Mental Focus, Peppermint, and Clarity on the Mountain
Enhancing concentration and peaceful productivity

Hello Friend!
As we step into January, the start of a fresh year often brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty. We all wrestle with moments of self-doubt—it’s part of being human. Recently, I had an experience that felt like a perfect reflection of this inner journey.
I hiked up a small knollish mountain, and the fog was rolling in. At first, it lingered in the distance, soft and unassuming. As I paused to send a photo to my family, the fog crept in around me—thick, consuming, and sudden. In what felt like mere moments, I was surrounded.
I decided to take five minutes to sit, close my eyes, and meditate. I focused on releasing some of the angst that had settled in my heart—just like the fog, it had arrived quietly but was hard to shake.
When I opened my eyes, the fog was gone. Completely. The landscape around me was crisp, clear, and open once again.
It struck me as a profound metaphor for the way emotions, worries, and doubts can cloud our clarity and how a few intentional moments of stillness can shift everything.
As we move into this new year, may we all find our version of that mountain, that pause, and that clarity. Even when the fog feels endless, the skies can clear.
Take a breath, pause, and trust. The view is still there—it’s just waiting for you to see it again.
Just in case you missed it - here is a replay of yesterdays event, we had so much fun blending with you all!
What You’ll Discover In This Newsletter
Clearing the Fog: The wonders of the human mind! Have you ever felt lost in a haze of doubt or overwhelm, only to realize that a few intentional moments can lift the fog and reveal clarity? Discover a personal story that might just mirror your own journey.
Notes of Discovery: A blog filled with practical tools and simple practices to help you sharpen your focus, calm your mind, and stay present in your daily routine.
Product Spotlight: The age-old herb, full of wisdom and clarity, offering its timeless refreshment to both mind and body. Discover blends and rituals to invite peppermint’s clarity into your day.
Aromatic Creation: Bringing freshness every time you wash your hands! Enjoy a simple, invigorating recipe that turns an everyday habit into a bright, uplifting ritual.
From The Vine: Learn why Peppermint Hydrosol is a child-friendly alternative, perfect for creating a focused and refreshing environment for young children.
How Can You Invite Peppermint Into Your Day?: Three simple ways to experience peppermint’s magic—breathe deeply with an inhaler, sharpen your mind with a diffuser blend, and ease tension with a soothing massage oil.
Words to Inspire: A reflection on peppermint’s sharp clarity and the sweet richness of life’s little moments, captured in a vivid literary quote
Notes of Discovery
Finding Focus in a Distracted World
In a time when our attention is constantly pulled in every direction, focus has become one of our most valuable resources. Whether it’s staying present in a conversation, finishing a creative project, or simply quieting a racing mind, finding and maintaining focus is essential for clarity and peace.
This week, I’m sharing a blog post that explores practical ways to cultivate focus in daily life. From mindful rituals to the flow of deep concentration, this resource offers powerful tools to help you stay centered amid the noise.
At the blog, you’ll also find a complimentary download for a complete guide: Essential Oils for Focus & Productivity. This guide is an even deeper exploration of how aromatherapy can cultivate mental focus and achieve your goals.
Product Spotlight
Peppermint Essential Oil: A Timeless Ally for Mind & Body
Peppermint has been celebrated for centuries, not only for its vibrant scent but for its ability to invigorate the mind. When the to-do list grows long, and distractions abound, peppermint essential oil is your secret weapon for staying sharp, alert, and productive.
Whether it’s a foggy morning mind, tired muscles, or an afternoon energy slump, peppermint oil offers a breath of freshness that feels like a crisp breeze on a summer day.
How can you invite peppermint into your day?
Quick Mental Reset:
Add 2 to 5 drops of peppermint essential oil (Mentha × piperita) to an aromatherapy inhaler. Pair it with 5 drops of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) for calming balance, or lemon (Citrus limon) for an extra burst of freshness. Carry it with you and take a deep breath whenever you need a moment of clarity or calm.A Burst of Productivity:
Diffuse 2 drops of peppermint essential oil (Mentha × piperita), 2 drops of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and 2 drops of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in your workspace for 15 minutes. Together, they create an atmosphere that sharpens focus, calms the mind, and supports sustained concentration.Mental Stress Release:
Dilute 5 drops of peppermint essential oil (Mentha × piperita) and 5 drops of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in 1 fl oz (30 ml) of carrier oil. Massage onto tired shoulders, neck, and scalp to release deeply held tension and encourage a sense of calm and clarity.
Peppermint essential oil brings clarity, refreshment, and a sense of renewed focus to your day.
Aromatic Creations
Refreshing Citrus Mint Foaming Hand Soap
Washing your hands becomes such a delight with the vibrant pairing of peppermint and lemon. The crisp, minty coolness mingles with sunny citrus notes, creating a scent that feels both refreshing and uplifting. This simple foaming hand soap recipe turns an everyday habit into a bright little moment of self-care—a pause to reset, breathe deeply, and carry on with clarity.
Ingredients
8 fl oz (240 ml) Unscented Castile Soap
30 drops Lemon Oil (Citrus limon)
30 drops Peppermint Oil (Mentha × piperita)
Directions
Make this recipe in one 250 ml glass foamer bottle with a pump.
Add the castile soap to your foamer bottle.
Add the lemon and peppermint essential oils.
Fill the bottle with distilled water, leaving space for the pump.
Screw on the foaming pump top and shake gently to combine.
Every pump releases an energizing burst of lemon and peppermint—invigorating, clarifying, and oh-so-refreshing!
Keep this blend by your sink, and let each hand wash be a quick moment of joy in your day.
https://www.aromatics.com/blogs/recipes/citrus-mint-foaming-hand-soap
From The Vine
When working with children and essential oils, safety is always the top priority. Their smaller bodies and developing systems respond differently to potent plant extracts, which means choosing gentle alternatives is key.
We often receive questions about using peppermint essential oil with young children, and it’s such an important topic to address with care.
Question: Is peppermint essential oil safe for children under five?
Answer: While peppermint (Mentha × piperita) essential oil is loved for its invigorating properties, it isn’t recommended for children under five due to potential skin irritation, sensitivity, and even neurotoxic effects when applied near the face.
But there’s a gentle alternative—peppermint hydrosol! It offers the same crisp, refreshing aroma in a much milder form, making it perfect for little ones. Use it to create a focused atmosphere, refresh a room, or add a calming touch to linens and bathwater.
Stay Inspired!
In Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys, this vivid imagery captures the contrast between peppermint's sharp clarity and raspberry's rich sweetness. Peppermint acts as a jolt to the senses—clear, crisp, and awakening—cutting through haze and offering focus in a single breath.
It’s a reminder that moments of clarity often arrive unexpectedly, sharp and bright against the backdrop of life’s complexities.
Peppermint swirled into my nostrils, sharp as glass, then raspberry almost too sweet, like too-ripe fruit.
As you move through your week, peppermint’s invigorating essence guides you—whether in an inhaler, a hand soap, or a moment of stillness. Breathe in, reset, and find your clarity.
I love hearing from you! Share your thoughts in the comments on the online post—I’ll be sure to respond and join the conversation. 💕
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