If there is one question that is at the forefront of all our minds, I believe it is this: What can I do to feel vibrant, energetic and really awake and ready to embrace life?
It’s a question that has no one fixed answer. It doesn’t look the same for any of us. And yet, it is central to our well being.
For an extrovert, being vibrant and feeling energized may have everything to do with being out and about around town, attending events and parties; interacting with a variety of people; and collecting friends everywhere they go.
For an introvert, being vibrant and filled with energy may be all about having the quiet space and time to devote to whatever interests them in that moment – gardening, cooking, art, reading, knitting.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that extroverts don’t do any of these things or that introverts never go out and party. But for an introvert, partying can be physically and mentally draining, and for an extrovert, too much of quiet time alone can be depressing.
And so we return to the question:
What can I do to feel vibrant, energetic and really awake and ready to embrace life? Click To TweetFor a very long time, I thought the answer to this question was to drop a few extra kilos and to go for a walk more regularly. And yet, the very thought of actually doing these things only served to dampen my enthusiasm. So I regularly beat myself up for being singularly unconcerned about my health and well being; for being unable to do this “small” thing for my own good; for turning my back on everything that would make me feel vibrant and energetic and ready to embrace life.
It took me a long time, but I finally figured out that exercise and weight loss aren’t what I meant by vibrant and energetic at all! {And the relief that followed this realization was priceless!}
For me, feeling vibrant and energized and eager to embrace life really means doing the things that I am passionate about: art, forging a deeper connection with myself, writing.
The moment this became clear, almost all of my guilt over not walking more regularly and not going on a strict diet simply vanished. I’ve started to change the questions I am asking myself about my health, and I’ve received some startling answers {more when I finish working through this process}. And since I finally know what makes me feel truly alive, I can do more of the things that light me up.
And so we return to the question: What can you do to feel vibrant, energetic and really awake and ready to embrace life?
you have identified the extrovert and introvert qualities ekdum perfectly…nice read
Thanks Mahek! 🙂
That’s got me thinking. What I would really do is take a nice break from my routine. I hope to do so this weekend when I am off on a small holiday……Then perhaps I’ll get the answer to this question.
A holiday is an excellent time to reflect! Where are you off to?
Off to Dubai.
Excellent. Have fun!!
Writing and reading it is for me. I loved your description of introverts and extroverts. Being an introvert myself, I could relate well to this one.
Introverts unite! 😉
Writing and reading sound like perfect ways to feel vibrant and alive!
I hover somewhere on the middle line so what do I do? 🙂
PhenoMenon
http://phenomenalworld.in/food-drama-broadway-the-gourmet-theatre/
A combination, perhaps? Only you will have an answer to that!!
Agree with you..when you are following your passion or doing what you love, you feel energetic. Atleast, its the case with me. Exercise and being healthy are also which play an important role as if we are not healthy..how can we be happy?
Absolutely Deepa, exercise and being healthy are important, but they aren’t necessarily what make you feel vibrant. It took me a while to figure that out! 🙂
Thank you for this. I always feel that pressure to get up and exercise first thing because that meant you were energized. For me, it’s either cleaning (lame, I know, but it makes me feel better) or going on a walk in the fresh air, not for the exercise but to get out as a change of scenery.
It is such a pressure, isn’t it? Exercise isn’t necessarily a magic pill that will make you feel energized! I think a walk in fresh air is so much better!
What truly energizes me is a long beautiful road trip. The feel of adventure and also the feel of accomplishment … Which can be art or reading or doing a challenging Yoga pose 😀
Beautiful road trips – I have such fond memories of those from when I was a child. Sadly there aren’t too many beautiful stretches of road left – it’s all commercialization and buildings!
A couple of things actually would do wonders for me…. One a long quiet walk..all by myself. It not only energizes but also unclutters thoughts . Secondly, write… randomly… Penning down everything in the mind. And third have a warm cup of coffee..
Beautiful, all of these. These are my go-tos for when I’m craving peace. Isn’t it lovely how the same things can make people feel different ways? 🙂
I’m an introvert, so the thing that drains the life out of me is socializing in a big group of people. It was a revelation to me when I realized I could allow myself to avoid these situations! Parties generally horrify me. The recent interest in introverts/extroverts has hopefully made lots of people more accepting of themselves. A great weekend away with just one other person perks me up. Other than that, taking ages to photograph something beautiful, waiting for the light to be just right, makes me feel good.
Parties can zap the energy right out of me too! As can over crowded malls or shopping spaces. Weekends with one or two close friends is my idea of fun too! 🙂
I think when we engage wholly and fully in something, work on positive emotions, have meaning and purpose, have a sense of accomplishment and good relationships, we will flourish in life. For me, what gives me energy is exercising, going to the beach, being in nature, connecting with my writing, helping others and connecting with people in general.
That’s very true, Sanchie. Being fully engaged in the things that bring you joy is key to a fulfilled life, I believe!
It is important to find yourself and ask what truly makes you happy? On a nice sunny day I go for a walk, followed by a cup of coffee all by myself. This routine helps me awake my senses, my mind. Once back home I engage with my passions, dance and writing, with even more zest!
Yes, it is important to know what makes you happy. Sometimes that gets drowned out by what you think you need to do to be happy. A walk in nature is really invigorating!
Putting on fun, upbeat music helps a lot. I also love reading, being an introvert. Those things usually help me feel better.
I love listening to music and dancing along as I paint! And the joy of losing yourself in a book is unparalleled, I think! 🙂
Got me thinking… Need to keep this one in mind.
Yup, think. The answers may be very different from what you think it should be. 🙂
Maybe, for me, it’s accomplishing one thing every day. I put it on the list, and if I can check it off before bed, I’ve succeeded?
Sounds about perfect to me! 🙂
Your post is making me think – and I’m afraid, I need some more time to reply to it 🙂
I think I might be some weird mix of an introvert and extrovert. I hate speaking in public, and seem to get more conversations started via chats and messages. But I’ve recently discovered that ‘interacting with people’ in real life isn’t such a bad thing either.
I digress. Interesting post, Gypsy Goddess!
There’s a term for that, apparently – ambivert. I came across it very recently. 🙂
Once you’ve figured out the answer, do tell me. I’d love to know what makes you feel vibrant and alive! 🙂
I am a mix of introvert and extrovert both hence what makes me happy varies from time to time. So there are days when I feel happy about sports and there are days when I feel happy about completing a book .
And that’s excellent! 🙂