As I’ve been unmasking the last few years I’ve been paying attention the ways I "spend" energy. I'm also learning about ways I "earn" or renew energy. It costs me less energy to be myself than to be what other people expect of me. When I’m living for the expectations of others, I never seem to have enough.

When I’m being myself I'm in energetic abundance. When I’m thinking for myself and acting from a place of the most authenticity, it requires a lot less energy from me. If I start to think about what people want from me, that takes energy. When I shape myself to be what’s comfortable for them, more energy. As I change my tone, my hair, my clothes, or even curb my laughter, that takes energy.

If energy exchange is a currency exchange, I’m poorer when I’m not me. I’m depleted, overspent, and in energetic poverty. But it costs me nothing when I’m free to wear what I want and smile only when it feels right.

In fact, living authentically replenishes my energy! I renew my energy when I’m grounded in who I am and not trying to be something else. I can also store up energy through the consumption of art and music, and other things that make me happy. My energy amplifies when I’m in nature, and with enough grounding, I’m rich with energy.

If energy were money, I could buy a mansion on an island when I’m being true to myself. But if I’m busy about being what others want, all of my energy is given to them. I’m handing over my wealth to the people around me.

So if I’m always giving to other people, people pleasing, I will end up with an empty wallet from which to give. But if I reserve my energy for myself first I can store up more energy and give from my surplus. When I invest in ensuring a surplus of energy from which to give, I’m never poor and I’m more free to give to others.

Tell me about some ways that deplete your energetic bank account. How do you recharge?

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