The basic definition of intellectual health is having curiosity or a strong desire to learn. Our mind is a muscle, and just like ever other muscle in the body, our mind has a "use it or lose it" principle. This means that the minute we stop developing our minds, we start to lose it. It's a simple concept, but for many MANY adults, this area of wellness gets forgotten quickly.
Think about it. When was the last time you decided to learn something new? When was the last time you felt passionate about a field of study or a developing a talent? When was the last time you challenged your mind with something other than exhaustion?
Sometimes as a mom, my wants and desires get put on the back burner. And by sometimes, I mean most days. However, my intellectual wellness downfall started long before I had babies. My last semester of college I discovered a fiery passion for women's health. After I graduated, I applied for grad school and after a year of waiting for paperwork to be processed, I was accepted! At the same time my husband was in school full-time and his ability to work was diminishing under his workload. The decision came down to me finding a full-time job or me attending grad school. I choose a job and let my dreams of a Masters fall to the wayside.
That was almost three years ago. The time I picked up a text book was three years ago. The last time I did anything I was passionate about was three years ago. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom. I just don't have a fiery passion for cooking and cleaning and changing diapers. I wouldn't even say I'm passionate about playing with my daughter or talking with my husband. I love doing these things, but it's not the same mental stimulation I had in college. I do these things because I love my family.
Just before I started this blog, I was feeling like I'd lost a part of myself to motherhood. Again, I love being a mom. I just thought I had to choose either motherhood or me. After some deep contemplation and long talks with loved ones, I realized I didn't have to choose one or the other. I can be an awesome mom AND help women achieve personal wellness! So I started this blog to get my fiery passion burning again. Ya know what? It worked! I am an awesome mom. Spending an hour or two a day on something I love has not diminished my relationship with my baby girl.
In truth, I believe this has strengthened my ability to be an awesome mom. I'm not worn down at the end of the day. I don't feel like a drone, lifelessly performing my duties. I feel alive! I feel passion for life again! I feel like me! That in turn gives me the energy to give my daughter the attention she deserves. It gives me the desire to help her find something she can be passionate about. I realize a one-year-old doesn't completely understand passion, but she understands joy and happiness! Since starting this blog, we've explored the world of toddlers with new curiosity. My little one is growing and developing her mind. It's so fun to watch, but even more fun to be a part of.
Moral of the story, improving my intellectual health has improved my life. It has improved my family relationships. It has improved my emotional stability. It has reminded me of my worth. This week, I encourage you to find something to be passionate about. It can be something you studied in school, a talent you've always wanted to develop, or just finding an answer to a long-standing question. Bring curiosity and desire back into your life. Challenge your mind. I promise you will find that improving your intellectual wellness with improve your understanding of self-worth. You will find that you are of great worth. You will see it in yourself and you will believe it's true. Why? Because you are worth it.
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