Advice for a 45 year old...

[ChocolateLover2000]

Shamelessly inspired by the 55+ thread....

What advice would you give a 45 year old, from your own experience? How can I make the best of the next, say, 10 years?

Me at the moment: kids in junior school, health basically good, marriage basically good, reasonable job I expect to do for the next few years. (In case it's relevant.)

What do I need to know/think about now?

Keep good levels of fitness, be alert to signs and symptoms of menopause and read up on HRT to see if it will benefit you, don't wait until it wrecks your mental health, take it earlier.
Sort out your finances if you can so that you can do more when you start to get your life back as the children get older. Enjoy your children now, they will be gone sooner than you realise.

Thanks. I have to admit I feel really nervous about the menopause. I've read so many horror stories about it now.