Sometimes a day can go from amazing to yucky in a matter of hours.
Your energy can go from happy and content to frustrated, disappointed, or just plain drained. And when that happens, you may find yourself wondering, “How do I get myself back?”
Yesterday was a perfect example for me.
I had friends visit, and we went out to lunch. It was absolutely wonderful. There was laughter, good conversation, and that beautiful feeling of simply enjoying time with people you care about.
Then came a meeting last night that turned into a mess.
Just like that, my energy shifted.
When something or someone interferes with our sense of joy and contentment, it can be very easy to carry that energy with us long after the situation is over. But we don’t have to stay there.
I had to intentionally take some time for myself afterward. I needed to breathe, settle my thoughts, acknowledge that the experience had been unpleasant, and then remind myself that it didn’t erase all of the good that happened during my day.
That is an important distinction.
We don’t have to pretend the difficult things didn’t happen. We don’t have to force ourselves to be happy when we’re upset. We can acknowledge the yucky stuff without allowing it to become the place where we stay.
So how can we begin shifting our energy when we’ve been knocked out of our place of peace?
Start with your breath.
Take a few slow, intentional breaths. As you breathe in, imagine inviting peace back into your body. As you breathe out, imagine releasing tension, frustration, and everything that isn’t yours to carry.
Try a grounding practice.
Put your feet on the floor, take a moment to notice your surroundings, and remind yourself: “I am here. I am safe. This moment is different from the one that upset me.”
Meditate, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
You don’t need a perfect meditation space or a long meditation session. Sometimes a few quiet minutes can give your mind enough space to stop replaying what happened and begin returning to the present moment.
And if energy work resonates with you, you can also visualize yourself surrounded by a protective, peaceful light. Imagine that light creating a gentle boundary around you, allowing love and positive energy in while keeping unwanted energy from taking up residence.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to feel what you feel.
Shifting your energy doesn’t mean ignoring your emotions. It means feeling them, learning from them, and then deciding that they don’t get to control the rest of your day.
Yesterday’s difficult meeting didn’t get to erase my wonderful afternoon with my friends.
The bad moment was real.
So was the good one.
And I choose to give my energy to the good.
Sometimes finding our balance again isn’t about changing what happened. It’s about choosing where we go from here.
What helps you return to your center when your energy takes an unexpected turn?
Until next time, may you find your way back to peace, one breath at a time.