When I was in college studying to become an SLP, I remember learning that there was this new brain development concept called Neuroplasticity.
Back then, it was a new idea, and research was just coming out on it. But it was so exciting. It meant that brains are NOT fully developed in our late 20s as originally thought. We could continue to develop them all throughout our lives! Our brains have the power to be molded and shaped, no matter our age!
Recently, I heard this quote by Dr. Linda Page:
“Neuroplasticity is a 6-syllable word for hope.”
Wow. She’s absolutely right.
It’s Never. Too. Late.
What does this mean for you, as an Enneagram Nine? How can neuroplasticity give you hope?
It means that even if you’ve never known how to speak up and be seen and heard very well, you can still learn. Regardless of your age.
It means that even if you’ve never known how to keep commitments with yourself, you can start practicing, and eventually it can become easy. Even automatic.
It means that you are never too old to start listening to your inner desires and acting on them. You’re never too old to learn how to play an instrument, start a business or become an artist.
It also means that all of those enneagram nine struggles you find yourself facing can be changed as well. It means that the annoying enneagram nine sloth you may have, the conflict avoidance you feel you may be holding on to, that overeating, procrastination, or numbing of emotions that you dislike about yourself as a Nine- all of these things can be unlearned along with all the new things there are to learn. You can literally change your brain into what you want it to be, creating the life you want. If that’s not hope, I don’t know what is.
I’m 49 and just in the past 4 years, I’ve learned how to patiently parent kids with behavioral challenges, process my big emotions, and coach people’s brains.
In the past year, I taught myself how to comfortably share my thoughts and feelings on camera and teach large groups of adults. These two things terrified me before.
What Big Dreams Do You Have?
What do you want to start doing?
What do you want to stop doing?
What new skills do you want to learn?
Who do you want to become?
“I’m too old” is never a good excuse.
Neuroplasticity blows that out of the water.
Rather than letting your brain control you, take control of your brain. Create the peace in your life you want. Check out The Bold Nine if you would like some help. This is all much, much easier with the help of a coach.
