From Running on Fumes to Refueling Vitality
An Energy Audit to gently notice what's been lost—and make space for joy, rest, and restoration.
When we chose Vitality as DRIVEN’s Word of the Year, I knew it would be a deep and winding exploration.
January’s blog article asked us to connect with life's quiet miracles. February and March called for the Courage to be Kind, both inwardly and outwardly. Along the way, I found myself visiting an unexpected place: rock bottom — energetically speaking.
Even with all my habits and practices in place, I couldn't feel joy. I went through the motions, trusting the discipline of my routines, but they weren’t fulfilling. Thankfully, over the past few weeks, something new is stirring: hope, creativity, and a genuine urge to connect.
It feels like my nervous system is finally calming down after years of high alert.
Ironically, it was only recently I realized when my nervous system began to collapse. Fourteen years ago, while building my business, I lived across from a vacant lot that became a Metro-North staging area. Many sleepless nights were punctuated by piercing back-up alarms from heavy equipment— a constant, unpredictable noise I couldn't control. Despite efforts to intervene, nothing changed.
The result? Chronic stress lodged itself in my body, fueled by helplessness, anger, and exhaustion.
At the time, I didn’t have the awareness or the tools to protect my emotional energy. But today, I do. And part of that protection begins with noticing.
The Case for an Energy Audit
When your Vitality feels fragile, it's often not because of one major event.
Instead, it's the undercurrent of stress that quietly erodes your reserves—like a horror movie soundtrack playing faintly in the background. You don't even realize how much energy you're spending just trying to "be okay."
That’s why this month, I'm offering a simple but powerful invitation:
Pause. Notice. Reassess.
An Energy Audit can help you identify where you're drained, where you're still strong, and where small shifts could refill your tanks— because the first step in rebuilding vitality isn’t forcing more effort. It’s about attending to what's hidden, honoring what’s hurting, and gently creating room for restoration.
Quick Energy Audit: 5 Tanks to Reflect On
Here’s a starting point. Take a few mindful minutes with yourself. Use the following prompts to notice your current energy landscape— no judgment, just awareness. Gentle observation creates space for renewal.
Physical Energy:
How does your body feel most days? Rested, tense, sluggish, strong?
Are you attending to the four pillars: movement, nutrition, hydration, sleep?
Where is your body asking for more care or attention?
Emotional Energy:
Which wolf have you been feeding more lately—the one fueled by fear and frustration, or the one nourished by hope, connection, and joy?
Are recurring emotions signaling an undercurrent of fear, irritation, or helplessness that deserves attention?
What emotion would you like to invite more of into your daily life?
Mental Energy:
How well are you able to focus your attention on what matters?
Are multitasking, distractions, or emotional overwhelm clouding your mental clarity?
What one practice could help you protect and renew your attention?
Spiritual Energy:
When was the last time you felt a simple moment of connection, tenderness, or awe—whether with a loved one, a pet, nature, or a memory?
What practices, places, or people help you feel part of something larger than yourself?
Where could you make space for even one tiny moment of wonderment each day?
Social Energy:
Are your relationships feeling mutually supportive, draining, or a mix of both?
Where are you craving deeper connection, or gentler boundaries?
Who could you reach out to this week for a meaningful moment of connection?
What Might Be Quietly Draining You?
Beyond the obvious demands of life, energy leaks often come from:
Chronic background stress (even low-grade, persistent sources)
Unprocessed grief, anger, or fear
Unclear boundaries
Lack of meaningful rest and recovery
Looking Ahead
If this Energy Audit reveals places where you’re running on fumes, know this: Awareness is a victory. You don't have to overhaul everything overnight. Small, kind shifts create momentum.
Here are a few baby steps to begin with:
Prioritize Sleep: Treat your sleep like the sacred, powerful medicine it is. Even small upgrades (earlier wind-down time, fewer devices in the bedroom, calming nighttime rituals) can have an enormous ripple effect on your vitality.
Pause Before You Say Yes: If your energy is already low, it’s okay — wise, even — to protect it fiercely. Before committing to something new, ask yourself: “Will this nourish or drain me?”
Schedule Joy, Not Just Tasks: Delight isn’t frivolous. It's fuel. Make tiny pockets of joy (a walk, a playlist, a phone call with someone who “gets” you) a non-negotiable part of your week.
Connect with a Safe Person: Sometimes, what refills us isn't solitude but shared humanity. Reaching out to someone you trust, even briefly, can soothe your emotional and social energy tanks.
Vitality doesn’t roar back overnight. It returns quietly and tenderly when we create the conditions for it to grow.
In June, I’ll dive into The Power of Rest and Recovery— the often-overlooked secret to sustaining Vitality, long-term. For now, may your audit be a gift of compassion to yourself. You are worthy of the energy it takes to thrive.
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