Empowerment Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Lucinda Curran, Sound Healer & Life Coach

Managing Your Energy

by Lucinda | 15, Nov 2024 | Empowerment, Energy, Inspiration, Motivation

Managing Your Energy – Making Intentional Choices About Where to Spend It

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget that our energy is a finite resource. Unlike time, which ticks on regardless, our energy ebbs and flows.

Life can throw us all over the place, like being onboard a ship in rough seas. But, when we’re intentional about where we spend it, we feel more balanced, fulfilled, and focused on what truly matters.

But for many, especially those of us who are neurodiverse, this process is more complex. We’re constantly picking up on extra information around us, which can be both enriching and exhausting.

Recognising Your Energy “Bank”

Think of your energy like a bank account. Just as you might budget your finances, it’s essential to budget your energy.

Each interaction, task, and even environment has an “energy cost,” which can differ for everyone.

When we become aware of what drains us and what replenishes us, we can make intentional choices about where to invest our energy.

Here are some helpful questions to start with – you might like to journal on these.

What activities or people make me feel energised? Whether it’s engaging in a hobby, talking with certain friends, or spending time outdoors, recognising these energisers can help you build them more consistently into your routine.
What drains my energy most? Pay attention to situations or interactions that leave you feeling depleted, and consider if you can minimise or balance them.
How does my energy feel throughout the day? Noticing when your energy rises and dips can help you to structure your day in a way that makes the best use of your natural rhythms.

Tips for Managing Your Energy

Once you know what affects your energy levels, you can make small adjustments so that you are intentionally protecting and managing it.

Here are a few techniques that work especially well for neurodiverse individuals:

Set Boundaries to Avoid Information Overload
News, social media, and even the everyday bustle of public spaces can be overwhelming. Give yourself permission to step back from sources of overstimulation and create small “retreats” of quiet whenever possible.
Practice Grounding Techniques
Grounding exercises like deep breathing, short meditations, or even sound healing can help recalibrate your mind and body. These moments bring you back to the present and help you recharge quickly.
Embrace a ‘Less is More’ Mentality
Instead of filling your day with endless to-dos, focus on two or three things that are most important to you. By reducing decision fatigue and honing in on priorities, you’ll conserve mental and emotional energy.
Recharge with Nature
Spending time outdoors or even just taking a few minutes to breathe fresh air can help clear your mind and replenish your reserves. Whether it’s a walk in the garden or a full day in nature, connecting with the Earth is an incredibly restorative experience.
Use Intentional Rest Periods
Rather than waiting until you’re exhausted to take a break, try planning intentional rest periods throughout your day. Even five minutes to stretch or close your eyes can make a world of difference.

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Energy is precious, and learning to manage it wisely allows us to live with greater joy, intention, and connection.

By prioritising your own wellbeing, you’ll not only feel more grounded but also have more to give to the things and people that matter most.

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Finish the Year Strong

by Lucinda | 12, Oct 2024 | Boundaries, Empowerment, Energy, Motivation, Priorities

How To Finish The Year Strong and Tune into What You Really Need

As the final quarter of the year unfolds, many of us find ourselves swept up in the whirlwind of social commitments, work deadlines, and festive preparations. It’s often called the “silly season” for a reason!

There’s pressure to show up everywhere, say yes to every event, and push ourselves to meet the demands of the season. But amid all this activity, have you ever stopped to ask yourself what you really need?

As we begin this final quarter, pause and spend some time in reflection and renewal. Instead of rushing through the next few months, take this opportunity to slow down and check in with yourself.

What if you could finish the year strong, instead of exhausting your reserves, if you could manage your energy in a way that truly supports your wellbeing?

This is where some deep self-inquiry comes in. Journalling is a powerful tool to help you connect with your inner wisdom and bring clarity to what’s most important for you.

Below are a few prompts to help guide you in this process. I encourage you to set aside some quiet time, get comfortable, and write freely in response to these questions. Let them help you tune into your own needs as the year draws to a close.

7 Journal Prompts to Finish the Year Strong

1. At a really deep level, what do I need?

This question invites you to bypass the surface-level ‘to-dos’ and look deeper into what your mind, body, and soul are asking for. Whether it’s more rest, a stronger sense of connection, or time alone to recharge, allow yourself to listen to your inner voice.

2. What commitments truly align with my values, and which ones drain my energy?

Not all activities bring equal satisfaction. Consider which events or tasks light you up and align with what matters most to you, versus those that feel obligatory or depleting.

3. How can I create boundaries that protect my energy during the busiest times?

We can’t say yes to everything. Reflect on where you might need to establish or reinforce boundaries to ensure you’re not overextending yourself.

4. What is one thing I can let go of that no longer serves me?

The end of the year is a great time to release what feels heavy or unnecessary, whether that’s an old habit, a commitment, or an emotional burden.

5. How can I incorporate moments of stillness or self-care into my daily routine?

During chaotic times, small practices of self-care can make all the difference. Explore how you can introduce or enhance moments of mindfulness, relaxation, or reflection to nourish yourself through the end of the year.

6. Who do I want to be at the start of the new year, and how can I embody that now?

Visualise the person you wish to become as the new year begins. What actions, mindset shifts, or choices can you make now that will help you align with that version of yourself?

7. What would it feel like to close the year with peace rather than pressure?

Imagine ending the year feeling peaceful and content rather than stressed and overwhelmed. How can you structure your time and energy to create that sense of ease as the year wraps up?

Some Final Words

As we approach the busiest time of the year, it’s essential to pause and reflect on what truly matters. These prompts are designed to help you connect with your deepest needs and find a sense of calm amid the chaos.

The goal isn’t to “get through” the end of the year but to finish strong – grounded, energised, and aligned with your authentic self.

Take a moment for yourself today, and start asking these important questions. You’re worth it!

Embrace Your Inner Strength

by Lucinda | 4, May 2024 | Boundaries, Empowerment, Inspiration

Embracing Your Inner Strength

Hey there! Today I want to explore ways to embrace your inner strength. Let’s dive in.

Have you ever felt like you’re floating downstream, carried along by the currents of life without much say in the matter?

It’s a common feeling, one that often leaves us feeling powerless and adrift. But here’s the thing – you have more power than you realise.

It’s time to reclaim it and step into your true strength.

With many clients that I’ve worked with over the years, there are times that they’ve felt completely overwhelmed and like life is out of their control. I’ve experienced this too.

For my client Joe, it seemed like no matter what he did, he couldn’t catch a break, and he started to lose sight of who he truly was. When he relayed this in-session, he realised that he had been giving away his power – allowing external circumstances to dictate his happiness and sense of self-worth.

It’s Time To Stop Giving Away Your Power

Let’s start by defining it.

What does it mean to “give your power away”?

Simply put, it’s when we allow outside influences to control how we think, feel, and act. Whether it’s seeking validation from others, comparing ourselves to unrealistic standards, or allowing fear to hold us back –

Giving away our power diminishes our sense of agency and autonomy.

We do this in many ways – and one of the most common ways is asking everybody for their advice. Another way is scrolling through social media and letting comparisons get the better of us. This can also see “imposter syndrome” creep in.

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There is a way out of this cycle.

The first step is recognising when we’re falling into the trap of giving away our power.

How? I hear you ask.

Pause and pay attention to how you feel in different situations.

Is there a sense of feeling empowered and in control?
Do you feel helpless and overwhelmed?

By tuning into our emotions and our bodies (even if it is just the flutter of a sensation from within), we can begin to identify patterns of behaviour that are holding us back.

If you aren’t sure what you are feeling, I invite you to tune into the sensations of expansion and contraction.

Here’s a quick exercise to help build this awareness –

Sit quietly. Take a few slow breaths. Place your hands on your heart to bring your attention to this area. Now bring to mind a situation or scenario. Notice if your heart feels expansive (opening, getting bigger, warm are some sensations you might feel) or is it contracting (tightening, getting smaller, making you curl over)?

Repeat this exercise with other scenarios.

The more you do it, the quicker it will be for you to identify whether you are feeling empowered or overwhelmed.

The Power Within

My question for you is: Do you believe that you have control over the events in your life?

The extent that you feel you can shape your own life is referred to as your “locus of control” (a concept developed by Rotter in 1954).

Those with an internal locus of control believe they have the power to influence their circumstances.

While those with an external locus of control believe that external forces determine their fate.

If you believe that you have some “control” over what happens in your life, you may be more motivated to go for what you want, rather than sit back and wait to see what lands in your lap.

I see there is a blend of empowerment and courage within an internal locus of control because it requires you to reach for what you want and be proactive in your life.

So, how can we reclaim our power?

It starts with cultivating a sense of inner calm so that we can become aware of our inner wisdom – that deep, intuitive knowing that guides us on our journey.

Practices like sound healing and life coaching can be powerful tools for connecting with this inner wisdom, helping us tap into our innate strength and resilience.

Cultivating Your Inner Strength

Here are some practices which I’ve found particularly helpful (for myself and my clients) – what I call a “Humming Meditation” and “Aware Breaths.”

Humming Meditation

Sit quietly and soften your gaze.

Take a few deep slow breaths in and out.

Begin to hum – at whatever volume and pitch that you like. Hum for a few minutes – you could start with 2 minutes and build up to 8-10 minutes.

While you are humming, become aware of where in your body you are feeling it. Are your lips buzzing? Or perhaps you can feel it in your chest? Or your throat? Or somewhere else?

When you finish humming, sit in the quietness and notice where in your body you are feeling the remnant vibrations.