QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Taking back your energy isn’t selfish. It’s maintenance.”
— Unknown
IDEA OF THE DAY
We’re taking a small detour today, away from career and productivity, to talk about something quieter but just as important: your energy. Specifically, what fills it and what drains it.
When I worked in education, I wanted to help every student I could and be a great colleague (my always-stocked chocolate drawer definitely helped!). But when someone had a bad day, I often felt it too, either by trying to fix it or by sharing in their frustration.
Later, when I shifted into coaching, I noticed the same pattern. My empathy — the very thing that made me good at my work — was also wearing me out. I was so tuned into everyone else’s needs that I stopped checking in with my own. I knew something had to change.
Take a moment to think about your own world: where do work, family, or routines recharge you — and where do they quietly deplete your energy?
When you notice your tank running low, try this simple reset exercise that’s been a game-changer for me:
Choose your favorite color and imagine it surrounding you like a soft bubble — this is you when everything feels balanced and grounded. Now, think of the days that feel heavy or tense. Picture that energy as a different color (for me, it’s often a murky gray). Then, visualize sending that color back into the earth to be recycled, maybe drawn down through tree roots or gently lifted away like a magnet. Finally, see your favorite color return, filling your bubble once again and restoring your sense of calm, joy, and steadiness.
If visualizing isn’t your thing and you’re more of a feeler, try a physical version of the exercise: notice where you carry tension in your body, and imagine that heaviness slowly draining into the earth beneath you.
Take this idea and make it your own. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s to find small, simple ways to recharge and bring your energy back when you’re feeling depleted.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
How can I check in with my energy more regularly — and respond before burnout sets in?