This weekend was so, so good for me.
I had so much fun with friends and then I had a great time unwinding once I got back.
We ended up talking at one point about where you draw your energy from.
Five years ago, I would have told you that I absolutely drew my energy from other people.
I was terrified then of being alone and thought that always being around friends would ensure I was happy.
It did…as long as I was around friends. When I was alone, I was incredibly lonely. I had no idea what to do with myself.
I moved up to New York and that gradually changed. Partially because it’s so acceptable to be alone in New York, and partially because in this hectic of a city, you have to have some time to yourself or you’ll go crazy.
I think it’s also an age thing, too. And that I’m surrounding myself with the right kind of people, that give off the energy I want to surround myself with.
I got home last night and was invited to a friend’s Friendsgiving. I’d deliberately avoided RSVPing definitively either way since I knew I might not want to go after spending a weekend constantly surrounded by people.
Sure enough, I wanted nothing more but some me time when I got back. I went to a hot yoga class (since I felt so bloated from dinner the night before) and for a mani/pedi. I came home and did some cooking, which was awesome until I dropped the frittata I made on the floor.
I went to sleep last night feeling more balanced than I had in a while. I’d drawn tons of positive energy from my friends this weekend that amped me up, and then I mellowed out alone with some yoga and me time.
Where do you draw your energy from? Do you constantly surround yourself with others to draw from their energies or does being with others too much drain your energy? I’d say I largely draw my energy from others but definitely need some me time to avoid feeling that time with others is a drain.
I LOVE this post! I think about this a lot. For me, it’s definitely a balance. I would have said a few years ago that I needed more alone time. I was in a time of trying to figure things out for myself and I needed more “control” in my life– hence the alone time. Now, I am way more go with the flow and am more at ease in my lifestyle so I like being with people more, but certainly still need time for me. I think it’s great that you know what to do with “you” time now. That is SO important! 🙂 Sounds like a great weekend.
love the red lips – you ladies look fabulous!
I think I go back and forth between drawing energy from friends/family and from being on my own. Sometimes during a particularly hard week, especially when I was in grad school, drinks or a coffee date with a friend was exactly what I needed to power through whatever was going on. Lately I’ve been enjoying the alone time more and the flexibility it gives me. Sounds like your weekend was the perfect balance of both!
I really got used to being alone when my husband was deployed for a year. It was the first time I was really independent and had to do things on my own… that sounds kinda sad, but true. I depended on him for everything. I was even scared to go get the oil changed myself! Since he got back, things have really changed for the better in that department.
I also need my me time. While i LOVE people (especially family) sometimes its important to just say No thanks!
You look so pretty! Looks like you had a fabulous time!
I can’t stop feeling sad that you dropped your frittata on the floor. That is devastating!
I draw my energy from “alone time.” Which is good, because I think it’s important to know how to be alone and be OK with it, but bad, because I have a tendency to withdraw sometimes and not attend as many social things as I probably should. It’s a hard balance.
I always thought I was an extrovert because I am fairly outgoing, but those terms actually refer to where you draw energy FROM, and for me that is alone time! I thrive on being alone – yoga, reading, quiet time in my apartment. I love my friends and having fun, but I need to recharge!
Great topic! I also hate being alone, but I do like “alone time”. I draw my energy from other people too, but hope that I can also find it within too. At the end of the day, we only have ourselves, so I think it’s great for us to try and work on drawing energy from within more often.
I used to think that people had to be one way or another, but I don’t think that’s the case! Sometimes I’m super in the mood to be around people and get really energized by it. And then, you know, you reach capacity and you’re like, “OK, all done!” But then after awhile, you miss people. I think I just like balance. People sometimes + me sometimes = happy girl.
I draw my energy from my children, they have so much life in them it’s hard not to be inspired.