Renewable Energy for the Soul……………are you renewing or depleting yours?
Is energy about how much sleep you’ve had?
How many cups of coffee it takes to feel alive?
Or, worse, those godforsaken energy drinks?
Is it just how you feel, mentally and physically, day to day?
I know we’ve all felt that heavy mental fog after hours of intense focus, like revising for exams or tackling a project that just won’t end. That’s mental drain, we can’t focus on much else. Then there’s the ache of a body pushed to its limits after a physical activity or a long day on your feet, that’s physical drain like running a marathon!! This is a different type of feeling, isn’t it?
The thing is, these two types of energy don’t always go hand in hand, they don’t always appear together. You can feel mentally wiped, zonked as I sometimes say but physically fine or physically drained while your mind buzzes with thoughts. But when they do overlap, it’s like hitting a wall and that’s when burnout creeps in.
The part that it’s taken me years to understand and accept is that energy isn’t just about your body or your mind, one or the other, it’s about your whole being. It’s about what fuels you at your core, what lights you up and makes you feel alive, not just awake and productive.
I have noticed, more and more how we feel drained, no energy yet think we are not doing anything to be feeling like this or we are comparing what we could do and felt fine and now we don’t.
We can run off over doing it for so long but then something else creeps in……
Think of energy as layers. Sure, there’s the surface-level energy, fuel, what you get from rest, food and movement, the essentials that we all get. The first point of increasing your energy is to make sure you are resting, you are eating well and you are moving your body but there is another level.
Beneath that is a deeper well of energy, another layer, the kind that comes from alignment. It’s what you feel when your actions, thoughts and values are in harmony. How drained do you feel when you are doing things that you don’t want to? That is on a conscious level, you are saying yes when you want to say no, going places that you don’t want to, doing work that you know isn’t for you, there will be areas that you are doing subconsciously to and you don’t know about it.
It’s about balance, sometimes we must do those things, work, family etc but are you balancing it out with other things that keep you in harmony, are you avoiding change ? Are you setting your boundaries? Your using this energy but are you topping it back up or are you depleting it?
Over the years you will have been pleasing everyone else and not yourself and it was fine, you could manage it, you told yourself it's your job, your duty, your personality, who you are but now you are drain, feel like you have no energy and no amount of coffee, energy drinks, movement, good food or rest is cutting it. It's making no difference to how you feel.
This was me, I was running on empty for years and I wasn’t even getting the base layer right of actually fuelling my body in a effective way!! I started to move more, look at my food, hydration, sleep etc etc. I saw massive improvements but it wasn’t enough because I then needed to tap into the deeper level. I got the initial energy boost from what I was doing but more needed to be done. I needed to go deeper, I’’ be honest, I didn’t know this!! I learner and I researched because I wasn’t going to accept that feeling shit was my life!! Nor was it going to be my way of life. I wanted to be fit, healthy and happy. I had to work on me.
It starts in you before it is an external thing
This deeper energy is renewable, thank god, but only if you know how to tap into it. And here’s the secret, it doesn’t come from doing more, like we are led to believe! It comes from connecting to the things that bring you joy, purpose and peace. I wasn’t even sure what this was!! I had to go finding it.
Let’s start with this question –
When was the last time you felt truly energised, not just physically but in your soul, like your full being? Was it after a long walk in nature? A deep conversation with someone who gets you? Maybe it was losing yourself in a creative project, where time seemed to disappear.
These moments aren’t accidents, they’re clues. They’re your personal roadmap to renewable energy for the soul and they are non negotiable if you want to feel happy, healthy, resilient and enjoying life!
This has been about your own energy, how you feel. Another blog will be about how you project that energy onto others and a bit deeper but first think about increasing your energy.
Here’s a list of ideas to help you renew your energy, not just the kind that gets you through the day but the deeper energy that fuels your whole being. These aren’t one-size-fits-all they’re starting points. Try a few, see what resonates and build your own personal toolkit for renewal.
Step Outside: Take a walk, feel the sun on your face, or breathe in the fresh air. Nature has a way of grounding and recharging us like nothing else.
Move Your Body: Whether it’s stretching, dancing, yoga or a brisk run, movement shakes off stagnant energy and gets things flowing again.
Pause for Stillness: Close your eyes, take a deep breath and sit in silence. Even five minutes of quiet can be a reset button.
Create Something: Write, paint, bake or garden. Creativity is an incredible way to tap into joy and presence. Because you want to not because you need to!
Connect with Others: Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you. A heartfelt conversation can be more energising than any caffeine boost.
Disconnect: Turn off the noise, your phone, the news, the endless to do list. Give yourself permission to be unavailable for a little while.
Laugh: Watch a funny show, recall a happy memory or spend time with someone who makes you laugh until your sides hurt.
Treat Yourself: Indulge in something simple that feels good, your favourite tea, a bath or a cosy blanket and a good book.
Reflect: Journal about what’s been draining you and what’s been filling your cup. Sometimes, just acknowledging it can bring clarity.
Focus on Gratitude: List three things you’re grateful for. Shifting your mindset can bring an instant lift.
Set Boundaries: Protect your energy by learning to say no when you need to. Whether it’s declining extra responsibilities or carving out time for yourself, boundaries are the ultimate form of self-care. Remember, every “no” to something that drains you is a “yes” to something that fills you up.
Do Something Meaningful: Spend time on activities that align with your values and purpose. Whether it’s helping someone, working on a passion project or volunteering, connecting with what truly matters to you can be one of the most energising things you do.
Whatever combination of activities you do, do them for you! Not because you do them because you feel the pressure, or it's a chore or a task or you feel better once a task is done, do it because it's for you and you only. Imagine your energy increasing with everything thing that you do, like that energy dial moving up rather than down. You have more energy and you can help others, you have low energy and you have no space or energy for others.
Remember, renewing your energy isn’t about fixing yourself, it’s about honouring what your body, mind and soul needs to thrive. Start small and trust that even the smallest steps add up. Don’t just do one and then that’s it, make them your habits.
Also be mindful, be in the moment and just be present. Don’t make these another list of things that you “have to do” that gives them negative energy and you are renewing yourself with positive energy.
I'd love to hear how this has help you and increased your energy