So, what is really behind modern exhaustion? Tiredness is not just physical, it’s also emotional, mental and spiritual. There’s a whirlwind of energetics around you, all wanting your attention, all wanting your power. A simple way to understand this is around our focus and feeling. Positivity and passion are our intentional use of energy, it makes us feel good. Unintentional uses of energy manifests in the feelings of frustration, anger or fear.
Step back, listen and moving your awareness can help you better understand how you consciously and subconsciously use your energy.
Why am I so tired all the time?
Everything we do involves energy. Every movement, thought, feeling and interaction is an exchange of energy. When we use our energy intentionally, in alignment with our natural self, with purpose, focus and curiosity, it fuels us. We are working from that unlimited source within ourselves. There seems to be no time, no distraction, only passion and excitement.
But when we give energy unconsciously, through worry, frustration, or fear, it drains us. There is a big difference and an important way to understand it, these feelings often come from situations we have no control over, or from perceptions within our mind or the minds of others. There is no real grounding in our reality or mother nature.
Energy is flow, it can never be destroyed, it only changes form. When it flows naturally, life feels spacious, and we feel alive. When it’s blocked or not aligned, we feel disconnected and out of control. The truth is, most people don’t notice where their energy is going, as we are used to living in a world where we give so much away. Watching tragedy unfold on the news, facing rising prices and the cost of living, constant scrolling on social media, supporting people in our lives by giving energy, or working for companies or with colleagues we no longer agree with. We don’t notice how drained we have become until we are already empty.
Becoming aware of how you spend your attention is the first step in reclaiming your connection to your unlimited source of energy.
How is the world draining my energy?
We have built a wonderful world in so many ways. The modern environment is designed to capture attention, and wherever our attention goes is where our energy follows.
Don’t think of anything as inherently bad, it’s more about how we choose to use and interact with it. Scrolling on social media can give us information and a hit of dopamine, an amazing treat if we use it as a reward rather than a necessity. The widespread use of AI in today’s world has risks for users but can also be a huge benefit if we use it in the right way. When watching the news, it is good to be informed about what’s happening, but also important to understand the intentions behind it. Ask yourself, what is the motivation behind the company, product or service?
We live in a fast-paced world of consumerism, spreading a narrative of lack and ‘must-haves’ for the coming season, everyone wanting our attention to buy their product or join their club. Every distraction pulls our focus and energy, not just physically, but also emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Consider carefully how you choose to interact.
One of the biggest drains of energy in this world is through evoking emotional reaction. The surge within our body is tangible, it manifests through love, sadness, sorrow or on the other side, frustration and anger. Be mindful of your emotional reactions and where their focus is heading, whatever it is, know that you are powering it!
What is emotional burnout?
Sometimes things just get too much. We can’t focus or handle situations with the same calm and understanding. Emotional overload or burnout isn’t weakness or a statement that you’re not up to the job, it’s simply a signal that you have become saturated, out of alignment with yourself and not listening to your needs.
It happens when your output consistently exceeds your capacity, when you keep giving your time and energy when you don’t have it to give. It’s inherent in how society has been built. We’re taught to push through and get on with it, rather than take time for ourselves to recharge.
Healing begins when we stop trying to fix others or believe that we’re not good enough and start listening carefully to our own needs. Creativity can help you to listen more deeply to the inner part of yourself.
“Healing isn’t about fixing anything, because you are not broken, it’s about listening. When we create from the body, our art becomes the voice of what’s been waiting to be heard.”
How do I protect my energy?
Protection isn’t about building walls or putting yourself in a bubble, that’s a construct of the conscious mind and there are far more dynamics involved than your conscious mind is even aware of. What really matters is cultivating a state of clarity. When you know your own energetic rhythm, you can feel the difference between what’s yours and what’s not, or what no longer resonates.
Here are a few simple practices to become more aware of your energetic state:
Pause before you engage. Take a breath before entering a busy space or difficult conversation, this moment to breathe resets your awareness.
Ground into yourself. Feel your body, breathe and let your attention drop into your personal rhythm. Listen to yourself.
Creative expression. Become your own artist, follow your creative practice and listen to what comes up.
Step back from yourself. Be selective with your attention. You are not your feelings, thoughts or emotions. Be aware of where your focus goes.
Energetic protection is not about withdrawal or fighting, it’s about becoming present. The more embodied and conscious you become, the less likely you are to lose energy unconsciously.