By Joke Kujenya
TRUE BALANCE begins with the mind. That was the central message from women’s empowerment advocate Laila St. Matthew-Daniel, who marked World Mental Health Day on October 10 with a call for reflection on mental wellbeing and emotional balance among midlife women.
She observed that many women appear calm on the outside while quietly managing internal struggles.
“Midlife can feel like standing at the centre of many worlds, work, home, relationships, ageing parents, adult children, changing bodies, shifting dreams,” she noted.
St. Matthew-Daniel explained that while women have learned to handle these diverse responsibilities, few pause to ask themselves how they are truly coping internally.
According to her, beneath the capable exterior often lies a mind burdened with too much, “the noise, the guilt, the unspoken worries.”
She urged women to see mental care as a necessity rather than an indulgence, emphasising that emotional wellbeing is the foundation upon which family, work, and overall wellness depend.
Marking the global awareness day, she stated that caring for one’s mind “is not a luxury” but the very base that sustains every other aspect of life.
Her message reiterated that balance does not necessarily mean doing less but rather prioritising what genuinely nourishes the self.
“Balance isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what sustains you,” she explained.
She further pointed out that true mental wellbeing starts when women learn to honour their limits, listen to their emotions, and give themselves permission to rest and recalibrate.
“The mind, when nurtured, becomes our greatest ally, not our loudest critic,” she added.
St. Matthew-Daniel’s remarks also introduced the ongoing work of Clarity Quest Conversations, a reflective platform designed to help women in midlife pause, reconnect, and rediscover their rhythm of balance and inner peace.
The space encourages open discussions about managing transitions, self-care, and the evolving emotional landscape that accompanies the midlife stage.
Her statement invited women to engage in heart-led conversations and support systems that validate their experiences.
She stressed that mental health awareness should not end with the World Mental Health Day observance but continue as a daily practice of self-compassion and mindfulness.
“Mental wellbeing begins when we honour our limits,” she affirmed, reminding women that it is both valid and essential to seek rest and reflection amidst the responsibilities of modern life.
The message captured the spirit of the global theme for World Mental Health Day, recognising the importance of psychological resilience and personal balance as vital components of overall health.
St. Matthew-Daniel encouraged women who resonate with this message to connect through Clarity Quest Conversations for ongoing dialogue and community support.
She concluded that conversations such as these remain vital for promoting collective healing and empowering women to sustain mental and emotional stability while navigating life’s multiple roles.
