When Your Body Says “Enough”: A Lesson in Protecting My Own Energy

I was in two minds whether to write this post or not, but it is Wellness Wednesday Blog time and I like to be honest and accountable when I am writing, so here I am keeping it very honest and very personal. Last week was chaotic, overwhelming and, if I’m honest, definitely a bit of a wake-up call for me.

I often talk about the importance of protecting your energy, slowing down and listening to your body… but last week I realised I hadn’t actually been listening to my own advice quite as well as I should have been.

Running your own business (especially a  new one from scratch) can sometimes mean wearing every hat. When something needs doing, there isn’t someone else to step in and pick things up for you and that pressure can quietly build inside of you without you even realising it.

Over the past few weeks I have been pushing myself far more than usual. The days were busy, the to-do list felt endless and I was very much in that masculine energy of “doing”.

Then wham right in the middle of the coffee shop - my body decided it had had enough. All of a sudden I didn’t feel well, I went dizzy and nauseous initially and then the chest pains began, which understandably put me in  a panic given my history -  after five hours in A&E to make sure it wasn’t my heart again (thankfully it wasn’t), it became very clear that stress had been a major contributing factor to why I was feeling so unwell.

Living with that familiar challenge many of us with chronic conditions know all too well – PACING had gone out of the window! Many of you may have heard of the spoon theory, the idea that our energy each day is limited and if we use all our “spoons” too quickly, there is nothing left for the rest of the day.

Well for the last couple of weeks I used far too many spoons far too early in the day and I was crawling into bed exhausted every single evening - my energy was completely depleted.

For the first time, I missed posting my weekly blog and I had to postpone my Reiki group, something I almost never do. I also cancelled my own coaching sessions and spent two full days at home doing very little at all.

And by very little, I mean the things that truly restore my energy rather than deplete it.

💚I increased my self-Reiki practice.
💚 I spent time journaling and sitting with my crystals - I love to write 🤍
💚I prioritised quiet, alone time as I was not up for company.
💚 I sat in the garden in the fresh air and even hugged a tree - grounding myself in nature when I didn’t feel strong enough for my usual daily walks.

My early sea dips, something I absolutely love, have had to go on pause for now while my body resets, but those quiet days were exactly what my nervous system needed.

It was a reminder that emotional exhaustion can be just as draining on the body as physical fatigue.

Interestingly, the oracle card I pulled this week was Smoky Quartz, a crystal known for grounding, protection and emotional release. The message was about allowing suppressed emotions to be expressed rather than holding them inside.

At the time, I realised that message wasn’t just for the people reading my posts - it was also for me and I  needed to take my own advice and listen to the universe!

When we stay in constant “doing mode”, pushing through stress and overwhelm, we often don’t allow our bodies to feel safe enough to process what we are actually feeling. The emotions remain suppressed and the nervous system stays in a heightened state, often referred to as “fight or flight”. 

As I have found out the hard way over the years - our bodies will always find a way to get our attention eventually!

Thankfully, after slowing down, resting and giving myself permission to truly reset, I am feeling so much better this week.😊

In fact, something rather lovely happened. Last night I finally held the Reiki group that had been postponed, and it turned out to be a small, intimate and incredibly beautiful evening.

We began with a heart-opening sacred hawthorn ceremony, followed by a guided meditation journey, intentional journaling and Reiki healing. The energy in the room was gentle, open and deeply supportive - sometimes the sessions that are smaller can actually be the most powerful.

This week has also brought two new clients on board, which has filled my heart with such gratitude and it reminded me of something important.

When we honour our own energy and allow ourselves to rest when we need to, we return to our work from a place of authentic presence rather than depletion.

So if you’re reading this and feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or stretched too thin, please know this:

➡️You are not weak for needing to rest.
➡️ You are not failing if you need to slow down.
➡️And your body is never working against you - it is simply asking you to listen.

✨Protecting your energy is not selfish - it is essential.✨

If this story resonated with you and you feel your own energy may need some support, Reiki can be a beautiful way to help with emotional support, restore balance and calm the nervous system. I offer both in-person (IOM only) and remote Reiki sessions, and you are always welcome to reach out if you feel called to explore this work.

And before I go, I invite you to answer one gentle question to check in with yourself today:

“Where in your life might your body be asking you to slow down?”

Love & light,

Donna Marie 💚