Physical energy keeps us moving and performing tasks, emotional energy enables us to express our feelings, mental energy helps us think critically and take action on our thoughts, while spiritual energy connects us to a higher power or greater purpose. Your energy affects everything in your life, from your mood to your ability to focus and connect with others. If your emotional, mental, or spiritual energy feels depleted, you might struggle with exhaustion, irritability, or a lack of motivation. Energetic self-care means paying attention to what drains you and to what restores you. It means setting boundaries, creating space for rest, and making choices that protect your inner peace. We've been talking about stepping into your self-care era this month, and we can't leave out energetic self-care, although it often gets overlooked. Let's dive in, shall we?  Become More Aware When Your Energy Feels Off & Identify WhyYou may notice signs that your energy feels off before you understand what's causing it. You might feel overwhelmed for no clear reason, struggle to concentrate, or feel emotionally drained after certain interactions. Your body may feel heavy, tense, or sluggish. Small tasks that usually feel easy may suddenly feel exhausting. These changes often happen when you're taking on too much, ignoring your emotional needs, or spending time in environments that disrupt your balance. Paying attention to how you feel can help you identify the patterns. And once you recognize what is throwing you off, you can start making the changes that support your energy, rather than draining it. Some People & Experiences Giveth - Others Taketh Away :)Some people leave you feeling uplifted and supported, while others drain you. Certain activities make you feel better, while others leave you feeling exhausted. It's important to pay attention to what gives you energy and what takes it away. If you frequently feel drained after spending time with someone or engaging in a specific task, it may be a sign that you need to set boundaries. I can tell you from personal experience that when you begin to prioritize the things that nurture you, your life will improve in ways you can't yet imagine. Mental Self-Care: Avoiding OverstimulationToo much stimulation can make it hard to think clearly and stay present. When your mind is overloaded, you may feel anxious, restless, or mentally exhausted. Protecting your mental space means being intentional about what you consume. For me, this is about my YouTube home page. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed just scrolling through the variety of choices. But more often, I have watched too many in a row, and start to feel mentally tired. How does this one show up for you? The solution? Reducing screen time, limiting news exposure, and being mindful of the conversations you engage in can all help create more mental clarity. Giving yourself breaks from constant input allows your mind to reset, making it easier to focus and feel more at peace.  5 Daily Rituals You Can Use to Recharge Your EnergyAs you know, I am all about daily self-care rituals! And one reason is because they are so good at shifting how you feel and returning the energy that was given or taken away. Here are a few rituals to add to your routine: (1) Take a few deep breaths to center yourself before starting a task (2) Step outside and get fresh air to clear your mind (3) Light a candle or use essential oils to create a calming atmosphere (4) Drink a warm herbal tea to soothe and ground your energy (5) Try a short guided meditation or write in your journal to release tension Letting Go of Unresolved IssuesThough you may not even be aware you're doing it, holding on to old emotions can really weigh you down. Old regrets, unresolved conflicts, or lingering guilt will drain your energy over time. And carrying emotions that are not yours to hold, such as what others expect of you, can also leave you feeling exhausted. First. you have to acknowledge what you have been holding onto and recognize that it's holding you back. Then you could use journaling, therapy, a letting go ritual, or talking to someone you trust to help you process and let go of what no longer aligns with who you are. Making Time for Silence |
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I made a decision this year, to avoid the news as much as I could, for as long as I could. But recently, life seems to have said no to that intention.
You must know this one thing and I am going to make sure you see it everywhere. |
You might try to ignore it, but I am not going to let you.
So the other night, I watched a video. Its message was simple but terrifying. NO ONE IS SAFE NOW.
And in the first few moments after watching it, an old friend visited me, the one who reminds me of all the things that are worse than death.
I'd rather be dead than permanently separated from my family.
I'd rather be dead than imprisoned.
I'd rather be dead than tortured.
But though that is all true, in the next few moments, I remembered that I am here for a reason. And that I have a mission and a purpose.
What to Do When You're Terrified
Today I'm thinking that fearlessness is not about subduing fear. It's more about the way you decide to respond to fear.
You can choose love
You can choose meaning & joy
You can stay grounded in your truth
You can stay connected to your faith/higher self
I had already been tweaking my Fearless Lightworker toolkit for about the past week or so. So today, I dove into it.
I thought, if this helps me today, I'll know I've got something I can trust.
I listened to two of my meditations, Remembering Who You Are and Becoming Fearless. I did the new, brief morning ritual.
I answered a couple of the new journal questions, considering what would be different if I were living as the observer, guided by my higher self in every moment. And I put some of the powerful affirmations into my heart.
Oh my gosh, I felt so much better!
If you also have been watching the news and feeling afraid (or terrified), what would help you feel calmer again?
I'm going to return you now to our regularly scheduled programming ;), and I hope that these suggestions for staying grounded will be soothing to you.
Staying Grounded No Matter What
As a lightworker, you might often feel drained, afraid, or overwhelmed in response to the world's chaos, or your own challenges. But staying grounded is essential.
So, in this post, I've got five simple spiritual grounding techniques to help you protect your energy, feel peaceful, and stay centered—no matter what’s happening around you.
5 Spiritual Grounding Techniques
(1) Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors, letting nature refresh and restore your energy.
Walk barefoot on the grass, breathe in the fresh air, or simply sit quietly under a tree. Creating a sense of connection to the earth can ground you and bring a sense of calm.
But if, like me, you have terrible allergies, park yourself next to a window. Or choose a virtual connection with nature.
(2) Mindful Breathing: Focus on your breath to anchor yourself in the present moment.
Take deep, slow breaths, inhaling peace and exhaling stress. Coming back to your breathing can help you regain calm, even in the midst of turmoil.
And then, you’ll be able to approach the situation with more clarity.
(3) Visualization Techniques: Envision roots growing from the soles of your feet and going deep into the earth, grounding you securely.
Imagine drawing up strength and stability from the earth, filling your entire being with a calming energy.
(4) Crystals for Grounding: Use grounding stones like obsidian, hematite or black tourmaline into your daily routine.
All of these crystals absorb negative energy and provide a protective barrier, which can help you return to feeling centered and balanced.
(5) Body Movement: Engage in physical activities that connect you to your body, such as yoga or tai chi, or even simple stretching.
Anything that helps get you solidly into your body or connected to it will help you feel more grounded.
Experiment with the grounding techniques that call to you, and then choose the ones that work to weave into your daily life. Once you are using the ones that work for you every day, you’ll be able to stay grounded even when life becomes chaotic.
Are you using any of these techniques already?
See you next time!
Love, Jeanine
P.S. Something else that was helpful to me on the day I added to this post was this video with Gary Zukav. He talked about using meaning and joy to engender trust.
You get a life of meaning or a life that's empty of meaning depending on your choices of love or fear. - Gary Zukav
Last week, we talked about limbic resonance and I said that in our next post, I wanted to explore how we could use self-love for the emotional healing that limbic resonance & revision can generate. So, here we go!
When you engage in self-care or speak kindly to yourself, your brain reinforces a positive loop, making it easier to cultivate self-compassion over time. Practicing self-love doesn’t just improve how you feel—it actually changes how your brain functions.
-Psychology Today
In the last post, I gave you the Gemini AI summary of the video, and thought it would be fun to take that summary and make it visual...
What is Limbic Resonance?
Limbic resonance refers to the way our emotional brains can connect to and influence one another.
We talked about it in last week’s post, and we were all surprised that loving attention could have such a powerful and positive impact on someone else.
The video I referenced explained that when we connect with each other emotionally, we can influence each other emotionally. If the connection is a loving one, we can help each other heal.
But what I really want to talk about today is the influence we can have on ourselves with self-love and emotional self-care.
The Power of Self-Love
Self-love is recognizing your own worth, treating yourself with kindness and compassion, prioritizing your own needs, and forgiving yourself when you make a mistake. It also includes setting boundaries with yourself and others when you need to, in order to protect yourself emotionally.
Self-love fosters resilience and helps you build emotional stability, making it easier to navigate difficult situations without becoming completely undone. It strengthens you.
So it’s crucial when life gets messy, as it always does. Can I get an amen?
Self-Love Rituals
Daily self-love rituals can be part of the way you make yourself a priority. They can help you prepare for the day emotionally or help you recover from the day later on.
Here are some simple practices that can help.
Journaling for Emotional Self-Care
Journaling can be a powerful tool for emotional self-care. Setting aside time every day to write about your thoughts and feelings would be a great way to give yourself the loving attention we’re talking about, and that means it could help you heal. Try these prompts.
What shall I celebrate about myself today?
How can I lavish myself with kindness?
What can I do to nurture myself more this week?
In my toolkit, The Fearless Lightworker, the journal prompts can help you identify how you’re feeling about and reacting to the challenges you are facing, including feelings you might be hiding from yourself.
To give you example of hiding your feelings, I often catch myself reflexively saying to myself, “that’s okay,” when actually I am angry or hurt. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to be okay with things that are not okay at all.
Daily Meditation Practices
Meditation can help you connect to your higher self (a higher frequency version of yourself who loves you). It also can help you get calm or return to center when something goes wrong.
Try spending a few minutes each day focusing on your breath. Or try a guided meditation.
For self-love, you might try the loving-kindness meditation. Here, you mentally send compassion to yourself and others.
This practice may help you love yourself and calm yourself more, bridging the gap to limbic resonance.
In my toolkit, The Fearless Lightworker, I have a guided meditation dedicated to helping you remember the truth of who you are, and it helps me love myself more every time I do it.
In fact, I had to record it (and the other meditations) several times until there were no mistakes, and though initially, that was a bit annoying, I felt really connected to my higher self by the time I was done.
Using Crystals like Rose Quartz
Rose quartz would be a perfect crystal for your self-love rituals. It's known as the stone of unconditional love.
Place it near you, hold it during meditation, or wear it as jewelry to remind you of your commitment to self-love and to feel more of the energy and frequency of love.
The Takeaway:
Self-Love for Emotional Healing
At its best, limbic resonance can lead to emotional healing. With self-love, you turn that loving attention on yourself.
And self-love can act as a catalyst for healing not just for you but also for those around you. You may find that as you heal yourself, emotional wounds in relationships can begin to heal, too.
And one reason I am emphasizing self-love is that, in the story Deepak Chopra told in the video I shared last week, he basically described how you can heal someone emotionally with loving energy. Well, that’s energy healing.
And those of us who are healers know that you can turn that same healing energy on yourself. The video, and the concept of limbic resonance in general, made it clear that the only tool or technique you need for healing is love.
(Cue the Beatles song)
See you tomorrow!
Love, Jeanine
The Problem with the
Limbic System
The limbic system is a part of our brain that helps us process our feelings and our memories. It's actually a group of brain structures that includes the amygdala, the hippocampus and the hypothalamus.
The amygdala helps us process our feelings, like anger or fear, etc. The hippocampus helps us store what we experience as memory, which may also include the meaning we make of those experiences.
And the hypothalamus helps to regulate things like whether we feel hot or cold or when we become aware that we are hungry.
Google's AI reminded me that it is also connected to behavior, like fight or flight responses, and other survival behaviors.
So if we have patterned ways of responding to life, the limbic system probably has had a hand in creating that repetition. And if the limbic system is dysfunctional, that is not a good thing.
We can overreact emotionally and have a hard time managing our feelings. We can have constant stress because our fight-or-flight responses gets triggered when we aren't actually in danger.
And this is only the beginning. Mental health issues and physical health challenges can all begin with a limbic system that is dysfunctional.
Now, I am just scratching the surface and giving you a summary of what I know or have learned about the limbic system, so that you will better understand the concepts below about how we can affect each other emotionally.
Our brain chemistry and nervous systems are measurably affected by those closest to us (limbic resonance); that our systems synchronize with one another in a way that has profound implications for personality and lifelong emotional health (limbic regulation); and that these set patterns can be modified through therapeutic practice (limbic revision) - Wikipedia, referencing A General Theory of Love
Limbic Healing and Self-Care
Last month, I watched an episode of Mayim Bialik's podcast (she is an actress and a neuroscientist) and she was talking to Deepak Chopra. I loved the whole thing - it was fascinating - but was particularly struck by what he said about affecting the limbic system.
He described a situation during which one person gave loving attention to another one and that led to limbic resonance, which then meant that the one person was able to heal the other person. In fact, that entire portion of the podcast explained how energy healing works!
Here's Gemini's summary of the video...
Here's a summary of the connection between love and the limbic system, as discussed in the video:
When individuals are in a loving relationship, a healing process occurs. If the healer pays loving attention to the patient, limbic resonance occurs, causing their emotional brains to synchronize [47:41].
The healer's limbic system then starts to regulate the patient's nervous system and neural networks through loving attention [47:49]. This attention involves listening, affection, appreciation, and acceptance [48:14].
Limbic resonance evolves into limbic regulation, rewiring the neural networks [48:36].
Ultimately, limbic revision takes place, leading to changes in the brain [48:47].
This process explains energetic healing, where healers can connect and heal patients remotely [48:56]. Love, in this context, is described as non-local correlation or entanglement, connecting souls [49:12].
To learn more from this fascinating video, watch the video below.
But first, can you imagine the power of our own self-care for healing us? Taking the time for self-care, and then giving yourself loving attention, acceptance and appreciation for who you are will likely lead to healing.
When you practice self-love, your brain shifts. The emotional centers of your brain, like the limbic system, begin to regulate emotions more effectively. Self-love strengthens the prefrontal cortex, which helps with self-awareness, decision-making, and emotional balance, while also calming the amygdala, reducing fear and anxiety.
-Psychology Today
I want to talk more about practicing self-love and emotional self-care in the next post, but meanwhile, in your experience of yourself and others for the next few days, think about the power of loving attention.
To yourself and to those you encounter. And what about letting love in more and how that might have a healing impact on us.
Let me know if you watch the video, or even that part of it. Tell me what you think.
Have a great weekend! See you next week.
Love, Jeanine
Be the Loving Observer of Your
Thoughts, Feelings & Reactions
Accepting them without judgment
as they move through you
and then into the past
When you were growing up, were you ever told that you were being selfish? Did other adults ever tease your parents about how spoiled you were?
Or maybe there was nothing so explicit, but you had the vague feeling that you were a bother, or that other people's needs were more important than your own?
If you grew up in a dysfunctional family, like I did, it's possible that all those things happened. And they were all true during my early years.
One of the things they don't tell those of us who grew up that way is how hard it's going to be to give yourself permission to take good care of yourself.
You know that movie where the call is coming from inside the house? Well, once you get to adulthood, it's you who will get in the way of the self-care you deserve.
Let's take a closer look at this phenomenon...
While self-care is essential for your well-being, prioritizing it will likely require more than just setting aside time. Making it a priority involves a deeper commitment to valuing yourself and to making choices that support your energy and peace.
Here are the things no one tells you about what it really takes to make self-care a priority...
It's Probably Going to Feel Uncomfy at First
But those feelings of discomfort don't mean that the choice you're making, to take better care of yourself, is wrong. Shifting your focus to yourself can bring up discomfort, resistance, and even guilt. You might have to unlearn some of your old beliefs, let go of habits that no longer serve you, and redefine what self-care actually means to you.
And it's normal to experience discomfort, or to resist change. You might feel guilty for saying no, taking breaks, or setting boundaries.
If you have spent years putting others first, focusing on yourself may not feel right. You may worry about disappointing people or feel like you should be doing something “more productive” with your time.
But over time, as you continue to prioritize yourself, the discomfort will fade. The more consistent you are with self-care, the easier it will become to see it as an important and necessary part of your life.
You'll Let Go of What No Longer Serves You as You Become
More Self-Aware
I've lived with some self-care shoulds over the years that I eventually had to let go of because they no longer fit.
For example, I use to have it in my head that I should meditate for an hour a day, right after I woke up. But over time, I realized that any time spent meditating was good for me, no matter what time of day I did.
Are you aware of any self-care shoulds? I am still learning to ask myself if new self-care ideas are actually right for me, or just something I think I should do.
These kinds of realizations and changes are a normal part of the process.
When you start choosing self-care, you become more aware of what drains you and what nourishes you. And sometimes it will surprise you.
For example, I think of myself as a night owl, but I actually feel better and have better days if I get up early in the morning, instead of sleeping in.
Some things just stop working well for you, the way they once did, whether that's familiar habits, comfortable routines or relationships you thought were forever.
You'll Have to Let Go of Societal Conditioning about Productivity
As someone with several chronic but invisible illnesses, I have had to learn to do this myself.
Society taught us to equate our worth with productivity. You may have learned that being busy is a badge of honor and a sign of success, while rest is seen as laziness.
Having that mindset can make it difficult to prioritize self-care without feeling guilty. But to make self-care a true priority, you'll have to let it go.
Taking care of yourself is never a waste of time.
And when you can completely let go of the idea that you must always be doing something, you will give yourself permission to slow down, recharge, and focus on what truly matters.
By the way, perfectionism is a close cousin of the productivity rule.
And for those of us who struggle with perfectionism, it would be second nature to try to make self-care another thing you need to do “right.” You might think you need the perfect routine, the right tools, or a certain amount of time to practice self-care the right way.
But real self-care is not about perfection.
It's really about meeting yourself where you are and doing what feels good in the moment.
Some days, self-care might be a long, relaxing routine. Other days, it might be simply taking a few deep breaths.
I've had to let go of the idea that it should be the same every day.
Perfectionism makes self-care another task or obligation on your to-do list. When we can let go of old programming about both perfection and productivity, then we'll really be free.
Does this post resonate with you? Tell me what you think in the comments section.
Have a great weekend!
Love, Jeanine
Before reading any further, take a moment to breathe and get still, and then, close your eyes and imagine your ideal life.
What do you see? What sounds do you hear? What does it smell like? And feel like?
Believe it or not, if you've just done that visualization, then you've already begun vision boarding. But go back and envision stepping into your self-care era.
Consider writing down your answers to the questions above.
Here are mine - the ocean and a big fireplace. Ocean waves, the words I love you, and my favorite music. Salty air and a cookie candle. Deep peace, hugs and my favorite throw.
Watch this video below. She's a young doctor who gives a great tutorial on the neuroscience of creating a vision board that works...
Vision boards work best when they are conducive to action. - Dr. Izzy Sealey
Steps to Create Your Vision Board
Here's a summary of the 5 steps she outlines in the video.
(1) Dream - imagine your life three years from now.
Take several minutes to close your eyes and visualize it in detail. Then write it down somewhere - preferably in your journal.
(2) Grab the Images - start looking for images that are a match to your intentions, but make sure to include the ones you connect to emotionally.
And don't just choose pics that show the outcome you want, but also look for ones that show the process that leads to making your dreams come true.
(3) Dump - take the images you've chosen and put them into a blank document. Canva offers a way to move them around and change the size of the document.
(4) Refine - this is where you look at each of the images you found and choose the best ones for your vision board.
When you've finished, you'll have what she calls a core collection. Next, you can personalize the ones you have by adding your name or your picture and/or specific details relating to your intentions.
(5) Coalesce - this is where it all comes together.
Start by deciding on the dimensions you want for your canvas. Play around with your layout until it feels just right for you.
By the way, if you're not sure how to do that, she shows you how to do it two different ways. I think one was in Notion and the other, Canva.
In the video, she suggests placing similar images near each other.
And once your vision board is complete, she recommends looking at it every day, and thinking of ways to take action in support of your intentions.
If you have managed to create a vision board you feel connected to emotionally, that will help motivate you to move in its direction.
Have you ever created a vision board that worked?
I'm not sure what happened to the video about this, but I remember a story about a family moving to a new house, and collecting their last bits from the old one. In the attic, the father found a 10-year-old vision board that had somehow gotten buried up there. He was shocked to discover that the house he was moving to looked exactly like the one in the picture he'd placed on his vision board ten years earlier.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Part of my self-care this month will be giving myself long weekends off, so I won't see you again until Tuesday.
Love, Jeanine
Okay, if you've been reading along, it might seem like I am driving the self-care point home.
Still, ask yourself, how good am I at taking care of myself, especially emotionally? Let's find out if the time has come to begin your self-care era.
10 Signs it's Time for
Your Self-Care Era
(1) You have spent so much time focusing on responsibilities, obligations, and other people’s needs that your own well-being has taken a backseat.
(2) You often go through your days without checking in with yourself. You do what needs to be done, but you rarely stop to ask what you need.
When you do have free time, it's hard to figure out what to do with it because you're so disconnected from your own wants and needs.
(3) Your to-do list is starting to feel like a never-ending list of things you have to do rather than things you want to do. Even some of the things you used to enjoy now feel like obligations.
(4) You wake up feeling exhausted even before the day begins.
(5) You've told yourself you're going to start making yourself a priority, but there never seems to be enough time, and life gets in the way.
(6) It often feels like you are living your day in survival mode and you're starting to fantasize about running away where no one can find you. :)
(7) Part of the problem is that you worry about what others will think, and that makes it hard to say no.
(8) You feel depleted at the end of each day but you don't want the day to end because you're just going to have to do it all again tomorrow, once you wake up.
(9) You rely on caffeine to keep going and pretend that all is well, but really it's not.
(10) You buy things that are meant to be used for self-care but they are gathering dust because you never get around to using them.
Easy Scoring
Give yourself 10 points for each yes answer. The higher your score, the more critical it is that you make a huge shift in the direction of emotional self-care.
Tell me how you did in the comments. :)
See you tomorrow!
Love, Jeanine
Yesterday, I suggested a spiritual experiment. but why not try for more self-care this month, too?
Self-care isn’t a luxury right now. It’s not an indulgence. It’s not for the people who can “afford” it — it’s for the people who can’t afford not to. You can’t afford to let your nervous system hijack this whole situationship, because we need you. You, fully here, alert, steady. - Joylynn Okoye, How not to Have a Breakdown While America Does
Try this Breathing Exercise
Before you try it, check in with yourself. How anxious, frustrated or otherwise stressed are you feeling right now?
Give it a rating on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being an indicator that your stress feels off the rails (zero would make me wonder if you are sleepwalking.)
For the second time, when I read the article I quoted from, I read that breathing out for a longer count than the in-breath tells your body that you're okay. So take a moment to do that right now.
Breathe in and count to four, hold it for four, and then release it, counting to six.
Let Your Self-Care Era Begin Now
Let's try an experiment. Make a commitment to do at least one thing for yourself that nurtures you each day, even if it's only pausing to breathe deeply and slowly.
At the end of the month, come back and tell me if you are feeling more grounded.
And let's have a conversation this month about how important self-care is right now.
See you tomorrow!
Love, Jeanine
P.S. Have you tried focused awareness, like I mentioned yesterday?
One great way to take care of yourself is to slow down, get still, soften your energy and open your heart. Try it every time you pause to breathe deeply.
Hi, I'm Jeanine
I help highly sensitive, awakened healers come home to themselves & create emotional healing, comfort and joy through gentle self-tending techniques and warm, cozy rituals.
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