“Why Do I Feel So Crazy?” Understanding the Emotional Solar Plexus Is a Midlife Game Changer

It gets me some kind of hot to hear women referred to as "too sensitive" or "too much."

And maybe no surprise that this pisses me off because I'm defined emotionally.

That's me.

I am the one who's "too sensitive."

Ladies, I invite you all to say, "FUCK THAT."

There's no such thing as "too sensitive" or "too much."

We are human beings--we came into these human suits in part to FEEL.

So let's talk about the Emotional Solar Plexus.

The circled center is the Emotional Solar Plexus. Is your defined (colored in) or undefined (white)?

ESP is an Awareness and a Motor Center

The Emotional Solar Plexus (or ESP for short) is an awareness and a motor center (at least for now. 2027 has big changes in store for this center.).

Awareness centers hold the energy that helps us process different experiences in life. (The Ajna holds mental awareness, the spleen holds physical awareness, and the ESP holds emotional awareness.) They hold potential and possibility for us.

Motor centers give us energy to move forward/take action. (The ESP uses emotions to fuel this, while the sacral uses life force energy, the heart uses willpower and determination, and the root uses stress.) Keep in mind that emotions are Energy in -->motion.

Ultimately, the ESP helps us make sense of our experiences so that we can learn and grow, developing emotional depth along the way. And it governs not only emotional awareness, but also decision-making (for those who have it defined) and creativity.

Given that it's an awareness center too, it's so important that we stay present through our emotions rather than make them mean something about who we are. I know how challenging this can be when every day feels like a crossroads with major life decisions arising. Do I want to stay in my career? Do I still love my partner? Do I like where I live?

Despite how strongly you feel--especially with your hormones all over the place--you are not your emotions. As Ra said, "there is no truth in the now" when it comes to the ESP.

I talk about this on the pod, too. Episode 61 is the first in a 2-part series on the emotional rollercoaster of midlife.

Listen here on Apple, here on Spotify, or here on You Tube. Remember to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

So how do you deal with the mood swings of midlife?

I believe that it's all about awareness.

For example, if you know that you're undefined emotionally, and you're crying at the stoplight when "Nothing Compares to You" comes on your playlist while your daughter is in the car, then simply noticing--hmm, maybe there's something about your energetic connection that makes you more emotional in her presence.

Then it stops meaning quite so much, right?

You can start looking at those emotions as passing energy, and especially as an undefined ESP, you don't identify with it.

Or when you're defined emotionally and you start bawling at Cynthia Erivo's cover of NCTY and you realize that it's literally what you're here on this planet to do. Emote, sister! Maybe it hits a little harder when you're in the low of your wave, maybe not. Just don't make it the be-all/end-all of who you are. Don't judge yourself for the "silly tears." Let that emotion travel right up and out of you (and maybe give some thanks to Prince for writing such a kickass song for vocalists to share with the world).

Remember that if you're ESP is undefined, you take on and amplify others' emotions. (That doesn't mean that you don't have your own feelings--you do. You just tend to be more even-keeled when you're alone than an emotional would be.)

And if it's defined, you broadcast emotion. You're the one who wakes up in a shit mood sometimes "without any reason." Same goes for being super joyful. Thankfully, it works both ways!

Why this awareness changes everything

When you understand how your emotional center is meant to operate...

• You stop making yourself wrong for being "too much."

• You give yourself grace during creative lulls or emotional lows.

• You reclaim your power by understanding how your emotions actually work.

Stop and think for a hot second how much of a game changer it is to truly see yourself as purposefully feeling versus being "too much."

This is why I love human design :)

If you're curious about how it feels in the body, check out my post "What Does Authority Feel Like in the Body?" which takes a look at the embodiment of all of the Authorities.

How to use Emotional wisdom to feel better in midlife

Awareness is always the first step.

And in that comes so much power.

Because that's where change can happen.

Remember that your emotions are fuel--they help you understand where and why to move on things.

They aren't flaws, but rather powerful information from our bodies about the state of our world. If you've been tamping them down, I invite you to instead start listening.

Allow the feelings to arise and pass.

Notice patterns.

Learn your design and who you came here to be, and get curious about the conditioning that's telling you not to feel certain ways.

Emotions = creativity, energy, expression. Knowing your ESP means owning your fire, sister!

If you want to dive into your emotional landscape through HD, I invite you to book a free Midlife Mapping call with me. We will talk about your ESP, the challenges you're having, and talk about ways to work together to support you.

And get your free Perimenopause Survival Guide here. It's gonna be another great tool in your midlife toolkit!