I'm in a "Seven Year"
Ch-ch-ch changes; Turn and face the strange
Very, very rarely do I write about my mental health issues. Despite years of education and efforts to remove the stigmas associated with mental health, culturally there still is little distinction between normal mental health issues, various levels of diagnosis, and full-blown crazy.
In addition, our culture also seems to view mental wellness gaps as a “flaw” in the person’s constitution. Often, mental episodes and breaks are classified as “something wrong,” “meltdowns” or “dramatic episodes.” In my opinion, that’s like saying a person is inherently flawed because they suffer from allergies. I think mental health hiccups are a natural human response to the world (and culture) we live in.
In addition, most Americans do not lead lifestyles that naturally - by biological chemistry and setup - dissipate and manage the frustration, disappointment, fear, worries, highlights, lowlights, and joys of life’s experiences. Nor do they often consider the symptoms and side effects of the American diet. But I think, during the pandemic and quarantine, Americans began to understand the possibilities and benefits of a holistically managed balanced lifestyle.
Tired all the time? Start by improving sleep and reducing carbohydrate intake. Tense, anxious, and nervous? Cut back the caffeine and get some exercise. Feeling lost, directionless, without purpose or inspiration? Start a journal. Down and depressed? Practice gratitude, meditate, and pray. And no matter what your mood, feelings, emotions, blood pressure issues, or mental challenges, shoot for the all-round miracle cure for instant relief: go for a walk outside.
While I do recognize that pharmaceuticals help a significant number of people manage their mental health challenges, I am also of the opinion that we should first:
Learn to deal with the unrealistic demands of American work culture and establish a healthy work/life balance.
Educate and address the neurological and mental effects of constant and addictive digital access.
Implement limits and policies concerning the public information produced by cultural influencers like social media, corporate news, foreign influences, subliminal messaging, and general fearmongering.
Recognize, address, and reverse our cultural disrespect and detachment that has led to our separation from nature.
In other words, before considering chemical prescriptions, consider your body’s own built-in mental health management systems for addressing the typical suffering and hope of human existence.
I’m also of the opinion that it takes a tad of crazy to tackle this life. For example, starting a small business, opening your heart to others, falling in love, calling out bad behavior, demanding democratic processes, running for office, seeking answers and accountability? Anyone who has experience in these will tell you — you’ve gotta be a little crazy to even consider it.
(Meanwhile — I’m sure that one or more readers are nodding their heads at my prescription-resistant fondness of a mad hatter’s mindset. “Ohhh,” they’re saying, “it all makes sense now. She’s crazy.” And, boom. I’ve been disparaged, dismissed, and disrespected. But ya know what? My crazy ideas, conversations, and hissy fits have significantly influenced our community and our regional culture, whether they admit that or not.)
But I digress…
American Boomers and Gen Xers are familiar with the term “The Seven Year Itch,” mostly due to the 1955 movie of the same name with Marilyn Monroe. Ever since, the seven-year itch -- a period of restless angst — has been a bit of an urban legend. But it is also founded on scientific fact.
Every cell in the human body is changed over a period of seven to ten years. Our bodies continually shed old cells and create new ones. Studies have shown that most cells, including skeletal tissue, are replaced every seven years. Some cells re-grow quickly; those found in human hearts lag, and in our brains, some cells never replace themselves. But on average, seven-year cycles are extremely important to doctors, teachers, social scientists, and psychiatrists.
We can influence our regeneration rates. Activation, or stimulation, is needed to excite and grow the new cells. Learn to play a musical instrument or speak a foreign language. Take up a new hobby or change careers. Being a couch potato will turn your body into a dusty pillow.
Being a couch potato will turn your body into a dusty pillow.
In addition to body, mind and spirit evolve every seven years. While some see life in a linear formation (you’re born, you work, you die) our lives are a series of cycles that bring opportunities for replenishment, rejuvenation, and reinvention. Many belief systems promote this view: philosophical, astrological, mystical, biological, and pedagogical. Track your life across this curious sequence, and you will discover every seventh year did represent a change or new stage.
The number seven recurs in nature and culture, religion, and art. Shakespeare wrote about the seven stages of man. There are seven continents and seven seas, seven days of the week, seven notes on the musical scale, and seven directions (forward, backward, up, down, left, right, and center).
Seven also recurs in religious beliefs including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Gnosticism (ancient non-Christian religions). The Bible tells us the world was built in seven days, that there are seven deadly sins, and seven Seals of God from the Bible's Book of Revelation.
Every seven years, there are also shifts and changes in the cosmos that influence our lives. Two planets guide the seven-year cycle: Uranus and Saturn. Uranus represents liberation, change, rebellion, and innovation. Saturn wants us to grow and evolve and nudges us with a big dose of tough love. Who you thought you were changes, along with your goals and vision for your life.
I’m in a “Seven Year.” That’s my explanation for my current condition of chaos, creativity, and crazy.
I’m shedding a significant number of social expectations, and have spent a year exploring directions I may or may not want to travel further. My sleep schedule is whacked (I start work around 11 p.m. and typically work until 3 a.m.)
I’m in a “Seven Year.” That’s my explanation for my
current condition of chaos, creativity, and crazy.
I have decided the next cycle of my life will be immersed in creativity. After decades in journalism, copywriting, publishing, teaching, and management, and a perspective-changing pandemic, this feels intuitively right. It feels like I finally have a year when I can rest, process, explore, wallow, wander, and begin to work with and naturally manage my slightly crazy characteristics.
Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide, and the primary reason why a person dies of suicide every 14 minutes - the 11th leading cause of death in the US. General Anxiety Order (GAD) affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, with women twice as likely to be affected as men. GAD often co-occurs with major depression.
Perhaps you are going through major changes and do not understand why. Are you in or near a “Seven Year?” Here’s a brief overview of your body and mind transformation through 7-year cycles.
SEVEN-YEAR CYCLES & TIPS:
0-7 years: Grounding
Learning to trust and feel safe in the world. A time of great growth and development, physically and mentally. Here, we should build strong relationships with family and friends, explore the world around us, and learn new things.
7-14 years: Finding our voice.
We begin to develop our own sense of identity and learn to express ourselves. Here, we explore our interests and passions, develop communication skills, and build self-confidence.
14-21 years: Developing independence.
Here, we take responsibility for ourselves and our actions. This is when we goals, take risks, and learn to make decisions for ourselves. During the third cycle, we become fully conscious and our emotional range expands in all directions. Is it no wonder this is a traumatic period for most of us?
21-28 years: Building stability.
We begin to establish ourselves in the world and build a foundation for our future. We focus on developing a career, building financial stability, and establishing healthy habits. We enlarge and refine our lives (or not).
28-35 years: Finding meaning.
In this cycle we seek out purpose and meaning in our lives. We explore spirituality, volunteering, and pursuing hobbies and interests outside of work. The fifth cycle is one where the creative process of the mind becomes most active.
35-42 years: Making a difference.
We begin to focus on making a positive impact in the world. It’s time to start giving back to the community, mentoring others, and pursuing leadership roles.
42-49 years: Embracing change.
This cycle is about embracing change and letting go of the past. Take risks, try new things, and embrace new opportunities. The seventh cycle is a period of major change often with tremendous unrest related to a desire to make a mark in life.
49-56 years: Taking stock and re-evaluating our priorities.
Reflect on past experiences, set new goals, and pursue new interests. In subsequent cycles, we grow a deeper acceptance and understanding of people in our lives, and appreciate the differences between us and our friends; we also look to the good rather than the bad in people.
56-63 years: Sharing wisdom.
During this cycle, we begin to share our knowledge and wisdom with others.
63-70 years: Embracing change - Again.
Let go of old habits and beliefs. Try new things, take risks, and embrace new opportunities.
70-77 years: Simplify life.
Focus on what truly matters. Declutter your home and your mind, spend time with loved ones, and pursue activities that bring you joy.
77-84 years: Find peace.
Seek peace and contentment. Tips for this cycle include practicing mindfulness, spending time in nature, and pursuing spiritual practices that bring us peace.
84-91 years: Let it go.
Here, we begin to let go of our physical bodies and prepare for the next stage of our journey. Seek peace in the present moment.
The 7-year life cycle is just a general guideline — and everyone's journey is different. So here are just a few more tips that will help you no matter what cycle you are in:
Check in with your core values and ensure you're living by them. We can only live life on autopilot for so long.
Identify things in your life that aren't aligned with your authentic self.
Embrace different viewpoints rather than defending your ego.
There are moments when we all feel lost or adrift. That’s why we have names for human stress points, such as the quarter-life crisis (at around 25) or the mid-life crisis (in the 50s), and the ‘seven-year itch’. During these times, our mental health hiccups, hissy fits, malaise, and meandering are all a natural part of the process.
I am changed. During the pandemic, I knew we would all be changed somehow, that our culture would shift, our lives would fluctuate and we would all be modified in some form or fashion. It has taken me longer than I had anticipated to work my way through the transformation process.
But I am now in a Seven Year and have spent an entire cycle re-evaluating, reflecting, and exploring new hobbies and ideas. Frankly, I’m looking forward to moving into a cycle of decluttering my home and mind, spending time with loved ones, and pursuing activities that bring me joy. I’m practicing mindfulness, spending time in nature, and pursuing spiritual practices that bring me peace.
I’m not crazy, it’s just this cycle I’m in.