I’ve always been the type to be conscious of my energy. 2020 amplified that; I experienced a number of things work related mostly and while most things weren’t new, it led me to be even more tight with my energy, how I expend it and who gets it. Hopefully you’ve had some revelations of your own and are too finding ways to be more intentional with how you expend your energy. I’ve been asked about setting boundaries, regarding responding to people and regarding how much I share, but still manage to keep to myself on social media and it has a lot to do with me wanting to protect my own energy.
That said let’s get into 3 ways to protect your energy in 2021.
Set Boundaries to Protect Your Energy
One way to protect your energy in 2021 and beyond is by setting boundaries. People who don’t have boundaries make those with boundaries feel like they are doing something wrong. I learned boundaries from a young age dealing with family and it’s been the easiest way to protect my energy as I’ve grown up. Not everyone is aware of the type of energy or environment they create so to be able to have discernment, provides wisdom as far as creating the boundaries.
Boundaries for me also looks like choosing time periods to respond to text messages or DM’s even if I’m currently on my phone. I started doing this because I was starting to feel too available and one of the thoughts I was experiencing was “I’m tired of being needed”. I’m needed at work, I’m needed here and there and before I set boundaries I was just tired of it. From there I implemented time blocks of responding to messages. Not only was I in a better space when I was responding, but I was willing to communicate more because I had made the time for it and could expect it.
Don’t let people guilt you for creating boundaries. I create boundaries with a number of things in my life as a way to protect my energy. Boundaries aren’t limited to human interactions, it’s also the routes I choose to take while driving, the stores I go to. It’s everything. Protect your energy and set boundaries, it will free you from a lot of things.
Acknowledge The Things or Activities that Drain Your Energy
The best way to protect your energy is by acknowledging the things that actually drain it. Like I mentioned in the previous section, the routes that I take while driving are much more peaceful; I intentionally will drive to the top of my neighborhood to get to a street instead of taking the main street. People drive so fast and they are all trying to get through and it literally drains my energy while driving so I purposely go other ways.
If you don’t confront the things that drain your energy how can you protect your energy? In your next moment of journaling ask yourself the questions below.
- What activities/things/people drain my energy?
- What activities/things/people boost my energy?
- How will I set boundaries for the things that drain my energy?
- How will I open myself up to receive more of the things that boost my energy?
If you wanna get to know yourself more, check out my post 17 questions to ask for self discovery.
Create An Environment That Fills You Up
Maybe you don’t live in your dream house or have an insta-worthy space, but you have something and you can totally turn it into something that makes you feel good and brings you joy. Reset yourself for a new year by filling your space with things that make you happy. Maybe it’s candles, pictures, art work or a way to display your jewelry. Maybe it’s a coat rack or a bar cart. You get to decide, but if you intentionally make it what you can it will at the very least provide something to you instead of take from you.
For me candles, my skincare products and the glass containers they come in, transparent sticky notes and nice pens are some of the small things that really add to my environment. A good coffee cup and designer accessories are things that are apart of my life, so those little things make me feel full even when something else may not be quite there yet. At the end of the day, creating the environment that fills me up allows me the freedom to pour into people more often.
Something as simple as having eucalyptus in your shower or upgrading your shower gel to something more luxurious can replenish you. Don’t take the little moments for granted.
Oh this is such a good read I love love it !!!. This year, I’m very intentional about my boundaries as well. And it’s not limited to people but also my time management.
Author
Thank you for reading Vera! Yes often times it’s ourselves that need boundaries just as much. You got it girl!
This was a great list! As much as I have going on, I had not really stopped to think what is draining me. That’s good! I’m always doing a million things and taking the time to think about that will really help me going forward.
Author
Thank you for reading Ebony! I started realizing the things draining me because it started to make me anxious. Especially because you do so much, you deserve that!
Yess setting boundaries is powerful and peaceful to our life. Thanks for sharing these tips and bringing light to the little things that can shift our everyday!
Author
Thank you so much for reading!! Boundaries is really a game changer! So glad I could share