How Well Do You Know Your Energy?
I've been thinking a lot recently about how we interpret energy. Specifically, the energy in our bodies. I think that, after being diagnosed with anxiety disorder around the age of 14, I grew to blanket all of the energy I felt in my life as anxiety. There wasn't much wiggle room for other options. I was an anxious person and that was the end of that. So I tried to manage the anxious energy, doing my best to find a neutral space where I didn't have to feel the discomfort. You may guess that this led to a world of denial, stuffing, ignoring, etc. And that led to even more uncomfortable energy--whoops!
Questioning Old Narratives
"We are always explaining the world to ourselves, and we react emotionally to these explanations rather than to the facts." -Mark Williams
When I started to learn about energy and working with it through the practices of Reiki and meditation, I began to question my old narratives. Is this sensation I'm feeling actually anxiety? Is it possible there are other forms of energy running in my body? This may not come as a surprise to you, but to me, it was revolutionary. My world opened up as I allowed the possibility that joy, anticipation, excitement, and curiosity existed inside of me as well. What if the sensations, feelings, and movement in my body are showing me I am on the right path? That I am excited about a new adventure? Or that I am fired up for the day ahead?
Going Deeper
Even the "less desirable" energies of grief, sadness, pain, and discomfort took on a different meaning when I let them be fully expressed. There is so much freedom in the naming and honoring of what is really here. When I slap a general label of anxiety on something, it robs me of the chance to check in deeper with myself and explore what I may be needing in this moment. A hug or connection with a loved one, a moment to pause and slow my brain down, or maybe I just need a snack (#hangy).
I often wake up on the morning of a day when I have a group event or back-to-back client sessions with a surge of energy. I have been quick to judge that as my old friend anxiety in the past, but when I started to pay attention I realized that, in addition to the fact that excitement and anxiety feel similar to me, my body has a way of building the energy I need to support my clients. So I feel the surge of energy as my body gets ready to share it all during my sessions. It's actually remarkable to me. And to think, I've missed out on so much of my body's own nuance over the years!
Tend to Your Energy
Today, I invite you to get specific with how you are feeling. Can you name the energy in your body right now? And is there anything that might support you based on what you find? Maybe it's just to stop and enjoy the feeling of joy, contentment, or peace you have right now or maybe you could use something concrete to help you process and move through a hard moment. Whatever you need, I encourage you to stop and tend to your energy right now. You deserve it!
P.S.- You can now sign up for my next Group Healing on June 21st at 5pm PT. Save your space here!
P.P.S- My June calendar is now open for 1:1 Healing and Meditation Sessions. Learn more/book yours here!