We all know that feeling of being “peopled out”. That feeling of just wanting to throw yourself on the sofa, binge watch some show, binge eat a sharing bag of crisps and fall asleep on the sofa. Social overwhelm is so common and we sometimes don’t recognise that we might need to build in some rest time after busy social periods.
Now I love a good sofa-tv-crisps break just as much as the next person, but I can now distinguish between it being a bit of a rest now and again, or it being an escape from the overwhelm. When I was using that as a coping tool every evening, then I knew it was the opposite of what I needed.
The more I’ve done this energetic “work”, the more aware I am of my physical energy levels after spending time in big groups in all sorts of different settings. I’ve noticed my flags are things like headaches, fatigue and bad moods that range from just out-of-sorts to full on ragey (less common now thankfully 😅 )!
There are likely many reasons for this:
- I’m more sensitive to other people’s energy and I’m still balancing this for myself when in big crowds.
- I’m now more aware of myself and who I am. I’m outgoing by nature but also by nurture (hello conditioning). The difference between them is that by nature I’m aware that I also need to be on my own to recharge after being with a group. By nurture I would have pushed on through so as to be everything to everyone. So I’ve knocked that on the head…..I value my rest and I listen to my body for when I need it.
My point here? Becoming aware of what lights you up and what dims you is STEP 1. What lights you up is what brings you joy and ease and what feels expansive in your body. What dims you is what leaves you feeling constricted in your body, fatigued and looking for an escape (doom-scrolling anyone?).
STEP 2 is knowing what you need when your energy dims.
That could be time on your own or time with your closest peeps.
It could be movement or time in nature.
It could be weight-training or a yoga class.
It could be R & R — what most call rest and rejuvenation but what I prefer to call return and remember. Return to yourself by going in, through meditation or journalling and remember who you are at your core and what you need.
I can help you with achieving this awareness and figuring out what tools are easiest and most effective for you. Check out my group healing spirals -- Rooted Connection or Rising Souls -- or my 1:1 healing pages for more details.
Until next time,
Le grá,
