13 Different Reasons You’re Low on Energy

BECAUSE ENERGY IS CURRENCY

Taking care of myself doesn’t mean ‘me first.’ It means ‘me, too.
L.R. Knost

"Do I have the energy for this?" 

This is the question I still ask.

It's reminiscent from days in corporate, when I was so burnt out, but didn't know it.

I distinctly remember an entire season of my work life where I googled "how to have more energy". 

Every. Single. Night. 

Those days are long gone, yet it's still a question within that always wants an answer.

Do you have the energy for this?

Energy is my currency, and when you've existed on fumes, for too long, as I have, I am always guarding it.

There is so much I'd like to tell my earlier Self; this is a response to that question she was always googling..."how to have more energy"

This is not, however, a article about health and how to have more physical energy.

Looking back, I see all the other possible reasons why she was so damn tired.

I know, our stories are not the same, but perhaps, by sharing mine, it will illuminate yours. Or be a story to share or save for later.

Dear Earlier Self,

I see you.

It's 11 pm and you're googling that same question again: "how to have more energy". 

You've shored up loads of ideas, yet here are some I'd invite you to consider that might not be on your radar.

1) Please give some thought to your capacity. There is a part of you that believes you can do it all, and can do anything. Perhaps you can challenge this belief a bit, and consider if you're over-extended.

2) How many people's agendas are you engaged in? You want to be of service, but I wonder if you can take a quick inventory of just how many people count on you, or you think count on you. Yes, count them. 

3) You wake at 5:45 am and go until 11 pm. Your day is so full, and I'm curious do you have enough whitespace or margin within your day? Having more energy is also about having breaks in between it all where you truly do disconnect.

4) You're ultra responsible. And strive to be. So check in on that belief to see if you feel like it's all up to you to make things happen. Is that really true? How do you know? 

5) In your own mind (and heart) you want to be a great collaborator and team member, but sometimes you have a tendency to not let other people help. Are there any limitations to this go-it-alone approach?

6) There is a part of you that needs to believe you have to like all of your life. Can you be more honest with yourself about what isn't working and not seeing it as a sign of failure if it is? We find energy when we let go of what isn't working.

7) You take things on so easily. Yet you rarely think about what you aren't going to do or what you'll stop doing, especially when you take something else on. See #1 above.

8) I get it, it's not good to be angry at people, Or annoyed or frustrated. Those are "negative" feelings you have been taught not to have. If you're letting your feelings bottle up e.g. resentment etc. take notice. This belief about feelings leads to a lot of "grin and bear it" which is a big energy suck.

9) You've worked hard to put this life of yours in place. Really hard. And I wonder how tightly you're gripping it, because you feel like you've got to hold it all together... All that holding takes energy.

10) You're not breathing fully - literally. Notice how breathe all up in your chest and heart area. Your breath oxygenates you, and gives you energy. Notice this pattern and see if you can relax it.

12) Your work really, really, matters to you and I respect that. Do a scan for where you're over-identifying with it, and you take it home distracted, or wake in the night anxious about that conversation. Remember your work serves you and your desires, not the other way around.

12) You're disconnected from the people you love most, like your kids, your bestie, your partner, your parents. These people you love the most source you and support you, and being cut off from them - because you're always in your head about work, makes you unhappy, and this draws down on your energy.

13) You're extremely resourceful and goddess of solving all the problems. But this one has you snagged. Can you go outside yourself to find an answer, can you get some support?

Dearest Insider,

This letter is personal to me. You may resonate with parts of this story, just as you will see parts that don't connect.

What I'd really like you to know, is this:

You are not broken.

There is nothing wrong with you - nothing to fix.

You may be tired and low energy, and that's hard to feel, and uncomfortable, but you're okay as you are. 

And if you're open and curious, asking the same question, just as I did, you will find the answers that unlock it for you.