Recently I was feeling flat and despondent chatting to a coaching friend, she picked up that I was really lacking in energy. She asked “what’s causing the lack of energy.” At first, I couldn’t identify it. I started with excuses like busy weekend, late nights etc.
However when I was honest with myself I felt it was like a block. I was asked “what’s causing this block?” I started to go into the denial again, looking for excuses. What I discovered that it was other people’s energy blocking me, it felt like this energy was wrapping me up like into a blanket.
I had taken on another project and even though I enjoyed it, it was still taking up lot of my energy. When I wasn’t working on it, I was thinking about it. The flow on effect was, it was stopping me working on my other projects, and my energy and time was being robbed from me. All this was contributing to feeling despondent, procrastinating and a feeling of overwhelm sneaking in. This brought me to the realization of the importance creating a balance in our lives.
My friend mentioned that it was funny how we build cages for ourselves. That comment started me thinking, we work a 9 – 5 job that’s like a cage, we can’t wait till 5pm arrives, or the weekend, so we are free. When you work at home, the idea is being able work when you want to, do things that you enjoy, have flexibility. However if you are not careful we end up building another cage, a good name for that could be cabin fever.
The concept of cages started me thinking and asking questions like; are cages like our unconscious comfort zone? Are we more comfortable having a cage or comfort zone around us? How many of us are so focused on outside factors that we forget about looking after ourselves? To help or be of service to others, we are required to look after ourselves first, so we can be there for our family and loved ones.
My friend suggested a tip, which I love, and it’s called Daily Delicious Habits. This is a list you make of the things you love or enjoying doing. eg: walking, having a nice cup of coffee, enjoying a bubble bath, cooking your favourite dish, eating or doing something decadent. Create the list and keep adding to it daily, some things you may only do occasionally, others more frequently. The aim is choose two each day, and build those two things into your day.
They don’t have to be expensive, and my friend commented it creates a feeling of abundance; it removes the lack and scarcity many feel, and over time you discover you are living the life you wished for.
Life is about balance. It’s natural to have the highs and lows in life, we only need to look at the seasons, winter a time of reflection and a time of rest. Spring is about new growth, new beginnings, and we see this in the form of flowers coming into bloom, planting seeds and young plants, lambs, calves being born. Summer arrives and we can enjoy the fruits of spring and our labours, summer is when things mature, and we benefit from the work put in, we enjoy those summer months. Autumn arrives and it’s time to take stock, store things, and prepare for the winter months which are for reflection, rest.
Another analogy is look at the ocean; the waves roll in for high tide, and then they start receding to low tide. It’s how we handle the high and low ebb in our lives. By stopping and reflecting for a few minutes each day to see where we are at. Giving ourselves time and permission to see what we feel is important for us for that day. By asking ourselves questions. Do I need time out? Is my body telling me it wants to rest? Are we feeling joy and expectation? Or are we in the cage again, forgetting to enjoy simple pleasures that life can bring to us.
I feel it’s important knowing you have someone who supports and believes in you. Their role is to give a helping hand when you are experiencing the low ebb of life, and to be your greatest cheer leader supporting you through your triumphs and the high ebb of life.
How are you feeling? Are you feeling high or low? Do you feel your energy is being monopolised by other people? What are some of the things that work for you? What are you going to do today to look after yourself?
By taking care of ourselves first, we can help other people so much more, and be there for them as well. By sharing my experience I hope this has given you a different perspective on your life, and encourages you to look after yourself so you can help others along the way.
