This year started with some really good energy and motivation. I was maintaining all the irons I had in the fire. However, over the last couple of weeks I have suffered from decreasing energy, an overwhelming feeling of malaise and definite writer’s block. This greatly concerned me and I began to wonder if I was really cut out to write like I have always dreamed.
However, after taking sometime, which I am sure my readers have noticed, I realized I was getting signals from my higher self that I was in need of some rest and self care. When we begin to feel worn down that is our mind and body telling us that we need to make some time for ourselves and to slow down. We try to do so much we end up ignoring our own well being. This is just what has happened to me.
I believe that those of us who are sensitive to energy, be it mediums, empaths, energy healers have a drive to help and enjoy the diverse tapestry of life that we become over exuberant; throwing ourselves into everything, hobbies, work, caring for family members and friends, we forget to take care of ourselves, and recharge our own batteries.
When this happens, we need to do a couple of things. The first is to re-evaluate our priorities, deciding what is most important to us. We need to take a step back, remind ourselves that we are part of the Divine and thus deserve as much respect and care as honoring our Deities. As witches we need to realize that our Gods and Goddesses are immanent. Most Pagan theology spouses the theory of immanence. We believe that the Divine is manifested in everything in the world- yet somehow we seem to forget that this means ourselves as well.
When we look at many different cultures mythos we can see that most polytheists didn’t believe that their Gods did everything; each God has an area in which they specialize; this area is their passion. If the Gods are not doing everything, why then, do we expect it of ourselves.
When we begin to asses our priorities we need to ask ourselves a few questions: What makes me happy? What things do I love doing? What things do I do simply because I feel I have to? Where do I feel stuck? What things and people make me feel drained or stressed?
Then we need to make a few decisions, and do something, we Americans, will resist doing as it is part of our culture. We let go of a few things. Now please don’t misunderstand me , I know there are certain things we just can’t stop doing; for instance: Dishes, this is not a favorite chore of most people, but it has to be done. However, over-scheduling ourselves with activities that we don’t have time to rest or relax is something we can control. For instance, Let me share a decision that I have come to, with a very long drawn out process. I am currently going to school; I started in 2011, going to online classes so that I can work it around my schedule. I am in a program that at one time really fascinated me. However, I am in the final stretch (after taking a year off) and I find myself dreading doing my work for class. My brain doesn’t seem to retain any of the information that I read, it is no longer interesting. I procrastinate and struggle with the assignments. At first I thought this was a symptom of going to college while living an adult life; I have come to realize that my heart is not in this degree, and I am currently trying to finish it simply to prove my ex (who said I never finish anything I start) wrong. The thought of pursuing this industry as a career makes me cringe. So, I am letting this pursuit go. I am releasing the guilt and shame of not completing it, letting go of the urge to prove my ex wrong and allowing myself to follow pursuits that energize me, that I am happy doing.
In the United States we are taught not to quit anything and to push through being miserable. We are told this is the only way to succeed; we are told that money and material possessions are the only measure of success and that we will be happy if we have these things, instead many of us end up stressed, unhappy, with broken marriages and ultimately unfulfilled. In recent years I have come to realize that the true success is having love, enjoying what you do and having a close connection with the Divine, being at peace with your choices. This is TRULY success.
After we have trimmed the fat and let go of what no longer serves us, figured out where we can create time in our schedule. Then take that time to get to know yourself. What pursuits do you really want to spend your time on? What things have you wished you had time to do- do them, explore and find what really makes you happy.
This is how you can push past Malaise. When I undertook the contemplation part I found that I was happiest when I was writing, and pursuing what I term priestess duties: Being engrossed in spiritual study, assisting friends and family with ritual and magical concerns, working on Tarot card readings. The more I thought about this, the more I wanted to pursue dreams I had when I was younger. The more I got excited and wanted to start really focusing on working toward my goals…even if I had no idea what I was doing.
I urge you, readers, to take a deep look; especially, when you are struggling and feeling completely drained- this is your higher self telling you that you need a change.
The Frith Wytch 