It was a Tuesday last year when I found myself staring at my laptop unable to focus. I had client notes I needed to complete. My third cup of coffee sat cold beside me. The tension headache from morning was back… with a vengeance.
I was completely depleted. Like a phone flashing 1% battery, I was running on empty and about to shut down.
If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. Too often, we’re operating like low-battery smartphones… Yes, we’re functioning, but way too close to the edge.
That’s why self-care is one of the most important topics in my coaching. It’s just too easy nowadays to deplete your energy and burn out.
Because the truth is, we can’t just treat our bodies and minds like inexhaustible resources. In fact, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this:
You cannot serve from an empty vessel.
Sometimes you just need to unplug and charge yourself up.
Take a deep breath. I’m going to show you how.
Beyond Bubble Baths
When I mention “self-care,” people often picture indulgent spa days or expensive retreats. While those things can be wonderful, real self-care goes much deeper.
Authentic self-care isn’t just about treating yourself—it’s about treating yourself as someone worthy of care. It’s not even a luxury… It’s maintenance.
Think about it this way: You wouldn’t expect your car to run indefinitely without fuel, oil changes, and regular tune-ups. So why expect this impossible standard from ourselves?
We All Need to Recharge
A few days of pushing through without proper rest won’t necessarily lead to burnout.
What we want to be conscious of is how much momentum that depletion builds up through repetition.
Your body and mind send depletion signals: irritability, brain fog, physical tension, sleep disturbances, or a sense of disconnection. These aren’t character flaws or signs of weakness—they’re your internal battery indicator flashing red.
We all need to recharge… and we also have a choice about when and how we do it.
You Don’t Have to Stay Depleted
I know so many people feel like they simply don’t have time for self-care. Maybe you’re juggling work demands, family responsibilities, and a dozen other commitments.
Maybe just the thought of adding “self-care” to your to-do list feels like too much!
It’s totally fine to feel that way. But instead of accepting depletion as your normal state, I want to show you how you can recharge your energy in ways that actually fit into your life.
Because most people miss this counterintuitive truth:
When it feels like you have the LEAST time for self-care is precisely when you need it MOST.
Because when you don’t replenish your reservoir, it shows up as:
- Decreased productivity (even if you work longer)
- Impaired decision-making
- Weakened immune function
- Strained relationships
- Reduced creativity and problem-solving
And that might mean snapping at your kids over small things… staring at your laptop in a daze (that was me!)… and it eventually leads to stress-related health issues. Nobody wants that.
Here are self-care tools I’ve chosen to live by.
3 Ways to Recharge Your Energy
When you start feeling like you’re running on empty, turn to any of these practices to recharge. They’ll shift your energy within minutes.
1. Practice the 5-5-5 breathing reset
This simple breathing technique can be done anywhere, anytime, and takes just one minute:
- Inhale deeply for 5 seconds
- Hold for 5 seconds
- Exhale slowly for 5 seconds
- Repeat 3-5 times
This 5-5-5- reset is so powerful because when we’re worn out, our breathing becomes shallow. This signals danger to our nervous system and depletes us even further. By consciously changing your breathing pattern, you interrupt this cycle.
Use it between meetings, before difficult conversations, or whenever you feel your energy dipping. It creates a moment of calm amid the chaos.
2. Identify your personal charging method
What charges you? This is deeply personal. For some, it’s relaxing activities and zoning out, maybe meditating or reading a book. Or just doing nothing. For others, it’s moving your body and doing some yoga or Pilates or going for a power walk.
The key is to identify activities that genuinely replenish your unique battery rather than those you think “should” work.
Ask yourself these questions:
- After which activities do I feel more energized?
- What did I love doing as a child that I’ve forgotten about?
- When do I lose track of time in a good way?
- What would I do if I had an unexpected free hour?
Sometimes activities you think would be relaxing—like attending social events or taking bubble baths—actually left you feeling more depleted. Meanwhile, activities you might not have considered—like gardening or organizing a closet—can unexpectedly restore you.
3. Create energy boundaries
This one is SO important… It’s one of the most overlooked aspects of self-care: protecting your energy through boundaries. So many of us are walking around with energy leaks we don’t even recognize.
Energy boundaries are the limits you set to protect your physical, mental, and emotional resources. This isn’t being selfish—it’s necessary for sustainable energy.
Common energy drains include:
- Saying yes when you want to say no
- Constant digital connectivity
- Energy-depleting people or environments
- Perfectionism and people-pleasing
- Ignoring your body’s signals
Try this simple boundary-setting script: “That sounds important, and I want to give it my full attention. I can focus on this when I’ve completed my current priorities.”
Just practice saying this until it feels natural. You’ll be amazed by its power…
In an instant you can set a boundary and reclaim your energy.
–Coach Mo
Recharging is a Moment-to-moment Practice
Self-care requires you to start paying attention to your energy levels and to consciously take action before you hit that critical 1%.
In time this will become second nature…. but at the beginning you have to develop the habit. So be kind and compassionate with yourself and celebrate each shift along the way, because each shift is a miracle.
You’ll fall back from time to time, and that’s fine. Don’t beat yourself. Your goal is just to recognize the warning signs earlier and recharge as soon as possible.
Remember that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. It’s not about escaping your responsibilities but showing up for them with your full capacity. It’s about recognizing that you are the most important resource in your life, and like any valuable resource, you require regular maintenance and care.
Your battery matters. Your energy matters. Your well-being matters.
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Ready to create a personalized self-care practice that actually works for your life? Send me an email at info@monicawiz.com and let’s recharge your batteries for good!
Love,
Coach Mo
