Reclaim Your Energy & Power

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a space to share my slow and gentle living philosophy. Please do subscribe to join me on this gentle journey of discovery and receive my Slow Sunday Letter straight into your inbox.

‘Your joy will come’ says the universe. ‘So will your love of course. But first I must show you yourself – your actions and thoughts – again and again, in the mirrors of your own life. You must come deeply to terms with yourself and know and understand your many wild and hidden parts, not simply for what they are but for what they will show you. Then you will hold them to the light, gently letting go of what must leave. You will come to know more, and understand that you know even less. This is the very beginning’. Yrsa Daley-Ward

I have been exploring energy more this year… energy from my mind and body, energy from nature, lunar cycles and changing seasons and energy from others – the feeding and taking away.

I have felt a strong instinct to protect my peace this year and reclaim my energy. The beginning of this year, my anxiety had started to dominate my life once more. I experienced panic attacks again, which I had kept at bay for quite some time, I could feel myself detaching and reducing the space I took up in my own life- a familiar pattern but this time I was very conscious it was happening. Now, at the end of the year – I feel more at peace, more content and more in control than I have felt in years.

There hasn’t been one thing on its own that has encouraged this change in me, but several and a major shift in my mindset.

A significant part of this change can be attributed to slow and gentle living. It has held me, encouraged me, reframed my days and given me a guiding philosophy that speaks directly to my soul, whilst giving my mind the peace it craves. Slow living guides me through creating a life and safe space for my body to relax, take up space and nourish itself.

Reclaiming your life is not about a change in circumstances, as much as it is about shifting your internal focus. It must come from a deep desire to transform your life, irrespective of what awaits you on the other side. I have felt a call to reclaim my energy and with it my power this year. A big turning point for me was when I started being kinder to myself. I got tired of my inner voice being so negative and I just wanted to allow more love in. I started to be gentler, and I gave myself more grace to make mistakes. I recognised that I can only ever do my best, and that has to be enough.

I have embraced my introversion. Instead of trying to ‘cover it up’ and propel a more socially accepted extrovert into my relationships and work – I have tried to be more honest and give myself the freedom to live life in a way that feels safe and good for me. Alongside this, I have spent a lot of time creating and enforcing boundaries. My boundaries are so important in protecting my energy and power. They give me peace, control, and strength and as a result I can see myself thriving in an authentic and honest way.

I also recognised where I could let energy in from outside forces, in positive ways (and in negative). I have started to learn about lunar cycles this year and seasonal living. I am still at the beginning of this learning, but I am following my curiosity. I find real comfort, inspiration, and pure excitement in feeding off the energy of the moon and the changing seasons. It has really helped me reframe how I feel and move through life more open to the lessons, wisdom, and rhythms of the world around me.

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Five Steps to Reclaim your Energy and Power

I wanted to just give you some ideas on how you can reclaim, and protect your energy and power. There are so many ways, and we will explore more together here at Generosity of Spirit in the coming months – but these five steps will help you get started…

1)     Live in the Moment

I know you see this tip all the time, but it may well be the secret to happiness or at least contentment (could there be an argument they are the same thing? We’ll discuss another time!). It is powerful and it will instil a sense of control, wonder, gratitude, and calm. Living each day in the present moment is something that takes work and patience- start small with practising single-tasking.

The concept of single tasking is a powerful mindset shift that embeds you in the present moment. It slows not only our minds, and nervous systems down but it reduces the noise around us enough, that we can truly feel ourselves within the present moment.

You won’t be able to single-task through your whole day, but choosing one common everyday ritual and allowing it to become a moment of calm for you is a wonderful place to draw yourself in to living in the moment.

Choose a single task, like making your morning cup of tea or coffee – and focus completely on that task. Absorb yourself in the experience of it.

‘When tea becomes a ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?’ Muriel Barbery

2)     Practice Self Love

This one is a big one, and something I have spoken about a lot recently. It really is important to be kind to yourself, it feeds your energy and your power with all the good stuff, that you deserve! You will make mistakes. You’re human. Forgive yourself, learn what you can, and move on. Be gentle with yourself and fill yourself up with self-love, respect, and kindness.

Self Love Declaration

You are strong, beautiful, and full of love. You are a true gift to the world, and I am so grateful to have you in my life. I promise to always be kind and gentle with you, to honour your needs and desires, and to always treat you with the love and respect that you deserve.

3)     Believe in Yourself!

Celebrate your wins – however big or small. Give yourself praise. Focus on what you’re doing well.

Journal Prompt:

Make a list of 10 things you’re proud of that you’ve accomplished over the last year.

Allowing yourself time to celebrate and savour the little wins, and the big ones is so powerful. It will encourage and remind you to take notice of what you achieve daily. It centres our focus on us, and not on comparison to others. The simplicity of just saying, ‘thank you’, and ‘well done’ to yourself will feed your energy and propel you through good times and bad times.

4)     Explore your Values and Passions

Relish in the exploration of all the things that make your mind, body and soul engage with life on a level that makes you feel powerful and flooded with energy.

Devote some time each day for self-development and reflection. Do a course, read, journal, listen to a podcast, watch something nourishing on TV, chat with a friend or family member, spend time on your hobbies, go outside and immerse yourself in nature… do whatever makes you feel alive! Grow a little each day, and have fun exploring what makes you unique and special.

If you need some guidance discovering your own values and passions, take a look at my post below:

5)     Practice Gratitude

‘Everything you want you have. Everything you need you have. The whole world and all its infinite possibilities reside in you’. Angela Scanlon, Joyrider.

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to protect your energy. If we’re constantly focused on our next purchase or wishing things were different, then it’s difficult to appreciate what you have in the present moment. Gratitude also erases comparison. When we’re content with what we have and who we are, we stop striving to have what someone else does or be like someone else. When comparison ceases- kindness and calm thrive. Gratitude supports so many of the above tips and it is at the very heart of your energy and your power, so take it seriously.

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The Importance of Self-Reflection

This year has been a year of accepting, learning, and growing.

I moved with more intention this year, I had hope and curiosity and a desire to explore. I made a conscious decision to show up, and try new things, I wanted to lift the pressure, and enjoy the process of designing a life I enjoyed and that honoured my authentic self.

2023 Highlights

I started writing again!

I got back into reading.

I started running.

I drastically reduced alcohol.

I embraced my authentic self.

My Word of the Year 2023 - Designful

Designful. Adjective. Full of design or intention

For the last couple of years, instead of making traditional resolutions, I have chosen a word of the year to guide me and act as an anchor throughout the year. Last year my word was, ‘balance’ and this year my word was ‘designful’.

I have tried to curate a life with intention this year, I have been open and mindful of where my energy has thrived and where it has diminished. For the first time ever, I am taking myself seriously, I am being kind to myself, and I have reclaimed my energy and power. It has been a pivotal year for me, and as we find ourselves approaching Christmas – I can see that I am more comfortable, peaceful, and confident than when I started 2023. I owe so much of this to slow and gentle living, but I know a lot of the changes have come from me. And that feels wonderful.

I’m yet to settle on my word for the year 2024 … I want to do a little more thinking and feeling the word out. I feel drawn to the idea of unlocking my creativity and so will centre my thoughts around that and see where it leads. Normally I go through this process alone, but this year I am going to be guided by

Susannah Conway

and her Find Your Word 2024 workbook. I will spend some time on this between now and New Year and will settle on my word in January.

I’ve created a ritual using my work of the year, using one of my favourite small businesses, ‘That Wild Feeling’ (That Wild Feeling) to make my word of the year into a beaded word bracelet. I find the ritual of putting the bracelet on each day acts as anchor, and a gentle reminder for me to stay focused on my intention.

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How has 2023 been for you? Have you seen any changes within yourself as you have moved through the year? How do you protect your energy and power? Have you chosen a word for the year? Please do share in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.

Once again, thank you so much for reading Generosity of Spirit and making my first 4 months on Substack the most fulfilling, inspiring, and fun. I am so excited to see how our slow and gentle community grows next year.

My next Slow Sunday Letter will be published on Sunday 7th January 2024 – I can’t wait to see you there!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With Light & Love

Emily xxx

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