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Have you ever felt that life moves in mysterious patterns, with ups and downs that repeat themselves? In reality, there is a hidden rhythm guiding us through life. Think about it as your life’s map. It guides you through all the processes, from childhood to adolescence, adulthood, and beyond.
The moment we take our first breath is when we embark on this journey which is our own life. We live our experiences in seven-year cycles, which guide our path throughout our existence. It’s a blueprint that lets us venture out into the external world and lay a foundation for the next cycle to come.
So, why not embark on this journey together and explore how each seven-year life cycle aligns with human development? As we delve into this theory, let’s explore how you can use this knowledge to guide yourself and reach happiness.
Understanding the 7-Year Cycles: Exploring Life Patterns
A fascinating aspect of life is how it unfolds in cycles and patterns that weave through our experiences and define our path. The theory of seven-year cycles, first mentioned in the 20th century by philosopher Rudolf Steiner, offers us a glimpse into the rhythmic nature of our life. But, how do these cycles affect our lives?
According to Steiner, we all live our lives through ten cycles, each lasting seven years, from the moment we are born until 70 and beyond.
Throughout them, we pass through challenges, learn profound lessons, sharpen our physical and emotional instincts, and discover spiritual growth.
Think about it as a framework or map of your life, which allows us to understand and explore cyclical patterns. We observe repetitive patterns, growth periods, and transformative moments as we move through these cycles. Every seven years serve as checkpoints in our journey, reminding us of our ups and downs.
Whether we’re talking about:
- The foundation-building of childhood;
- The self-discovery of adolescence;
- The pursuit of stability in adulthood;
- The introspection of mid-life.
The cycles guide us through the chapters of our existence.
Body, Mind, and Spirit Transformations Every 7-Year Cycle
The seven-year cycles are more than just checkpoints in our life, as they also represent the profound changes that happen in our body, mind, and spirit.
Each of them brings a wave of change that challenges us, helps us find our own identity, and develop both physically and mentally.
- We soak up information like sponges as children, laying the groundwork for our later cognitive development.
- We then enter a new phase full of intellectual exploration, self-discovery, and self-expansion during adolescence.
- As we get older, we develop our problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
The cycles encourage us to embrace spiritual life, explore our consciousness, and strengthen our ties to who we are as human beings.
● The First Two 7-Year Cylces: Childhood Foundations, the Seeds of Growth, and Commitment to Life
The first seven years of our lives represent the foundation for what’s to come. It’s precisely the time when we start to learn, discover what’s around us, and show the first signs of our character.
We perceive childhood as the period of growing up. Steiner, on the other hand, believes that during childhood we are “growing down”, which means that the spirit is gradually incarnating into the physical body giving the child a stronger sense of self.
In the next seven-year cycle, from ages 7 to 14, we enter a new horizon of knowledge and self-development. As our cognitive abilities advance, we understand things more easily, start to define our personality, and begin to interact deeper with others, forming personal relationships.
It’s also the time when our body is very sensitive to external factors, making us more prone to diseases. However, when we overcome these challenges, a rebirth occurs.
● Ages 14 to 21: Adolescence, Self-Discovery, and Wild Emotions
Adolescence — is a stage of life that frequently elicits a mix of curiosity, perplexity, and wild emotions. This seven-year cycle is a whirlwind of personal growth, change, and the emergence of our unique selves. It’s also a time of uncertain relationships, conflicts, battling identity issues, pursuing our passions, and discovering our sexuality.
During adolescence, we are also driven by a force to discover everything, fall in love, and then out of love, as well as form friendships. To determine who we are, we might discover new interests and experiment with them. It’s also the time when we set boundaries and challenge authority, asserting our independence.
● Ages 21 to 35: Transitioning into Adult Life, Building Stability, and Establishing Roots
As we enter young adulthood, we find ourselves in a critical period of life. We navigate the responsibilities and complexities of life and pursue higher education and careers. It’s a time when new beginnings, stability, and roots are being established in many different areas of our lives.
Young adulthood is also the time when we usually reach financial independence and build relationships. We might deepen our relationships that started earlier in life, form new connections and consider marriage. We work hard to establish our identity, pursuing our goals and aspirations while juggling the responsibilities of daily life.
It’s a period of development, maturing, and self-discovery during which we sow the seeds of stability and lay the foundation for future chapters.
● Ages 35 to 42: Experiencing Mid-Life Crisis and Questioning
We’re all scared of the mid-life crisis, aren’t we? Many people find themselves in the middle of a transformative stage as they reach the 35 to 42 age range. This seven-year cycle usually comes with feelings of reflection, the need for introspection, and doubt. As we struggle with the fact that time is passing and we haven’t met all the goals in our life, we might start to reflect on the decisions we’ve made and reevaluate our priorities.
We may face our deepest desires, fears, and constraints during this period of profound self-discovery. However, we shouldn’t look at it as a crisis, as we can also grow and transform ourselves as we consider fresh perspectives on the future.
● Ages 42 to 49: Wondering and Soul Searching
When we reach the age range of 42 to 49, we frequently experience a period of reflection and introspection. This seven-year cycle is characterized by a strong desire to discover fulfillment, meaning, and purpose in our lives. We might reflect on our decisions, reevaluate our principles, and look for a better fit between our inner aspirations and the world around us.
In this stage, we might feel compelled to follow our passions, alter our careers or relationships, or start new adventures. We might yearn for self-improvement and look for ways to express ourselves. It can be a time of exploration and self-discovery as we reconnect with our inner wisdom and re-discover what truly makes us happy and fulfilled.
● 49 and Beyond: Continuity and Reflection in Later Life
As we live beyond the age of 49, we enter a period of continuity and reflection. We now have the chance to reflect on the chapters we’ve outlived, celebrate our wins, and make peace with any unresolved challenges. We keep growing, learning, and adapting as we embrace the knowledge we have accumulated over a lifetime of experiences.
The later years present an opportunity to develop gratitude, strengthen relationships with loved ones, and share our experiences with the younger generations. It is a period for reflection, one in which we can consider the significance and direction of our lives and find satisfaction in the legacies we leave behind.
Finding True Happiness: Applying the Wisdom of the Cycles
Embracing the seven-year cycles of life allows you to align with your true self and navigate your path with more clarity, purpose, and fulfillment. Accepting the ups and downs and finding harmony within the constantly shifting landscape of our experiences is what it means to embrace life’s rhythm.
It will give you the chance to think back on all the lessons you’ve learned and how they’ve shaped the person you are today.
My advice for you would be to consider writing your biography, as it allows you to uncover special moments you might have forgotten, stimulate your brain, and helps you align with your true self.
You could even try to answer some questions for each cycle that are available in the Happiness Journey Program. Consider changing your life for the better, and embracing change in your path to happiness! Check out Wity’s coaching programs!
