Confronting Energy Vampires

Picture this scenario. You want to plunge into a creative project. But something is holding you back.

A lack of energy.

Ever wonder where all your energy was going?

Last year, I did.

And I spotted some curious energy vampires, aka things that were sapping my energy.

“What were they?” you ask.

Here are a few examples:

A year earlier, someone spackled spots in a hallway. But I’d been resisting painting the walls. Part of the problem was that it would involve my getting pretty high up on a ladder. I was waiting to feel like doing the painting. I began considering just hiring a painter.

Over a few months, stacks of paper piled up. “I’ll get to them once I have time,” I told myself. But time seemed scarce.

I recently realized that a box of tofu in the fridge was stuck to the glass shelf. Something sticky must have spilled. And I had to jab a butter knife under it and lever it up.

Here’s how these things affected me. Every time I saw the spackled spots, I was reminded of something I should do but had not yet. And that dragged my energy down. I start judging myself. Why can’t you get things done, I wonder. Why do you keep putting things off?

I actually seem to spend more time and energy resisting doing home-maintenance or administrative tasks than it takes to actually do them.

Unfortunately, resisting something in one part of your life can translate into resisting doing things in other parts of your life—even if you intend to get things done. Resistance is contagious.

So I thought: Maybe if I do these things, I’ll free up some energy. Maybe a lot of energy.

One night, I tackled the piles of paper. A lot got tossed in the trash. A little got filed.

I felt calmer, more in control. It was great to see clear surfaces. I could see my desk again.

Since I first wrote this post, I’ve had someone else paint the hallway. No more visible spackle spots. And it was worth it.

As for the fridge, the day I discovered the sticky mess, I deep cleaned it, removing ancient things and mystery bags. All shelves and drawers were washed. I could see everything in the fridge again. It was no longer a jumble of things ready to topple. And I felt so much better. So much more in control of my energy.

So what did I learn?

• Don’t put things off. The energy you spend resisting doing things could be better deployed doing creative projects.
• Not doing things leads to stuck energy. Don’t give yourself a reason to be reminded daily of things NOT done.
• Avoid judging yourself. It’s insidious. It will take you down a notch or two when you could be your biggest, brightest, most effective self.
• Checking things off your to-do list will free up energy for your big creative projects, like that book.

Can you relate to this?