I had this whole idea of a blog post on how to have a mindful fourth of July, but I have to scrap it because I couldn’t focus to finish it. After a deep dive google search and a phrase just spewing from my mouth would result in this week’s blog post about Soul exhaustion- who would have thought it would have been that.
It seems like the more I work on myself through this self-improvement journey. I am finding more and more things about myself that explain A LOT. I have posted on Instagram, even on here before, that I have been in a funk. When I have been in this funk and didn’t know how to get out of it. Eventually, I finally got out of my little funk and moved on with my life… or so I thought.
This past week I have been in a MAJOR funk and I couldn’t put into comprehendible words to describe what I felt. I couldn’t understand what was happening because I have been sleeping amazingly, bought a new memory foam mattress pad for our bed. Sleep has been amazing, I sleep 8 hours a night like a baby. We went back to the gym. I was journaling… living my best life. I was doing great then BAM!
Trying to figure out what is wrong
I am tired, I have no motivation, I sit down to work on a post and I ended up making something to track my progress on said posts. Because of this, I can’t focus. Then I beat myself up because my house isn’t a mess, but some things do need to be done around here. Dinner has been made once this week by me.
I know I have talked before about being mentally and emotionally exhausted, but this feeling was MORE than that. When you have been mentally and emotionally exhausted you know what that feels like and this wasn’t it. I knew what had to be done, I was more than willing to do it, but my physical being wouldn’t let myself do it. If that makes sense.
The phrase that changed everything
Last night I finally said to Mike “I don’t know what’s going on with me, I am tired, unmotivated, can’t focus. Maybe I am feeling a little depressed, but I don’t think that’s it. I am all those things but I don’t feel it in my body. Its kind of like my soul is tired.”
He didn’t really understand what I meant. So I explained it as “the way you can see my aura around my body, it radiates this energy, but now think of seeing my aura inside (as in my soul) and what it is radiating. That part of me is tired.”My soul is tired
What is soul exhaustion?
Your soul is exhausted. And soul exhaustion is all-consuming. Soul exhaustion will drain your spirit in a way you never knew possible. Soul exhaustion can feel as if you’re running a marathon without an end. Medium.com by Megan Minutillo
I have never experienced this before EVER. That one phrase sent me down this rabbit hole last night. I was very glad to see I was not the only one who has thought this. During my rabbit hole, I found this article on the site The Minds Journal.
On the site, they have this test of rubbing your palms together for 30 seconds then slowly start pulling your hands apart. What I felt was the energy disappear almost instantly. I was convinced that my soul is tired. It wasn’t physically my body, it was my physical being that is tired. My mind is officially blown.
So I want to share with you the things I am going to do this weekend to awaken my soul.
Move my body
As much I say to Mike I don’t want to go to the gym. I always end up going and feel amazing after a great workout. I have specific goals I want to reach especially with my PCOS. Even if I don’t go to the gym I still want to move my body while at home. Moving your body especially to a good playlist can easily wake up your soul. I created a feel-good music playlist that just makes me want to dance around the house and let loose. In addition, I have a playlist for cleaning the house. Take a lookie if interested.
These next 3 I can do all at the same time or individually. Its all up to me.
Meditate
I am not one to meditate but I think just sitting or laying down focusing on myself and clearing my mind could definitely help. Take the time to clear the cache and cookies stuck in my brain. Realizing I am an empath I feel a lot of things that are not my own feelings. It’s the remnants left over from the people I have come into contact with.
Deep breathing
I noticed this morning that laying in bed last night. I thought maybe I just need to cuddle with Mike. So when he woke up to use the bathroom I took that opportunity to cuddle with him by laying my head on his chest. I found myself trying to match his breathing. I found myself going to sleep easier. His breaths were short but deep. I found myself relaxing a lot quicker. I woke up this morning feeling slightly normal. Obviously the deep breathing helped. I started and finished this post. Yay me!
Listen to relaxing music
I think I have talked about this before but I have been into listening to Lo-Fi music on YouTube. Listening to it a lot while I am writing because it doesn’t have a lot of words and make me want to sing along to it. I can just listen to these relaxing beats and work. I also have a playlist of all my favorite Lo-Fi Playlists.
Add more art into my life
I don’t need to add more writing to my life because I blog almost every week, but I also journal. First, I am going to get a sketchbook just for coloring, water coloring, mixed media art. Second, I would love to find a hobby I enjoy that I could make money from on the side. I find a lot of things on my Pinterest board private like making jewelry, making tumblers, bath bombs, shower bombs. I need to take some money to buy the products to try some of these. Just be creative and have fun.
Go be in nature or by the water
My cousin just posted on Facebook yesterday about how much she needed to be by the water and I had been thinking about it all day. I want to walk a trail with greenery and water. I need to get out of this house. My environment is starting to affect my health. I want to lose my thoughts in between the trees and water.
I have been wanting to go to the beach since January and now we are in month 7 of not being able to go and fully enjoy myself. You know pandemic and shit happening. Not gonna chance it. I may have to buy a tiny family pool and set it up in my backyard just to lay in and float around. Let my body be weightless and get lost in nothingness echo because my ears are underwater. I want a full day to catch some sun and be one in nature.
Now I just have to do some research to find one in Tampa. Wish me luck. I share it on my Instagram if I find it. If you live in the area shoot me a message on Instagram and let me know if you know of a spot I would love.
My weekend plans
Saturday –
Go for a hike to clear our heads (take my sketchbook to draw what I see)
Pick up a healthy lunch while out
Go to the gym
Come home to make dinner
Watch a movie with my love
Watch fireworks from my front porch (it’s the 4th of July baby)
Sunday –
Wake up in the morning and do my morning routine
Spend the day home just chilling
Make Banana Nut Bread
Put on some good music
Light my favorite candle
Meditate in the bathtub (I will not be buying a pool this weekend.)
Go to bed early
Take the time to recharge and reconnect with your soul
We are in the 7th month of the year and I feel it taking a toll on me inside and out. I never thought I would have said “My soul is tired”. That is a phrase I never thought would come out of my mouth. Who is this girl? I am becoming more spiritually intuitive with my body and what it needs. So much so that I knew something was off and I knew it wasn’t my normal off. Don’t ignore the signs, you don’t want to make yourself more exhausted than you already are.
That’s all you can hope for while on your improvement journey is that you start to notice the 4 W’s. You know what, where, when, and who are affecting you. Start identifying those triggers and avoid them if you can. Pay attention to your environment and those 4 W’s. You might just be able to save yourself from Soul exhaustion and wondering what you did to make yourself feel this way. Please realize it’s not you, it’s them or your surroundings.
Until next time, Have a great day!
I see Your 4Ws to be a great tool to use when trying to revive your soul. It’s hasn’t been easy for the past 7month now, but giving up on your soul can be the answer. Thanks for your inspiring post.
You are very welcome. One must be aware of there surroundings and what could be causing this feeling.
Your article described what I’ve been feeling for a couple weeks now, thank you
You are very welcome Cassie. I hope you find some peace soon.
I enjoyed reading your article, it just simply makes you reminisce on life and how to better yourself. Thank you.
Thank you, Mary. I just want to bring awareness to others that there could be another reason for being tired all the time.
A family pool is a great idea! At least, it’s what we’ve done this summer!
I want one so BAAADDD, but we don’t plan on staying at our house when the lease it up. No point in getting one til we find our forever home.
Wow I have been feeling like this for a while now and never knew the name. Thank you for sharing
You are very welcome, Kimberly. I hope you find the peace you are looking for soon.
Art therapy really helps calm me down i always couldn’t find time to meditate
I think art therapy really helped. I just sat down for a few minutes when I put music on to clean. I focused on my breathing and relaxing music. Then I changed the music to something upbeat and started cleaning.
This article provides great and awesome ways of relieving one’s self from pressure accumulated due to soil exhaustion, makes the heart feel so heavy and in turn affects the whole body.
Yes, It was a combination of being mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted, it affected me to my core.
Very wise post, Michele. After almost 7 months in a different world to the one we usually inhabit it is bound to affect even the best of us. I find getting out into nature works for me.
Nature helps so much. I know I would feel so much better if I went swimming, but the tub will have to work for now.
I guess, after reading this I realize my soul is exhausted. Emotionally I am tired…
I said in a previous comment I think its a combination of mentally, physically, emotionally tired that its kind of affecting your aura or chi. It shakes you to your core.
It is so important to recharge your mind, body and soul!! Very helpful!!
Yes, I was working on my mind and body, I neglected the soul. That won’t happen again.
This sounds so much like what educators refer to as “teacher tired”. It’s so much more than just being physically tired.
Yes, I think its a combination of mentally, physically, emotionally tired that its kind of affecting your aura or chi. It shakes you to your core.
After reading this, I’ve realised somehow this might be what I’m feelin with all the stress happening now in my life.
I had a lot of stress going on personal, professional. I kid you not I took 4th of July weekend with Mike and did all the things. Nature, moving my body, being creative. I feel myself again.
This is a great idea for so many reasons. Thank you for sharing. And I sincerely hope you get that rest.
And me, too! Let’s put ourselves first.
I started going to the gym. Blasting upbeat music and just going to town working out. I feel back to myself now. Thank you. Yes, everyone get the rest you need.
I’ve felt exactly like this yesterday and today. Thank you for putting this into words!
I am glad I could help. I hope you are taking care of yourself.
I beleive that the most crucial thing is “Move my body” part
I think moving my body really helped. I have been going to the gym lately and my mind gets really clear while there.
These tips are super helpful! I can definitely relate to some of the things you stated. Super helpful article!
Thank you Anne-Kathrin. I appreciate the positive feedback.
I feel this sometimes. My soul gets tired but my body is not. I learned that we don’t need to pressure our selves to do things when we’re tired as of. Take a nap in a minute and walking out of our comfort zone are indeed important.
I have been seeing that a lot lately. Getting out of your comfort zones. I may have to write a post about it, because I know I have been getting out of my comfort zone a lot.
I had the exact same feeling two weeks into our quarantine here. It took a lot of self searching and letting go to get to where I am now. I’m still sailing in the unknown waves and hoping for the best. It feels so good to read these kind of articles.
There has been a lot of personal things going on, I think it all just wore me down mentally, emotionally, physically. I took care of my mind and body but forgot to check my soul.
Thank you for providing this informational article. This will certainly help a lot of people.
I hope it does. Most people don’t know that their soul could be tired, not just their mind and body.
I love the tip about adding more art! I think creativity has save me from going down some dark paths.
Yeah, when I took a step back I realized I wasn’t doing much that was creative. I have all the supplies, why not just let my mind wonder. I used to paint back in the day. I want to get back into it.
great piece. someone told me “to Find your inner voice before your highest self, tell your truth” in order to recharge and reconnect
That is really great advice. I just wrote that on a post-it for me to remember. Thank you!