Sometimes it feels like our emotions are running the show. Am I right?

Between changing hormones, shifting family dynamics,

maybe even facing some big life questions, things

can feel, let's say, intense.

Today, let's talk about mental wellness after 50.

No shame, no judgment, just strategies

for finding calm and resilience within the

chaos.

Hey, friend. Ever feel like those old

fashioned ideas about aging just don't fit you? If you're

ready to own this incredible chapter with grace, style, and a touch of

sass, this is your space. Welcome to the aging with

grace and style podcast. I'm Valerie Hatcher, and I'm here

with empowering tips, inspiring stories, and a whole lot of

fun just for us, women over 50. So grab

your favorite beverage, turn up the volume, and let's get

started.

Alright. Let's dive in. Today, we're going

to explore the emotional impact of this stage of life.

It's no secret that as we navigate our

fifties and beyond, we encounter a

multitude of emotions from anxiety about the

future to grappling with changing family

dynamics and even facing our own mortality.

Let's be honest. Mortality seems to raise its

ugly head as we age. For me, it makes

me think of time. I wasted what I

do differently while at the same time,

vowing to embrace and enjoy each moment

that's ahead. As you can probably tell,

based on my mortality rant,

personally, I've had my fair share

of moments where emotions felt overwhelming

for various reasons. For instance, even

though it's been 10 years now, I remember when

John left home for college and suddenly my

role as a mother, it shifted dramatically.

It was a time filled with both pride and

uncertainty. And I found myself grappling with

feelings of loss and purposelessness.

Is that a word? Well, it's gonna be today.

Then there was last year when he got married. I

also found myself trying to figure out emotions of

not knowing how life would be, would change

since he was now a whole

husband and had a wife. Hey, this was new.

You know, sometimes we get ourselves all

worked up over how we think the story is going to

go and it turns out totally different.

And then sometimes I feel this

low grade anxiety for no reason

at all. It's almost like my brain is searching for something to

worry about. I know that might sound silly

or it might be something that you've also dealt with,

but here's the thing. It's okay to

feel these emotions. In fact, it's more than

okay. It's completely normal and

you are not alone. If you're feeling a mix of

things, we're living in a time of

immense change and transition, And it's

only natural for our emotions to

ebb and flow with the tide. Some days we're

on top of the world. Others, it may be hard just

to get out of bed. Anxiety,

feeling overwhelmed by change, even a

sense of grief as we see the years go by,

these are normal parts of the midlife experience

even if we don't always talk about them.

Okay. Let's get practical. When those

waves of emotional overwhelm hit,

we need ways to cope in the moment.

So let's talk about managing

emotional overwhelm in our daily lives.

It's easy to feel inundated by our

emotions, especially when we're juggling

multiple roles and responsibilities.

Deep breathing exercises, taking a short

walk, or even just splashing cold water on your

face can help you reset.

Mental well-being isn't just about meditating,

although meditating can help. One

powerful tool is journaling. I've talked about

journaling before and that's because it's been

incredibly helpful for me in navigating emotions,

taking the time to put pen and paper and pour

out my thoughts and feelings has been cathartic.

It allows me to, to process emotion

and, and to gain clarity in moments of confusion.

Don't worry about perfect writing. Just, just let it

flow. I'm telling you. I've yelled

and screamed in my writing. I've cussed people out

and called them, I gotta admit, some really bad

names. Yes. I have. But isn't it

better to do it in the privacy of my journal than to their

face? Of course,

journaling is just one tool in our mental

wellness toolkit. Another essential

aspect of navigating this stage of life

is finding and connecting with community.

Now finding community is huge,

whether it's through a book club, a walking

group support groups, online

forums, church,

or simply spending time with like minded women

who, who just get it. That's

incredibly reassuring. Knowing that you're

not the only one facing a challenge makes

a world of difference. I'll never

forget the first time I attended this women's support

group, the sense of comradery and

under understanding in the room. It was great.

And it reminded me that I wasn't alone.

We laughed, we cried, we lifted

each other up and that sense of connection.

It was truly invaluable girl.

Here's the thing. It's okay

to feel the full spectrum of emotions.

We don't have to be positive and cheerful all the time. I

certainly am not, but it's also

important to have tools to navigate those tough

moments so that we they don't control

us. One strategy that has been

particularly effective for me is setting

boundaries, Learning to say no

when I need to and prioritizing self care has

been transformative. Whether it's

carving out time for a walk, sitting on the

patio, going window shopping, or

just spending some quiet time with just me and my laptop.

Self care is essential for maintaining

mental well-being. And finally,

let's take a moment to acknowledge just

how strong and resilient you truly are.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties that may come

your way, you have the inner strength and

courage to persevere. So the

next time that that inner critic

rears its head, remember this, you are capable,

you're worthy and you are definitely enough.

Take one small step for your mental well-being

today. Try that 5 minute

meditation app that you've heard about or reach out to

an old friend or start a simple journal

practice. Remember, if you're struggling,

please know that help is available. Here's some

resources. One is the National Alliance

of Mental Illness, NAMI,

n a m I, and the website is nami.org.

They offer support groups, educational materials, and a

helpline. Another is the

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The website is samhssa.gov

backslash mental slash health. It's

a government website with information on various mental health

conditions and how to find treatment. And then lastly,

it's the crisis text line. You can text

home to 741-741

for immediate 247 confidential support.

I know I went through those fast, so I am going to include the links

in the show notes in case you need them or you know someone

else who does. Remember you are not alone on this

journey. There's support, there's understanding.

And within yourself, there's a strength that you might

not even realize that you have

be kind to yourself and keep showing up for your

own well-being. Well, that's

all I have time for today. I hope that you

found today's episode insightful and empowering.

Remember, you're not alone on this journey and there are

tools and resources available to support you every

step of the way until next time. Take care

of yourselves. Remember you are vibrant,

powerful, and unstoppable. Keep

shining, keep growing, and keep believing in

yourself.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. I hope you're feeling

inspired and ready to own your awesomeness. I love

sharing this space with you. And if you love today's episode,

do me a favor. Share it with a friend who could use some

extra inspiration. A quick rating and review

really helps too. Don't forget to subscribe so

you never miss an episode. Let's keep this conversation

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Until next time, keep shining with grace,

style, and a whole lot of sass.