Rebalancing and recharging energy is my Saturday Theme.
As with other aspects of my Daily Theming, I believe rebalancing energy is as valuable to wellbeing as quality time, mindset, lifestyle, heart & soul work, nutrition, and exercise. Furthermore, dedicating time to recharge my personal energy level is a nice way to close the week.
Saturday tends to be a good day to do things with family and friends, and get stuff done around the house. Since most people are off from work, I am suggesting that with a little shift in focus, Saturdays can also be the perfect time to augment & restore positive energy and practice self-care.
This said, I think it is important to note that everyone has a different way to restore their energy.
Introverts vs Extroverts
Do you know if you are an introverted or extroverted person? Knowing this may help you figure out how best to recharge. (See video on determining if you are an introvert or extrovert)
Extroverted people are outgoing, talkative and energetic. They are stimulated and reenergized with people. According to Psychology Today Magazine, three-quarters of the population in the United States (no statistics found for Canada) are extroverts. As such, there is cultural bias towards extroverts and social pressure to behave like them.
Conforming to an extroverted behavior and lifestyle is tiring for introverts, who are more reserved and prefer small groups or solitary activities.
Author Susan Cain further detailed the differences between introverts and extroverts in her best-selling book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop talking:
Introverts, in contrast [to extroverts], may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family […] Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.
Additionally, Cain advises people to “spend your free time the way you want to, not the way you are supposed to.” For example, she suggests staying home on New Year’s Eve if that makes you happy. Following this, I say, stay home on Saturday night if you don’t feel like going out.
How I rebalance my Energy
I think I am introverted-extrovert. Although I enjoy social gatherings, I am much more comfortable in a smaller group or in a one to one situation. My energy feels very scattered in a large group. I get overwhelmed easily at parties or in crowds.
Spending time on my own is sacred and seems to be the only I can restore my energy.
I love a quiet evening or morning alone to rebalance and refocus. I enjoy soaking in a hot bath with candles, reading a magazine in bed, my gym time (especially when it’s empty) and writing solo in a café with a latte.
Saturday Theme Questions
- On a scale of 1 to 10, what’s my energy like in general?
- Do I feel like being with people or spending time alone?
- Who do I want to spend time with?
- When do I have the most and the least energy?
- What can I do that is fun or different?
- What activities will help increase and sustain my energy today?
Saturday Theme Actions
- Get outside and spend time in nature. This is especially good for people who spend more time indoors during the week and for pitta (fiery) people;
- Eat well and practice good digestion habits. After all, food is fuel; {See Thursday Theme: Nutrition}
- Plan your Saturday day trip beforehand so that you are ready to go in the morning. (We have difficulty with this, but we are trying to improve.) This is especially helpful if you are out late on Friday;
- Let go of unnecessary stress {See Letting Go exercise};
- Connect with the people you love and who bring you joy;
- Explore a new place and do something different: a walk a different part of town, a new restaurant or an activity outside your comfort zone, maybe salsa dancing or zip lining;
- Change and improve the environment at home by tidying and cleaning your house and let go of things you don’t need. I highly recommend reading the book the ‘Life Changing Art of Tidying Up’ by Marie Kondo;
- Redecorate an area of your home by painting a wall, moving the furniture around or hanging some nice photos of friends and family;
- Fix things that are broken or need repair. This can include sewing on buttons, bringing bags or shoes to the shoemaker for repair, gluing things back together, etc. Discard things that can’t be fixed;
- Take a nap and maybe have a night in and go to sleep early (yes, even on a Saturday night);
- Finally, practice all the nice self-care rituals you know: yoga, meditation, pranayama, ayurvedic self-massage, day-dreaming, reading, etc.
If you have any other suggestions for a Saturday Theme or how to rebalance your energy, I’d love to hear them! Please post your comments below.