October 12, 2020
Everything in our universe is made up of energy - including us. We are all connected, and this has been evidenced more than ever since this past March. We tend to absorb energy from other people and our environment, and empaths are particularly sensitive to this exchange. This can be a good thing if we’re surrounded by loving people who are grounded and secure. However, in addition to the changing season that can affect the state of our well-being (less sunlight, colder temps), we are faced with the additional challenge of being six months into a pandemic as well as increasing societal tensions - all factors which have energy-depleting effects that can throw all of us off our game.
How do we protect our energy amid all of these challenging circumstances? Pretty much the same way we would at any other time, but we just have to be a little more vigilant to keep our energy up, our vibes high, and immune systems strong.
CREATE HEALTHY BOUNDARIES. If you don’t already have healthy boundaries in place, be patient with yourself while you create some - this isn’t an overnight process. Healthy boundaries can look like:
- Practicing self-awareness and learning how to listen to your gut
- Knowing your own limits of what you are willing to accept, and lovingly making your limits understood to those testing them
- Not doing things to please others in an attempt to gain acceptance and love
- Understanding that it’s not your job to fix everything for everyone (learning the difference between helping and enabling can be a tough lesson, too)
- Acknowledging that your feelings are valid
- Removing yourself if you don’t feel physically or emotionally safe
- It’s okay to say “no” (and it’s even okay to not provide an excuse as to why)
Not projecting your own negative emotions onto those around you, and recognizing when others are projecting theirs onto you.
Give yourself grace if you don’t already have these boundaries in place. Many of us weren’t raised in an environment where healthy boundaries were modeled or respected. This takes time and practice, and life gives us plenty of opportunity for that! Putting boundaries in place when the people in your life are not used to you having them might change the dynamics of your relationships and can be an extra challenge because they might not be understood or received well. It’s worth the sting of disapproval to eventually gain the peace you deserve in your life. Peace is actually our natural state. Showing yourself love, kindness and respect will help to get you there, and provide a guide to others of how you’d like to be treated.
BE COMPASSIONATE. Life is challenging as it is, and everyone is struggling a little extra right now. If someone is being short tempered with you, it’s most likely because they’re also exhausted and stressed, and has very little to do with you. Instead of taking it personally, try to show some compassion and patience (the way you would hope someone would treat you). This can have a positive boomerang effect, and you have just created positive energy in the space because you’re coming from a place of love.
FOCUS ON THE GOOD. Did you ever hear the expression “what you focus on grows?” Being around negative people, listening to bad news, reading disturbing stories can all chip away at you little by little. Engaging on certain topics is difficult to balance because while it’s our societal obligation to be involved, it can be a big energy drain. Of course it’s important to stay informed and sometimes we have to be around certain people. Protecting your energy is limiting your exposure to negativity and filling yourself up with the things that give you joy and peace. The simplest advice would be to not engage in perpetuating the negativity. There are plenty of positives to focus on that can keep you informed and engaged, fuel your energy, and even help others collectively as well. Adjust your social media feed to reflect those positives. Focus on what you are FOR, not against. Focus on the GOOD that is happening, not the bad. Be a part of what is going right in the world.
PRIORITIZE. Try to only take on what you can comfortably handle. Our society has equated our worth with how busy we are - the busier the better. Keeping up that pace can be exhausting - especially when complications arise, which is a guarantee in life. Don't over schedule. Let some things go. Prioritizing downtime for yourself is as equally important as any other responsibilities that require your attention, energy and time. Time alone, time to heal, time to rest. YOU are your #1 priority, and you are worthy of this. If you don’t make time for your wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for your illness.
CREATE A BUBBLE. This is a visualization technique that you can use when you’re about to have a difficult conversation, or be around someone who requires a lot from you, or if you’re feeling like your energy could be effected in a negative way for any reason. Picture a bubble of white light forming around you. Your energy remains inside, protected and unscathed, and the energy from anyone else stays on the outside of the bubble where it can’t reach you or affect you. I also do this when I’m driving and feel like I could use a little extra protection, too.
WEAR BLACK TOURMALINE. This is a powerful grounding and protection stone that helps to get rid of negative energy while attracting positive energy. Because it has absorbed all the colors of the rainbow of the minerals around it, it appears black. It balances positive and negative, and works on the balancing and grounding of all of the energy centers in our bodies (chakras).
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. We tend to ignore the basic messages that our bodies give us to let us know when something requires attention. Rest when you’re tired. Eat when you’re hungry, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If your gut is trying to tell you something, listen to it.
GROUND YOURSELF. I got into detail this past Friday on the topic of GROUNDING.
We each have the power within us to create the energy we want. It’s a conscious choice we are given with every moment - even when we are the only person in the room.
No comments:
Post a Comment