For years, I’ve been talking about protecting my creative energy. I've done this to focus and create, and to keep the low-vibe shit out so I can make what I’m called to make. Books, blogs, businesses, websites, workshops, content…
For all the reasons (that maybe you have too) — being introverted, an INFJ, INFP, or empathic. These labels can be limiting, by the way. More on that later.
I’m more aware of my energy and what I let in. Using my body as my guide, I notice when something needs my attention.
But something about the word “protecting " kept nudging me to explore further. I’m conscious of the language I use and am extremely mindful of speaking and writing inspiring and supportive words—and not fear-inducing or limiting.
I wanted to be sure the word “protection” was a positive, uplifting choice.
Before I go further, I also need to say that if my writing triggers a reader and they feel fear or a sense of limitation after reading my words, that’s fantastic. Triggers give us valuable information showing us where to look for real healing.1
Defining Protect:
“Protect is a verb that means to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction. It can also mean to defend, maintain, or restrict something or someone. See synonyms, examples, history, and related words of protect.” Merriam-Webster
Yes, of course, protect that energy to avoid injury and damage. Wear a helmet to protect your brain. But what happens when we defend ourselves out of fear rather than from a place of love?
It was when I looked at some antonyms for protect that got me wondering:
attack
cause death
harm
assault
destroy
assail
neglect
jeopardize
pose a threat to
ruin
abuse
annihilate
damage
devastate
endanger
hurt
The problem I see when I talk about protection is that it can unconsciously trigger fear. This was my filter until I shifted my perspective.
Now, fear is low-vibration energy, and I’ve never written a great piece from a place of fear.
So is the key — protecting ourselves without fear?
My son wears head-to-toe protection because his sport requires him to stand in a net and stop pucks from getting in. His protection lets him feel safe. He’d be unsafe otherwise. But he doesn’t wear protection because it’s unsafe not to. He wears it because he has to. It’s simply something you DO before you play.
When he skates into the arena, I do energy work to protect him. I do it daily on both kids, placing them in an impenetrable bubble.
That’s sports — a dangerous one at that.
But with your creative energy, is “protection” the right word?
What about…
Preserve?
“Preserve is a verb that means to keep safe, alive, or useful from injury, harm, or destruction. It can also mean to keep or save from decomposition, decay, or decay.”
When I look at the definition, it seems similar.
So how do lightworkers, empaths, and sensitive folks keep our energy strong for creative pursuits without unconsciously creating the idea that we’re unsafe?
What if we managed our energy from a place of power?
Managing our energy as a non-negotiable step we take every day to show up fully.
On an average week, I'm on eight hours of calls. I block plenty of time for writing and serving clients. I'm intentional with my calendar and know that every meeting on it is one I happily choose.
I’m setting boundaries around my energy not to protect myself, but to create with all my energy.
Since I started planning my business and writing around my cycle and the moon cycle, I plan weeks with more calls when I know my energy will be high.
And even when it's high, I want to keep it high. So I’m preserving my energy for the writing that aligns with my goals.
If you find yourself exhausted after interactions with some people, you may have some leaks.
This is where we need to be mindful of labels.
Here, we might be defining ourselves by these labels:
I’m leaky.
I’m an introvert.
I’m sensitive.
Let’s step back and associate with the qualities instead:
I have some energy leaks.
Sometimes I have introverted tendencies (or, I prefer deep conversation).
I have some sensitivities.
When we over-identify with labels, we can blame them for all sorts of things. “I don’t leave the house because I’m an introvert.” Not very empowering.
This is our responsibility. To manage — and eventually master — our own energy.
The same goes for when you're hanging out with people who seem to drain your energy constantly. Of course, the long-term solution is to invest your time and energy in people who energize you. And when you have more energy than you can give, take a break or remove yourself from the situation.
If someone drains you, it’s not their fault. You control what you give away.
Some ideas to keep your energy strong for your creative writing projects:
Notice what's going on with your personal energy and the moon — this article on writing with nature’s rhythms will give you a good starting point
Plan a month ahead, and look to your busy months. How do you want the summer weeks to feel? Do you want to finish work at 2 pm every day? Do you want to take Fridays off all year long? Do you want a week with no calls on your calendar every month? Block the time today.
Zoom calls — keep your video off or at least hide your self view.
What calls are on your calendar that could be an email? A screen recording? A walking phone call? Or even canceled altogether?
Before interacting with others, imagine yourself feeling strong in an impenetrable bubble. Knowing that you’re choosing what you’ll allow in.
Wear a bracelet on your left hand (the left receives, and the right gives), and imagine your receiving energy is filtered into the bracelet and not getting into your precious bod.
Hold something in your left hand like a crystal, stress ball, or stone when others are speaking — especially handy if anyone is off the chains. Imagine the object holding whatever is coming your way, so when your conversation is finished, you can set it down and leave the energy with the object, not to carry around.
Imagine a bucket off to your side, and someone's filling the bucket (a good in-person practice, too). When they're done speaking, lovingly hand the bucket back to them so they can process it (it's not yours to process).
During a full day of meetings:
Light a candle in between, burn a little incense, sage, or palo santo
Go outside, put your bare feet on the ground, and feel the sun on your face
Dance it out
Your energy matters in everything you do. And when we work and live with others, it can be easy for the most sensitive among us to take on others' shit, which doesn't do them or us any good.
