For a few months, I had what I suppose were hot flashes; I'd feel kind of warm and flushed all over for a few minutes. Other than that, my big horrible dramatic experience with menopause has been this: I used to have periods and now I don't. Really, that's it!
As to feeling pressured to go on HRT, I guess it depends on the experience of your own family and friends. I have one older sister and a cousin of similar age that I'm close to, and neither of them went on HRT. My Ob/gyn has never brought it up either. Even if I were having some symptoms, I'm sure I'd try to tough it out instead. Most meds just aren't worth it to me..