Did you know that according to the Maya and ancient Egyptians, July 26 was the start of the New Year? In many primitive societies, July 26 was a day of celebration, letting go of the old and making intentions for the new.  In the spirit of the Mayan new year, let us make a new resolution. Let us live each day as if we are living our best self. What does that mean? Living your best self may mean something different to each one of us. It can be loving ourselves more, empowering ourselves with positive language and actions and living a healthier life.

The second half of life is an opportunity to live your best self.

It may be challenging to shift gears from a lifetime of putting others before yourself like bringing up your children, running a household, and even putting your career and personal life on hold for another. Whether you have been a full-time caregiver of an aging parent, a babysitter for your grandchildren, or working in a job that no longer fulfills you, many of you have felt depleted rather than uplifted as you step into the second half of your life.

However, it is never too late to look at your life with fresh eyes. Being your best self is a process, no matter your age. It requires checking in and asking what your deepest needs are and believing that you are the best judge. If you feel you are putting on a show and maintaining a false self to the world, this does not align with living your best self. That is not to say that sometimes, while growing up, your younger self had to present itself to the world a certain way to survive and thrive, but those days are long over.  In this second half of life, it is imperative to embrace the wisdom of who you truly are.

How do you begin to let go of the old and bring in the new? Journaling is a powerful way that can lead to self-exploration. You may want to write responses to the following questions.

1. What needs to change in my life to feel fulfilled?
2. What do I want more than anything?
3. What’s preventing me from my greatest desire?
4. What activities assist me in losing track of time?

This last question is important because you may not feel comfortable journal writing but you may feel nature, meditation or yoga help you lose track of time thereby assisting you in getting in touch with a deeper place of discovery. Thoreau, author of Walden, went to the woods so that he could slow down, look inward and tap into the deepest part of his soul. This process of going deep within also assists in the healing you need to let go of what no longer serves you.

 If your health is not optimal you may not have the energy to entertain the notion of being your best self. Health is the condition of being sound in body, mind and soul. Listen to how you speak about yourself as you age. Do you wake up every morning with pain, stiffness and then mumble that it must be because you are growing older? You are what you think about, how you move, what you eat, and how you rest. To achieve good health, you must be pro-active in tending to your body through proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep. The mind must be both stimulated with challenging data and also periodically stilled in order to recharge. Meditation and deep diaphragmatic breath can help quiet the mind.

As the author Maya Angelou said, “If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?” Self-care is essential during the discovery period of what you want most in your life right now. Let this be the day you quiet yourself, ask questions, and let go of the roadblocks that are preventing you from living every day as your best self.

About the Authors:

Dr. Lisa Cowley, a holistic chiropractor and nutritional counselor of over 25 years, along with her husband, Victor Westgate, a high school educator of 34 years, are authors of Pack Lightly: Making Sense of the Second Half of Your Life. You can learn more at: www.joyinaging.com