webinars, and education.
From bringing The M-Factor film to South Africa early in 2025, to facilitating menopause education in workplaces, researching, developing and delivering a 10-week course with two cohorts, and supporting women and leaders (both women and men) through coaching, this work continues to expand in meaningful ways. I’m also thankful for new connections across South Africa, Europe, India, the UK and the US.

Alongside this growth, there has been profound loss.
This year, my spiritual teacher Joan died. My mom died. And my uncle Bob—who was like a father to me—died suddenly. Grief has always been a quiet but powerful teacher, deepening my empathy, presence, and compassion in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
I’ve learned that gratitude and grief are not opposites—they co-exist.

As I look ahead, I feel a steady sense of possibility. One grounded in integrity, research, connection, and compassion.

May we carry forward what mattered.
Rest where we need to.
And meet what's next with courage and kindness.

🧡🧡🧡

Day 21 of my advent.

For those with bruises on the soft tissue of your heart please be reminded that it’s actually made of the strongest stuff known to mankind. Or any kind.

It will break a million times in this life, if you’re living it right. 💔❤️‍🩹

My love to you all x

Today, I stand still in silence for every woman, every child, and every member of the LGBTQI+ community whose safety, dignity, and very life has been stolen or silenced.
I stand for those who are no longer here to speak, whose voices were taken by gender-based violence, and for those still living in fear.

At 12h00 today, I will stop. I will not behave as if this horror is normal—because it is not. I stand with and the thousands across South Africa who refuse to let this suffering go unseen, who are done carrying our pain and trauma in silence.

For too long, our stories have been buried—shut down in our homes, dismissed in courts, ignored at work, erased in our culture, even in the very spaces where we should have felt safe. Today, I stand for the living and for the dead, for every life touched, broken, or ended by GBV.

At 12h00 today on 21 November 2025, I will stand still AND then I will RISE. For them. For us. For me - until we are no longer dismissed and ignored.

Join me.
Join us.