When Energy is a Stranger
Dear Kitten,
Energy is something I have struggled with since my senior year of college. A lot of health factors played into this, (multiple concussions, underlying auto-immune issues) and most definitely emotional regulation issues. However, energy has been something I have tried to get back in my life each year that passes. Trying to understand what is zapping it, how can I regulate, how can I gain energy back.
Working at a Non-Profit as big as OK Humane has shown me what it truly means to work in something where you are caregiving for a job. Which sounds wonderful, especially for people like me who truly love to give and care. It has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life, and getting to be apart of something bigger than myself has been an experience I will always hold dear to my heart. It is undeniable that although you get to help save lives… it’s heavy.
A couple of weeks ago, I’ve felt the weight more than usual. After a long day, the heaviness follows me home. It felt like pieces of my soul had shattered, and I was at one of the lowest points I’ve ever been in. Once I bounced back, the question became: How do I protect my best energy so I can serve both my purpose and my dreams? I am only working part-time, creating a life and business (UNHINGED) that lights me up. Also, how can I best prepare myself for next time, so that the darkness does not consume me?
Persephone’s Guidance:
Persephone knows this feeling. She carries darkness without letting it swallow her light. She teaches us that heaviness doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re human. She walks between light and shadow and teaches us that both are a part of life. She reminds us that there are seasons for everything. Some days you bloom. Some days you descend into the quiet, heavy places. Neither is wrong. When you are in the dark, the smallest action can plant the seeds that bring you back to the light.
Athena’s Guidance:
Athena sees it differently, but just as wisely. Athena would look at this as a resource problem. Your time, focus, and energy are all currencies. And they must be spent with precision. She’d remind you that even warriors have to choose their battles, and victory isn’t about doing everything, it’s about doing the right things at the right time. She looks at energy as a resource to be spent with care. She knows you cannot pour endlessly without refilling. Her lesson is that protecting your best energy is not selfish. It is strategic.
Instead of running on autopilot, Athena would have you map your energy flow like a battle plan. Where are you giving away too much? Where could you set boundaries or redesign your schedule? How can you ensure your dream gets your best self, not just your leftovers?
Persephone says: It is alright to rest, to feel, to honor the heaviness without shame.
Athena says: Use your strength where it will have the most impact.
Here is how I have been carrying both with me:
Start with one small act of joy or movement, even on the heavy days
Even one breath of beauty (music, a moment in the sun, a dance in your living room) can remind you of the light.
Protect your prime hours for what matters most to you
Schedule your most important creative work for when your energy is naturally highest.
Allow yourself to feel without rushing to fix everything
Not every hard day is a problem to solve. Sometimes it’s a cycle to move through.
Build small moments of recovery into the parts of your day that drain you
Build in small recharge moments during draining days (5 minutes of silence, deep breaths, music).
Remember that giving less in one place can mean giving more where it matters
Limit emotional overspending: You can care deeply without giving every ounce of yourself away.
You are not broken for feeling tired. You are not less for needing rest. You are already enough as you are. Growth is not about fixing yourself, it is about discovering how to carry your light through every season.
Persephone would tell you that the darkness will pass. Athena would tell you to be ready when it does. I believe you can hold both.
PS,
I believe this is something a lot of us carry, even though you may not be in my exact position. This is where I enjoy the idea of looking towards the Goddesses for guidance. I have always been a complete nerd for mythology, so building out Operation Goddess and UNHINGED has been a blast to create something from a ancient world, and bring it into modern life. I’d love to hear what resonated with you the most, or how you might try and implement any of these mini Goddess Guides into your day. Please feel free to email me and we can chat!
You’ve got this, Kitten.
Xoxo,
Roxanne Ryan
