This month is all about energy. We spend it, we lament it, we curse it, and we desire it. But…do we understand it? Well, the Burnout Queens have some pretty simple ideas and solutions for nurturing your energy, so let’s get started.
First of all, there is no one infinite pot of energy to draw on, sorry but it’s true. This came as a big shock to me when I was totally burned out. I had always figured when I used up my energy from one pot I’d just switch to another and keep on trekking! When I realised that I had only one pot of energy to draw from I began treating it like a pot of gold.
Energy is nature’s pulse.
Energy is one of our most basic needs. Energy is nature’s pulse. Think about nature and how we never question the shift between high energy and low energy, activity and rest; think of the tides and the seasons, think of plants and animals. Well, us human beings also need that rhythmic movement between activity and rest. We need to learn to spend and recover energy.
When we find ourselves out of energy, running on empty, it is usually because we have overridden that natural rhythmic pulse. We work long hours, we work without breaks, we divide our energy by constant multi-tasking, we keep going even when we know we are exhausted, we get the minimum amount of sleep we can function on, we grab empty calories to stave off hunger, and if you are truly a highly sensitive Burnout Queen you put everyone elses’ needs before your own.
HSPs are in touch with their energy flow,
but often ignore it’s needs!
HSPs’ energy levels quite naturally have peaks and troughs, often big ones. Some may say you need to get a handle on these and even them out, but not us. We know these highs and lows of energy are important to you as a highly feeling and creative individual. We wouldn’t dream of telling you to limit them, instead we suggest that you create/add buffer zones or equilibrium phases to your natural HSP energy cycles. For example, if you have been enjoying a period of peak creative energy plan an ‘equilibrium space’. Enjoy this shift in pace instead of seeing it in a negative light of being uninspired, lacking inspiration or motivation, even lazy…you get my drift! Of course, you may experience a ‘depleted’ level of energy after finishing your masterpiece, that is part of the nature’s cycle of expenditure and restoration. It’s about perception. Respect the shift, savour the quiet energy, enjoy your downtime, and take care of simpler, slower aspects of life.
We all need times when we step out of the race, stop soaking up information, and shift our energy from doing doing doing to being being being. We need downtime. Downtime is productive time.
Downtime is time to think, to rest, to restore, to create, to
contemplate, to breathe, to love,
to find and refind your sense of Self.
Nurturing your energy flow doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. It doesn’t even have to take up much time. What it does take is awareness and a simple question.
We promised you a simple, doable (dare we say inspiring…yes we dare!) inspiring way of nourishing and nurturing your energy flow. We call it…P*I*E*S!
P is for Physical: Protecting your fundamental sources of energy: food, fluids, breathing, and rest.
I is for Intellectual: Keeping your mental energy up by challenging yourself with new learning.
E is for Emotional: Staying in touch with your emotions and expressing them.
S is for Spiritual: Living with Spirit means slowing down and listening to your inner voice.
Put it all together into one simple but life changing question to ask yourself on a daily basis…
Am I taking care of my energy needs Physically, Intellectually,
Emotionally, and Spiritually TODAY? P*I*E*S
Now, there is one last thing I think we should talk about around this topic of energy and that is…Aging! Ok, there I’ve said it. We lose our energy as we age, right? Not necessarily. Some women find they have more energy with age as they grow into being comfortable with who they are and freer to pursue and express their uniqueness.
As we age well our choices about how we spend our energy may undergo a complete renaissance. We may choose to spend our energy differently; we may desire different things, pursue different activities, we may decide to change paths completely or live a totally different lifestyle. Of course there may be a few more creaks and groans but each day as we age is an opportunity to initiate life changing choices.
Dance to your hearts content, but then catch your breath, find that
rhythm, and listen to your own wise voice.
Yes, my loves, with awareness, commitment, and a few simple changes you can fall in love with your energy. Who would have thought it could be as easy as, you got it…
P*I*E*S
Until Next Time…Grab Life by the Crown!
P.S. The BOQs would love to hear from you! Leave your wisdom and comments in the box below.
P.S.S. We’re now on Instagram! Our handle is THEBURNOUTQUEENS, of course!