Post by Jinsei on Jun 21, 2007 13:10:17 GMT -5
Energy Vampires Drain Your Life
11 Ways to Protect Your Energy & Mood (Deflect Energy Vampires)!
© Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen
Feb 20, 2007
energy vampire, stock xchange four season
Do you feel depleted and tired after a conversation with your coworker or your mother? They could be energy vampires who drain your positive energy and time.
Energy vampires deplete your positive energy like real vampires slurp blood, leaving you drained and listless. After a visit with them, you barely have enough energy to watch tv, much pursue your goals or learn how to put The Secret into action!
Energy vampires:
* Intrude on your life, ignoring boundaries and privacy
* Can be known as "drama queens" because they so easily turn a broken nail into a Shakespearean tragedy
* Complain constantly about their partners, jobs, children, bad luck, and illnesses
* Criticize your hair, appearance, job, children, partner, friends, and pets
* Don't take "no" for an answer – or they play the martyr
* Are unrelentingly negative
* Blame everyone else for their problems
You know you've spent time with an energy vampire when you leave them feeling angry, depressed, exhausted, or sad. They drain your energy, and use it in their own lives. You're left feeling empty and sluggish – and you may eat, drink, shop, or sleep for hours afterwards.
Energy vampires come in all shapes and sizes: loud and aggressive, soft-spoken and shy, charming and seductive, pushy and overbearing. They have an energy leak, and they need to fill it. It's up to you to stop them from gorging on your positive energy. Often they don't even realize they're bleeding you dry. They suffered some sort of crisis, whether in childhood or adulthood, and they're compensating. They may not be deliberately, maliciously stealing your energy -- but they're definitely not contributing to a fantastic relationship.
They need life.
And so do you.
11 ways to deflect an energy vampire:
1. Limit the amount of time you spend together.
2. Learn effective ways of cutting off conversation (eg, I only have ten minutes to talk.")
3. Stay calm and detached
4. Be honest about your desires (eg, "I need this time to work/read/relax/exercise.")
5. Refrain from attempting to rescue them or fix their problems
6. Practice walking away; the more you do it, the easier it gets
7. Limit eye contact
8. Avoid being in close spaces, where you can't easily leave (elevators, cars, etc)
9. Define and guard your personal space
10. Share when you feel uncomfortable discussing particular people or circumstances (eg, when they talk about how amazing their partner is in bed)
11. Stand up for yourself and your boundaries! Your time, energy, and resources are precious and should be closely guarded
You may feel the need to say good-bye for good and cut the energy vampire out of your life. That may be easier said than done (letting go is usually difficult) - but if you remain firm and true to yourself, you'll be glad in the long run.