Feeling flat? It's time to check your batteries

Recently, I've noticed a real "hot topic" with the people I'm coaching. It's about how, paradoxically, summer can feel more demanding than winter.

What's it been like for you? Has the summer been carefree and recharging, hectic and exhausting or somewhere between?

For many people, as much as they enjoy the summer, they sometimes feel there’s a sense of expectation to be constantly available, to maintain social connections, and make the most of every sunny day.

If that’s you, August might have left you feeling more drained than refreshed.

As we move towards the end of the summer, it’s a great time to take a pause and honestly assess how your inner ‘batteries’ are. What are the patterns that have developed over the past few months? What are some conscious choices you can make now about how you want to move forwards?

Ask yourself these questions:

Which moments this summer have left me feeling stretched most thinly?

If I could give myself permission to step back from time to time, what would I choose to let go of or delegate?

Where have I been doing things on autopilot or out of habit, rather than by making conscious choices?

When you answer these questions, you might notice an inner voice jumping in with familiar responses like "Everyone relies on me" or "I'm the only one who can do this properly."

Rather than engaging in an inner discussion with these thoughts, try viewing them as information. They can tell you a great deal about the values and life experiences that drive you.

Finding it difficult to share the load with others can be a sign that you care deeply for those around you and feel a strong sense of responsibility towards them. They’re admirable qualities for sure, but if they leave you with no room to meet your own needs, they can become problematic.

If you find it hard to look after yourself with as much care as you do other people, ask yourself:

What would life be like if I honoured both my care for others AND my own wellbeing?

This isn’t about choosing to do one of these over the other. It's about finding a sustainable way to do both.

Recharging your batteries

We recharge our batteries with self-care. For some people, self-care means creating some quiet time,, eating a satisfying meal, or getting a massage. It can also mean saying "no", putting yourself first, or choosing to do whatever it is that makes you feel cared for.

If the idea of self-care feels indulgent or selfish, it can be helpful to reframe it as 'self-preservation' instead.

By taking your own needs into consideration, you're not taking away from other people. You’re actually taking important steps to ensure that you have enough resources to do what matters most.

If you feel called to, you can go big and create dramatic life overhauls to help you recharge your batteries. You might also feel the benefit of focusing on small self-care actions you can realistically maintain.

These might include:

• Taking a few deep breaths before responding to requests. Ask yourself, "What do I actually need right now?"
  

• Keeping an evening per week that's completely yours
  

• Setting clear boundaries for yourself that you actively uphold around doing work after hours
  

• Saying no without giving an elaborate justification. A simple "I can’t do that" or “Thank you, but that doesn’t work for me” is often enough.
  

• Taking a 20-minute morning walk before the day begins
  

• Checking in with yourself about energy levels and stress on a regular basis

  
  

Moving forwards

I invite you to set some intentions to help you keep your batteries charged and your needs met as we move towards autumn and winter.

Ask yourself:

How do I want to feel as we go into the winter months ahead?

What one small change could I commit to over the next few months that would genuinely support my wellbeing?

Where in my life could I ask for or accept more support?

I want to add a note here to say that bringing in more self-care isn’t always easy to do. It’s especially challenging for people who have heavy responsibilities or difficulties with their energy, perhaps due to stress or physical health challenges.

If any thing I've written resonates with you, please be gentle with yourself. Patterns of running your battery down by over-giving don't develop overnight. Many of us feel at times that we just don't have opportunities to make changes. Please know that there is always something you can do; you might just need some help to work out how to do it.

How coaching can help

Coaching can be a great way to build confidence and develop skills to help manage life’s demands. You might benefit from working on delegating, assessing responsibilities, creating boundaries, or improving time management so you can operate in a way that’s more sustainable for you.

You don't have to wait until you're completely exhausted to make changes. You can start the process now, gently and with self-compassion.

Ready to make a change?

If you're interested in exploring how coaching can help you recharge your batteries, I warmly invite you to book a free 30-minute introductory coaching session. You can click here to book an appointment.