What's Draining You?
26 April 2024 | Written by Xenia Ayiotis
One of the reasons many of us eat mindlessly is because we feel drained.
There are many things in our lives that drain us that we have zero control over. It’s pointless to try and manage those things.
There are also many things in our lives that are within our control. It’s useful to examine the day-to-day things that drain us and do something about them.
Let’s look at some of these:
Work
- My job is stressful, I receive no recognition for my efforts.
- I find it hard to delegate and say no to colleagues.
- I am overwhelmed with way too many projects.
- I would like to find a job that is more fulfilling.
- I avoid confrontation and don’t set boundaries.
Home
- My home environment is cluttered and messy.
- My wardrobe is a mess and I can’t find clothes to wear.
- There are a whole lot of appliances that need repair.
- There are many unfinished projects at home.
Body
- I’ve been postponing a medical check-up.
- I am struggling to sleep.
- I need a haircut.
- I want to find exercise that I enjoy.
- I sit for long periods of time.
Relationships
- There are people in my life who deplete my energy.
- I am dreading a difficult conversation that I need to have.
- I miss having friends in my life.
- I need more “me time”.
- I would like to be part of a like-minded community.
- I feel unsupported by those around me.
Self
- There are projects I would like to do but don’t have time.
- I’m hungry for intellectual stimulation.
- I don’t have enough fun or pleasure in my life.
- My life lacks a sense of meaning and purpose.
- Many of my emotional needs are unmet.
- I have unrealistic expectations of myself and others.
- My perfectionism keeps me stuck.
Finances
- My debt weighs on me.
- I regularly spend more than I earn.
- I have unpaid bills.
- My taxes have not been filed.
- My admin isn’t up to date.
Do any of these sound familiar?
You are not alone. I can certainly tick a few of these boxes!
So, what do we do to recharge ourselves?
We start by accepting what we can’t change and identifying what we can.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Of the things that I do, what drains me?
- Who are the people that deplete me of my energy?
- What activities energise me?
- Who are the people I feel good around?
- What activities nourish me?
- What gives me pleasure?
- What gives me a sense of purpose and meaning?
Once you have identified what drains you and what recharges you, start taking action. You don’t have to take giant leaps. Take tiny steps towards what revitalizes you.
Three antidotes to feeling drained
Pleasure
Explore things that you find enjoyable. It can be painting or drawing. Engaging in any creative activity. Find a hobby that you enjoy. Go out into nature. Take a walk. Be kind to your body by taking a nap when you are tired. Enjoy your favourite meal.
Accomplishment
Consider doing something that will give you a sense of satisfaction or achievement. Make a list of all the tasks you need to do; you could use the categories above. Start small by doing something simple like responding to an email you’ve been avoiding. You could clean out one drawer. Pay a bill. Start a difficult task by doing a small part of it.
Mindfulness
As much as possible, bring your mind to the present moment. Focus your attention on what you are doing in the moment. Try not to spend time ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. Focus on single tasks. Be present for the ordinary moments.
Remember!
Be realistic.
Try different activities and keep an open mind about them.
Make small changes.
There is no failure, just experimenting.
Don’t judge yourself.
Remove the pressure by letting go of the need for perfection.
It’s important to acknowledge yourself whenever you take even the tiniest action, congratulate yourself!
And, as you go about making these small changes, do it with gentleness and care for yourself.
All of my best,
Xen
Hello, I'm Xen. Welcome!
I help women all over the world drop the struggle with food and their bodies to create a life of peace and freedom.
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