Are You Protecting Your Creative Energy out of Fear or Grounded Power?
Managing your energy for maximum creativity.
For years, I’ve been talking about protecting my creative energy. I was doing this for more focus and creativity and keeping the low-vibe shit out so that I can create the things 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 an empath. These labels can be limiting, by the way, but that’s for another article.
I’m more aware of my energy and what I let in. Using my body as my guide, I notice if there’s something to pay attention to.
But something about the word “protecting " kept nudging me to explore its meaning further. I’m super conscious of the language I use and am extremely mindful of speaking and writing inspiring and supporting words — and not fear-inducing or limiting.
I wanted to be sure the word “protection” was a positive and uplifting word 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 only defend ourselves out of fear and not 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 if I’m talking about protection — it could be unconsciously triggering fear. This was my filter until I shifted my perspective.
Now, fear is a low-vibration energy and I’ve yet to pen a great piece of writing from a place of writing scared.
So is the key — protecting ourselves without fear?
My son (that’s him at the Lightning High School League All-Star game in 2025!) 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 it’s a requirement. It’s simply something you DO before you play.
When he skates into the arena, I always say a prayer 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 has a similar meaning.
So how do lightworkers, empaths, and sensitive folks keep our energy strong for creative pursuits without unconsciously creating the idea that we’re unsafe?
Does your wall have holes? Or is it structurally sound? Photo by Donnie Rosie on Unsplash
What if we looked at managing our energy from a place of power?
Managing our energy is a non-negotiable step we take every day to show up fully.
On an average week, you'll find me on eight hours of calls. I block plenty of time for my writing and client serving. And I'm intentional with my calendar and know that every meeting on my calendar is one I happily choose.
I’m putting up boundaries around my energy, not so that I’m harmed but so I can create with ALL my energy.
Since planning my business and writing activities with my cycle and the moon cycle, I plan weeks with more calls in a week where 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 here is to invest your time and energy in being around people who energize you. And when the energy is more than you can give, take a break or remove yourself from the situation.
If you find someone draining to you, it’s not their fault. It’s up to you to control what you give away.
How 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 weeks of the summer 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 use it sparingly. In 2022, I unplugged my webcam for a big break. The best decision I’ve made in my business. No need to explain — EVER.
What calls are on your calendar that could be an email? A screen recorsing? 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 for you, so when your conversation is finished, you can place it down and leave the energy with the object, not for you to carry around.
Imagine a bucket off to your side and someone 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 us or them any good.
