What's Really Draining Your Energy? (And What Needs to Change?)
This week’s post is a continuation of last week’s.
In last week’s post we kicked off a new series based on my RESET method.
We slowed down long enough to notice something many women never stop to acknowledge:
We're living on autopilot.
That awareness is powerful.
This is the method that I discovered on my journey to healing from burnout, and have since used this method to help hundreds of other women on their journey to preventing, or recovering from burnout.
You can find that post here : Pause to Reset and Step Off Autopilot.
While awareness is powerful, awareness alone doesn't create change.
Now comes the next step in RESET … Evaluate.
Now that you've recognized you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or constantly running on empty, and what things and people are contributing to that, it's time to ask a different question…
Now that you've recognized you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or constantly running on empty, and what things and people are contributing to that, it's time to ask a different question…
Why?
Not...
"What's wrong with me?"
Instead...
"What's no longer working for me?"
Those are two very different questions.
One leads to shame.
The other leads to freedom.
The Hidden Energy Leaks
After years of working with women—and after experiencing burnout myself—I discovered that our greatest energy drains are often invisible.
They're the habits we've normalized.
The beliefs we've accepted.
The expectations we've placed on ourselves.
They're the things we don't question because we've been carrying them for so long.
Your Energy Might Be Leaking Through...
Saying yes when you desperately want to say no.
Feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness.
Perfectionism.
Never asking for help.
Feeling guilty every time you rest.
Constantly comparing yourself to others.
Believing your worth comes from productivity.
Relationships that leave you emotionally exhausted.
Carrying responsibilities no one actually asked you to carry.
No wonder you're tired.
Not Everything Deserves Your Energy
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was this:
Just because you can carry something doesn't mean you're meant to.
As women, many of us become experts at carrying.
We carry expectations.
We carry emotional labor.
We carry everyone's schedules.
We carry worries that aren't ours.
Eventually...
We become so accustomed to carrying everything that we don't realize we're the ones who are collapsing under the weight.
Evaluation is about asking: What can I finally put down?
Evaluate Without Judgment
This isn't about criticizing yourself. It's about becoming curious.
Curiosity creates awareness. Awareness creates choice. Choice creates change.
Instead of asking: "Why am I like this?"
Try asking:
What is draining my energy?
What gives me energy?
What situations consistently leave me feeling anxious?
Which relationships leave me feeling peaceful?
Where do I feel resentment?
What expectations am I trying to meet?
Are they actually mine?
Sometimes the answers surprise us.
Your Action Step
Draw a line down the center of a journal page.
Label one side:
Energy Givers
Label the other:
Energy Drainers
For the next three days, simply notice.
Every conversation.
Every meeting.
Every activity.
Every obligation.
Ask yourself one question:
Did this give me energy... or take it away?
Don't try to change anything yet.
Just evaluate.
Patterns will begin to emerge. Those patterns become your roadmap.
Reflection Journal Prompt
If I stopped living according to everyone else's expectations, what would I choose differently?
Don't overthink it. Write honestly. You might be surprised by what you've been wanting all along.
You're Not Meant to Do This Alone
Inside you'll find:
Monthly live coaching
A supportive community of women on the same journey
Exclusive trainings and resources
Guided journaling prompts
Three FREE wellness courses
Honest conversations about burnout, boundaries, purpose, and creating a life you don't need to escape from.
If you're ready to stop surviving and start living intentionally, I'd love to welcome you.
Join us inside The Women's Reset Collective on Skool.
Together, we'll take the next step.
Next Week...
Now that you've recognized where your energy is going and evaluated what needs to change...it's time to create space for something better.
Next week, we'll explore the S in The RESET Method: Simplify.
We'll talk about how to let go of unnecessary commitments, reduce mental clutter, and make room for what truly matters—without guilt.
Because every "yes" to what matters begins with a courageous "no" to what doesn't.
I'll see you next week.
