Women stop caring what other people think of them at the age of 50 – the same age as actress Kate Winslet and singer Emma Bunton.
Simply saying ‘no’ or ‘I don’t want to’ was found to be the top sign that someone is no longer thinking about what others might say when making a decision.
Along with wearing clothes that suit them rather than what is in fashion and speaking their mind even though it might not be a popular opinion.
No longer quietly putting up with someone’s annoying habits, embracing their grey hairs and leaving an event early without feeling guilty were also among the top 25 signs they are doing it for themselves.
The study of 1,000 women aged 50 and above found 77 per cent have reached a point where they no longer worry so much about the opinions of others - with 32 per cent becoming more comfortable in themselves because of the menopause.
While 77 per cent admitted decisions they made in their younger years were influenced by what they thought other people would think.
It also emerged reaching this point left more than a third (37 per cent) of those women feeling happier, while 30 per cent felt more confident.
And 24 per cent went as far as to say it was empowering.
Melissa Cohen, head of nutrition for Menopace [www.menopace.com], which commissioned the research, said: “With age often comes an understanding of who you are and what you want.
“This can give you a confidence in your decisions that you don’t always have when you are younger.
“After years of saying and doing things that you may not really truly believe in but feel it is what is expected of you, it can be liberating to really 'do you'.
“Whether it is eating what you want, when you want, or going the other way and cutting out alcohol to lead a healthier lifestyle regardless of what others may think, doing what you really want can make a real turning point.”
The study revealed that of those who now do something they felt they couldn't do when they were younger, nearly half (43 per cent) said simply reaching a point where they didn’t worry about the opinions of others was when things really changed.
While others worried less about others after growing in confidence (38 per cent), placing a higher value on their health and wellness (29 per cent) and reaching a milestone age (16 per cent).
With a staggering 60 per cent of women now more likely to say no and mean it than when they were younger.
And 61 per cent are less likely to do something they don’t want to for the sake of being polite.
The research, carried out via OnePoll, also found 67 per cent feel they have become more empowered as they have got older, while 51 per cent reckon they put themselves first more often now than they used to.
It also emerged 32 per cent of those who have reached peri-menopause or menopause see it as a time of reset, and 37 per cent believe it marked a shift in how they view themselves.
And 75 per cent said getting older made them feel more confident when it comes to trusting their instinct rather than seeking the approval of others.
Melissa Cohen, head of nutrition, Menopace added: “The menopause is a big milestone for many women, but it can mark a real turning point in how they feel about themselves.
“It can be a great time for a reset and allow you to put your health and wellbeing first, without worrying about the opinions of others so often.”
THE TOP 25 SIGNS A WOMAN NO LONGER CARES WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF THEM:
1. Simply saying ‘No’ or ‘I don’t want to’
2. Wearing what suits them rather than what is fashionable
3. Speaking their mind even though it might not be popular
4. Saying no to plans simply because they don’t feel like it
5. Not feeling the need to explain their choices
6. Wearing what they want rather than following a dress code
7. Only keeping meaningful friends rather than ones they feel obligated to stay in touch with
8. Not agreeing with others just to avoid offending them
9. No longer ‘quietly’ putting up with someone else’s annoying habits
10. Embracing their grey hairs
11. Leaving an event early without feeling guilty
12. Answering back to someone rather than staying quiet to keep the peace
13. Saying what they really think in a workplace meeting rather than what they think you should say
14. Turning down a social invitation without making an excuse
15. No longer faking interest in ‘boring’ conversations
16. Eating what they want, when they want
17. Stopping a sales pitch rather than listening to the end to be polite
18. Not tidying their house ‘just’ because they guests coming around
19. Being honest with family and friends about how they are feeling
20. Standing up for a colleague at work rather than sitting back and watching something happen
21. Not reading the latest book or watching the latest TV show just because everyone else is
22. Following a health and fitness regime because it’s right for them, not just because its the latest fad
23. Wearing make-up because they want to, rather than to look nice for others
24. Embracing stretch marks and blemishes
25. Wearing flats instead of heels to a formal event
