Decoding Fatigue

Hey, just putting this out there in case it resonates with someone who needs to hear it.

Recently, I started to notice a quiet shift. It wasn’t dramatic or sudden, just that things were a bit less vibrant than they had been a few months before. Even though I had created a new life for myself, and I was healthier, happier and in a better place than I had imagined, I was sliding into autopilot.  Every day started to feel the same. Routines blurred into one another. I was doing all the things that had helped me to create this better version of myself, my morning routine, my special mushroom coffee, workouts, journaling, but yet my energy seemed flatter than before.

I wasn’t unhappy, the days just seemed a little flat.

I was caring for everyone else—students, coworkers, my kids, friends... I showed up because that’s what I’ve always done. But slowly, I realized I had stopped checking in on me.

In some ways, I had one of the best semesters of my career and was more balanced outside of the classroom than ever before.  I can also appreciate that I took on a new class and was moving my coaching business forward while keeping up with relationships and workouts.  On paper, everything should have been perfect.  I didn’t know what I needed. I just knew my soul was tired and I was moving toward burnout, again.

Today, I talked to my coach.  Through the conversation I realized that I was doing all of the things I learned to restore myself, but my thoughts were about the fear of burnout and trying to avoid it.  I mentioned my workouts, my meditation practice, but I realized that my routines were not the issue.  It was the lack of checking in with myself that was draining me.  These were important practices, but I was doing them habitually.  Meditation is great to settle the mind, movement is great to release stress, but “doing all the things” on autopilot can be depleting.  And worrying about fatigue is exhausting! However grounding, a morning meditation practice can not help us navigate in the moment, tricky thoughts that zap our energy.

I also recently had a conversation with a friend who is a skilled coach and provides support for others.  He was in a heavy place and mentioned that he couldn't always access the tools in his toolbox.  It is in tapping into our practices (whatever yours are, mindful practices like box breathing, visualization, journaling, somatic practices) in the moment where we can reclaim our energy and reset ourselves.  It is embodying these practices and not just completing them that our cups empty, our minds settle and we feel at peace.

I realized that I was in my head a lot.  I was trying to outthink burnout. I was fantasizing and visualizing, but it was actually from a place of low vibrations.   I like to fantasize and daydream. I should not deny myself, but if I find that it is zapping my energy, I can set a timer to limit the time I spend in my head.  Remember we are ALWAYS manifesting, so if we are visualizing at a low vibration, we are creating more of what we don’t want and what does not serve us.  I was essentially giving my energy away.  Rather than giving my energy away,  I can reclaim my energy and bring it back to me.  

How do we do this?  When you are feeling low, or flat, take a moment to tune into your breath in whatever way that feels good for you.  Close your eyes if that serves you.  Visualize a ball of light in front of you or above your head, whichever serves you.  Visualize that light, that energy coming back into you.  It is this easy.  When you feel your energy draining, you can visualize it returning to you.  Also, you can ask yourself what is it that you need in that moment and give that to yourself.  

 “What do you want now? What do you miss? What would make you feel alive again?”

These questions are not always easy to answer.  Start playing with your schedule, try to do things in a different order, try a new routine, or take a break for a day.  Carve out space for yourself.  Do something you have put off for a while.  Try a new workout class, meet a friend for a walk n talk instead of a class, volunteer or be of service in a different way...

I started to play with my days.  I tried new classes.  I changed my routines.  I slowly felt the spark come back.

I haven’t abandoned my role as a mom, teacher or coach. That’s part of who I am. But I’ve learned that taking care of others can’t come at the cost of forgetting who you are.  And, even when you are aware of the importance of self care, it can become more things to do on our to do lists if we are not present while we are practicing.

When you’re running on empty, it shows up everywhere—your energy, your patience, your relationships, your health.

So if you’re feeling like you're just getting through the day instead of loving your days, this flatness could be a nudge in a new direction.

You deserve more than just pushing through. You deserve joy, growth, expansion, excitement…

By tuning into your breath and visualizing energy returning to you, and by asking yourself what you need and giving that to yourself, you will prevent the loss of your precious energy.

Until next time, love and light.

Traci