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Watch, Protect, & Restore: Our Energy is Our Responsibility

Lately, many friends and family members have expressed feeling depleted, both personally and due to the state of the world. I feel the same, and realize that it's time to be more intentional with how I spend my time and energy.

My friend Becca recently mentioned the Counting Crows’ song A Long December, and it’s been on repeat in my head ever since. December was long, January even longer, "and the feeling that it’s all a lot of oysters but no pearls" has resonated with me. Yet, I know life is filled with pearls, if we choose to look for them more consciously. Though it is hard to see them in this snow!

I admit, I’ve let my words, mindset, and energy slip. I’ve wallowed in sadness, doom-scrolled, and listened to too long to too many harsh voices. I’ve fallen back into old patterns. But mindfulness has taught me that we must be compassionate with ourselves and others and begin again with intention. So, I did just that this past week.

I took action on political issues that matter to me, enrolled in a 3-day course to learn something new, and most importantly, I focused on community. Wednesday was a day of intention and good company. It reminded me that these two things are essential for my energetic health.

It began with breakfast with a like-minded friend, Lynn, where we shared some fears and frustrations. Lunch and the afternoon were spent laughing and painting with Elisabeth—creating is an antidote for many things. For dinner, Jen and I tried a new Indian restaurant to feed the senses along with the belly. Her positivity and generosity always leave me inspired. Jen gifted me a delicate moonstone necklace that has become a touchstone in the past few days, reminding me to soften and be gentle.

Yesterday, our women’s circle met. We focused on our heart space with a guided meditation, some doodling (aka expressive arts), and a sound healing centered on the heart chakra. Most importantly, we showed up for ourselves and each other. If you haven’t attended yet, you’re welcome to join—our next circle is March 8th, 9:30-11 a.m.

Unlike my new moonstone necklace, my edges have felt rough lately, and my heart, shuttered. These are signs that I need to check in with my energy and revitalize it. So, here are some thoughts on watching, protecting, and restoring our energy:

1. Watch Your Energy:

Monitoring our energy is the first step toward taking control. Here are ways to check in:

• Frequent Check-Ins or Body Scans – Pay attention to physical signs of fatigue, tension, or discomfort. Then query the source. Ask, what do I need or what needs to be adjusted? Here's a Body Scan Meditation for you to try.
• Emotional Awareness – Notice when your emotions feel heightened or off-balance. What people or situations are influencing your mood? When coaching others, I offer tools like the feelingswheel.com or the emotional vibration scale to build emotional intelligence.
• Mental Clarity – Are you scattered or focused? A foggy mind often signals that your energy is being overextended. Take a break. Then ask, what would help me regain focus? Is it listening to soothing music, a cup of green tea, a brisk 10 minute walk, etc…
• Track/Audit Your Energy – Consider journaling daily, noting when you feel most energized or drained. This helps you identify patterns and triggers. Ask, what is filling my tank? How can I incorporate more of this into my day?
• Set Regular Checkpoints – Throughout the day, pause for a moment to assess how you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally. eMood is a free emotion tracking app for just this.

2. Protect Your Energy:

When protecting our energy, we can avoid unnecessary depletion. Here’s how:

• Set Boundaries – Learn to say no to protect your time and emotional well-being. So often we say yes, when the body screams no. We spend our time and energy on things we ultimately do not control. Ask, is this in my control right now? Mel Robins has a great free course on boundaries.
• Limit Media Exposure – Curate your information consumption. I was lingering in bed reading a lot more news than usually, and this was making me depressed. No more. I shall follow a couple voices of knowledge and reason and set a time limit.
• Surround Yourself with Positivity, Beauty, & Humor – A lot is good and joyful in the world. Choose people who uplift you and avoid draining environments. I find I need to get outside, sit by a window, take care to watch funny and uplifting shows etc…
• Avoid Energy Vampires – Recognize individuals or situations that leave you feeling depleted and limit engagement with them. Whether it’s the toxic co-worker or family member or checking social media to see what your hateful Aunt has posted, we all wander into dark corners where the fangs wait.
• Declutter Your Space – I hate this one, but, an organized environment creates mental clarity and supports energetic flow. Confession: my office is a disaster and I have been avoiding it, which is draining my energy and blocking me from putting energy into some precious projects. Maybe it’s time to read up on and practice some Feng Shui.

3. Restore Your Energy:

Restoring your energy is about rejuvenating and replenishing what’s been drained. Here’s where energy work gets fun!

• Mindfulness & Meditation – Engage in regular mindfulness or meditation to clear mental clutter and restore calm. I find a few minutes scattered throughout the day works best in trying times. Better yet, go to a salt room or sound bath for a novel experience. Join me 2/22 & 3/22 at Vita Hydration + Wellness in their salt room for a sound healing journey.
• Physical Nourishment – When pushed to our energetic limits physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, nourishing foods, hydration, and quality sleep are key. We know this; we must prioritize this.
• Movement & Exercise – We also know that regular exercise helps release tension and boost vitality, while keeping energy circulating in the body. Choose what you like and strive for variety. Make and blast a playlist that's sure to get you groovin'.
• Creative Hobbies – Tap into creative outlets (painting, writing, music–I’ve been making time for them all lately) to express yourself and recharge your spirit.
• Grounding – Spend time in nature, or practice grounding techniques like walking barefoot to reconnect with the earth’s energy. Nothing like rolling naked in the snow to energize you. Cold plunge, anyone? Pet an animal, that also counts as grounding.
• Give to Others - Someone wise once said, “It is in giving we receive.” The surest way to fill my tank is to show up for and support a fellow being.
• Create a “Lift Me 50 List” - On one sheet of paper list 50 (start with 15 and add to it) actions you can take to shift your energy and raise your vibration. Post it where you see it daily and put a pic of it on your phone. I'll get you started: take a bath, sit in the sun, eat fruit, phone a friend, meditate, dance, play with the dog, etc...

Just pick one suggestion from each category above to try. We have so much more control over our energy than we know. If we don't watch, protect, and restore our energy, who will do it for us? It's up to us to master our energy and live a more mindful and balanced life. Below are some upcoming opportunities to which I'd like to invite you. Let's take the journey together!

With light and love,

Jess

Come and Join Me in Mindful Energy Restoration

1. Last call: 1-Day February 16th Retreat, 10-4 p.m. Learn more and register here.
2. Sunday Sound Journeys into Spring, 5 Sundays: 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23 from 3-4:30 p.m. at Barred Owl Retreat (Contact me. Package of all 5 or pick and choose.)
3. Salt & Sound Healing at Vita Hydration in Worcester, 2/22 & 3/22 10 a.m. (Space is limited to 8; contact me.)
4. ***Start Centered: MAP (Mindful Awakening Program): If you really want accountability, community, transformation, and greater control over your energy and life, please join us!

https://www.barredowlretreat.com

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