8 Ways to Energize Yourself

Energy is our most precious resource. When we are full of energy, we do our best mothering. It’s when we’re out of gas that we say or do the things we regret later.

One of the most practical day-to-day applications of personality type is helping you recharge and stay energized. While we all need food, sleep, and exercise, different people are energized by different experiences. In fact, what is reviving to one person can be like kryptonite to another.

For example, after writing, editing, and launching MotherStyles, and moving from Chicago to Texas at the same time, I was depleted from managing hundreds of details (Sensing) and interacting with lots of new people (Extraversion).

The way I rekindled my energy (I'm an INFJ) was by reading books and taking classes - dream tending workshops,  a writing retreat, and Spanish classes. Learning something new was like play to me and fed my Intuition. Soon I was feeling alive and happy again. Many Intuitive moms say taking a class or attending a talk is one way they find the energy for the nitty-gritty of child rearing.

Below are a few ways to recharge that you may not have thought of before. I’ve organized them by the eight preferences of the Myers-Briggs® personality framework. Browse the list to see what might hit the spot for you right now. The suggestions for your personality type may seem most appealing.  However, feel free to try a few ideas from your opposite type if they seem tempting.

You can also download or print off a personal energy plan customized for your personality type by clicking here.

• Extraverted types are energized by adult conversation, action & variety. Go out to lunch with friends; join an organization or a team. Call someone to chat, listen to talk radio, man the PTA booth at the Farmers Market, invite another family for pizza.

• Introverted types are energized by quiet and time alone. Give yourself at least 30-60 minutes of solitude each day. Journal, take a walk, look out the window, sip tea, stare into space, meditate, nap, read a book, write a letter, do nothing. 

• Sensing types need to feed their five senses with rich, new stimulation. Go to a museum, plant a garden; take a walk in the woods or ski a snow-covered mountain. Spend a day at the mall. Browse catalogues and magazines.   

• Intuitive types feed on new ideas, perspectives, and dreams.Take a class, read a novel, watch a fantasy movie, talk to an interesting person, learn something new. Give yourself time to plan, imagine, and entertain possibilities. 

• Thinking types thrive on objective validation of their competence – promotions, raises, good grades and awards. Run for PTA president, spearhead a fund-raising event, manage the church budget, and consider employment or volunteer leadership positions.

• Feeling types need a break from others’ needs. Get a babysitter, shut the door or plan a weekend get-away. Tune into your own needs and feelings without the distraction of caring for or pleasing others. Discover ways to please yourself.

• Judging types need a place or project to organize, control, and complete. Make a list, organize your desk, set a room in order, finish a to-do, work a needlepoint project. Consider volunteer and paid positions that provide & require structure and control.

• Perceiving types need freedom from a tight schedule. Give yourself long blocks of unscheduled hangout time. Break your routine once in awhile; go on an adventure, play hooky, dance on the table.

Please tell me what you do to energize by posting a comment below. Remember to include your type if you know it. 

Here’s to you feeling happier and more alive in mothering!  Janet Penley

Comments

[Kelly Jo]

Hi, I've done more type research and am back to INFJ preference. It feels the most "right." :)

Looking at each letter preference, first, I: yes, I am energized by being alone most of the time, but another part of me does get jazzed up when speaking to groups or teaching a workshop. But for the most part, alone time. :)

N: This is a tricky one because this is also my dominant process which I do so naturally I don't "need" to find something N to do to get energized. It just "happens." So, since I am doing it so much, I go the other side and NEED to do something S to balance it. I HAVE TO exercise every day to have the energy to focus on and allowing my natural N to shine. And to make sure I ground myself or I can float into the ethers very easily. :)

F: Now that I've truly accepted the F preference and realized how accomodating I am most of the time, I do need that time away from feeding others' needs to feed my own.

J: This process takes place internally for me and so the J things that energize me are organizing my ideas and thoughts not necessarily organizing things in the physical world.

[Heather]

I'm an INFJ too and all of these things are like "Ah-ha's!" to me. I have gravitated to these things in the past when I am "sensed out" but haven't thought about doing them consciously, so good advice!

Janet - one thing I haven't really solved is that after I get back from work at the end of the day I definately need time to myself to recover from work and people at work, but dinner needs cooking, kids need my attention and by the time I have time to myself, I'm exhausted and cranky. Maybe the best time for me to take my 30 minutes is right after work when I get home? Have you got any thoughts on that?

[Marka Bruhl]

Dear Janet, Well, as an ISTJ, my favorite and best way to feel energized (which I try to do about once a year), is to travel to a beautiful part of the country (ie, Arizona), by myself, and spend each day without a plan, doing next to nothing, gazing at the nature, talking to NO ONE until I feel like it. I try to disconnect from the 'doing-ness' and 'shoulds' that rule my daily life at home.
When not on one of these heavenly trips, I sit in my favorite leather over-sized chair, or lie on my bed under my fluffy, down duvet (lots of sensing satisfaction here!), and gaze out of my big windows, watching the breeze or wind move the trees. Open windows allow me to hear the sounds of nature. If I am able to be without distraction, the time becomes like a meditation. My senses, energy, and body are then more available for the next part of my day, which is usually busy and energy depleting.
Love you! Marka

[Janet Penley]

This is a response to Heather's INFJ question above. I think taking 30 minutes to yourself right after work before you start doing the evening "mommy thing" is a great idea. Here's why: As an Introvert being out all day in the world of people and external stimulation, you are perhaps at your lowest energy moment of the day when you walk through the door after work. You need a quick energy booster shot, and some quiet time is just the ticket. Secondly, as a J you need a transition ritual or some "white space" to help you switch gears from your work self to your home self. Some women ask the babysitter to stay an extra half hour while they sneak in the back door and up to their room. Or you could ask your babysitter to take the kids for a walk just before you are scheduled to come home so you can have the house to yourself for a few minutes before the kids start clamoring for attention. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be the one who greets them at the door -- feeling centered and present, in changed clothes, with a smile on your face? Another idea is to spend 30 minutes alone in your car before you drive up your driveway or pick the kids up from daycare. Try taking 30 minutes to yourself right after work and let us know what you think.

[Janet Penley]

This is my reply to Kelly Jo's comments above. As a fellow INFJ I can relate to your getting jazzed up by leading workshops and presentations. So do I. I think it is because they feed my N (new ideas) and F (connecting with people and meeting their needs). However, if I do too much I easily get over-stimulated and have a hard time bringing myself back to center.

Which leads me to your second comment about having to do some Sensing stuff to ground your N, so you don't "fly away." Once again, I can relate. I think it is more difficult for N types than S types to stay grounded in their bodies. N types are vulnerable to disconnecting and letting their thoughts get a million miles ahead of them. I have to exercise or take a walk to come back into myself. As an INFJ, I feel like my mind is a race car and my body is a standard Taurus.

Thanks, Kelly Jo, for exploring these extra nuances.

[Karen Bierdeman]

As an INFP, I find that I definitely need my time alone, without anyone except my cats or dogs. As a mother of two girls, 5 and 8, how often do you think that happens?! I have learned the hard way that I really HAVE to make time to be alone, even if it means waking up 20 minutes earlier. It pays major dividends. I also get a lot of energy by being in my art studio/home office. It's kind of strange how much I am rejuvenated by color! That's why I painted my studio/office a bright green, and have summery/sherbet colors througout. I also love to "play" with my art supplies--just seeing the colored paper, paints, etc., brings me joy. As a complete book lover (addict?), especially of non-fiction, I love being immersed in new ideas. It just feeds me to continually learn new ideas and relate them to old ones. What I find interesting is that so many of the moms I coach feel guilty about how they re-energize themselves...as though there were only one correct way to do it. Thank goodness for the book "Motherstyles"--I have almost all of my clients read it!

[Lexie]

This one post has been so helpful to me over the past few days. I hope you keep this helpful info coming via the blog. Because of the blog, your book is on my "to buy" list. Thanks.

[Tanya Dodge]

I have read through your book twice now as I struggle to find my identity as a mother of a 2 year old. I am an INFP but am borderline I/E. Which it seems is where I am having the toughest time since I have a deep desire to connect with other moms but don't do well with large groups and need my downtime. When I worked full-time I got so much interaction and social satisfaction that finding downtime was the challenge. Now it's the other way around and finding the balance is tough. I loved reading this post because although I take time out everyday while my daughter naps to read and nap as well, and I try to get a massage once every month or so, I think that starting back to the gym, journaling, and taking a class/seminar will make a huge difference. Now if I could only find some refrigerator friends with kids the same age to fill the social piece of the day.

[Lynnie]

Tanya , how about socializing on the internet? You would not be as vulnerable as being in a large group physically, you are actually safe at home, but can socialize and chat with as many people as you want, with shared interests or can learn something new. I am INFP but it is nice to connect with others once in a while.

[arni]

great work dude thx xxxstash 3419 anal virgins 2015 womensex 525 89porn =-DD amature porn vafzfn xxxvogue 2395 young nude teens givy youngerbabes =O young dirty porn >:-DDD webcamnow 70742

[fifa55]

Gloomy tales xlxx 454 pornoamateur 42565 horse fucking bnvic blackpussy 8-(( sexygirls 1147 pornoxxx :((( pornxxx izn free horse sex trailers 8-P boys fucking girls 218 gigagalleries 314911