Welcome to Exploring Mental Clarity After 50!
In this blog we will be exploring practical strategies for nurturing mental well-being. There are many scientifically proven and ancient practices that can help us address our mental well-being so we can stay grounded during uncertain and difficult times.
Through these ancient teachings and practices, my goal is to help you foster a sense of grounding, balance and mental clarity.
Mental Clarity Before 50
Mental clarity means something different to everyone, so I’ll clarify my personal concept of mental clarity. It is an understanding I have developed through time and experience which has evolved significantly.
In my early years, I never thought much about the concept of mental clarity. If I had to define it, I probably would have related it to intelligence and knowing what you wanted to be when you grew up. At that time of life, I was focused on meeting societal expectations and trying to figure out where I “fit-in” in the big world around me.
I was always a little jealous of those around me who knew from a young age what they wanted to do with their lives because I had no idea! I was good with numbers but also loved the world of fitness. I explored some career options in fitness, but my parents, like most, pushed me in the direction of becoming a Doctor, Lawyer or Accountant.
I didn’t feel like I belonged in any of those “categories.” Though I understood numbers being an Accountant sounded so boring – but off I went to be an Accountant. I struggled with my career, changing paths every few years from public to private industry to non-profits to taxation. I just couldn’t find the right fit and wasn’t very happy.
Looking back now, I realize it was just my perspective that needed to change. I was defining myself and my value by my career only and never giving any thought to life purpose, spiritualty and the bigger picture.
Mental Clarity After 50
At some point, most people start to question the “why’s” of life. For me that started in my early 40’s but became more prominent as I approached 50. There is something very sobering about turning 50 and realizing you are most likely more than half-way through your life! I had been working with elderly clients and their estates for many years seeing exactly what was coming down the pike…and it wasn’t all “sunshine and roses.”
It was at this pivotal time I decided to make both a major life and career change. My husband and I sold our house and started traveling in a camper part-time. I also decided to go back to school to study something health and fitness related. I enrolled in a program to study Ayurveda (more about that here) and was introduced to its sister science of Yoga Philosophy.
I thought to myself… “Yoga – that’s fitness oriented – cool!” Then I learned that there is so much more to Yoga than just performing poses on a mat. The “exercise” form of Yoga – called Asanas – is just one of the 8 Limbs of Yoga as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I’ll be writing more about that in future posts, but for now, I’ll just say Yoga offers guidance on how to live a more meaningful life with purpose.
This is when my concept of mental clarity really shifted. I now relate mental clarity with emotional intelligence and understanding we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We were put here on this earth with our special gifts for a purpose.
Before studying Yoga, I was not very appreciative or grateful for my life gifts and I took them for granted. Now I see that my understanding of numbers combined with my sensitivity are my special gifts. They are my superpowers and I just needed to understand how I can best use them to serve others. I am now very appreciative of my gifts and understand I was blessed with those gifts so I could fulfill a bigger purpose.
Developing Mental Clarity
Through this blog I will share what I have learned through Yoga which has helped me understand and appreciate my life purpose. Many of the practices I will discuss are based on ancient traditions and proven scientifically. The practices are about calming the nervous system, quieting the mind and grounding ourselves. This allows us to respond to situations rather than react.
It is from a grounded, quiet and centered place that we can truly have mental clarity which supports our emotional intelligence so we can better navigate the challenging world around us!
Thank you for reading!
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