When Energy Saving Mode Becomes a Trap: Is Your Self-Care Hurting You?

You’re protecting your energy, right? But what if that energy-saving mode is keeping you from really living?

It started with boundaries: canceling plans, putting your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb,’ and saying no to draining events. It felt good at first, right? But now… when was the last time you let someone in?

We all want to protect our energy and only distribute it when necessary but, what happens when we selfishly hold on to it?

Is Self Care Hurting Your Mental Health?

Take a deep breath and exhale the bullsh*t! OK, now that we got that out of the way let’s get honest with ourselves. Your self care routine is supposed to be a therapeutic experience in which you become more relaxed. It’s when you spend time loving and focusing on yourself.

Routines always start out fun and exciting because its to enhance your current mindset and push you into the version you see yourself as. There’s not any rules to self care and that’s where the thin line of being social or isolating becomes a debilitating factor.

Signs Self-Care Might Be Working Against You:

You feel more drained, not recharged.

• If self-care is truly working, you should feel a spark of energy to re-engage with life. If you just feel tired or empty, something’s off.

You avoid people rather than setting healthy boundaries.

• Boundaries are meant to preserve relationships, not eliminate them.

Your routines feel more like escape than empowerment.

• Do you really need a three-hour ‘me-time’ ritual every night, or is it your way of avoiding responsibilities or emotions?

Be honest—how much of your self-care routine is actually self-preservation because you don’t want to deal with the world? It’s okay if it is, but recognizing it is step one.

You’re not that tired! Get up and mingle!

Have you questioned why you’re on do not disturb so often?

What’s the disconnect between you and the world?

How to Recharge Without Disconnecting From Life

Set ‘Balanced Boundaries’:

• Instead of saying no to everything, try prioritizing meaningful connections. For example, say yes to a small coffee date instead of a big group outing.

Reevaluate Your Routine:

• Ask yourself: What’s one self-care ritual I’m holding onto that no longer serves me? Is it binge-watching shows every night? Staying off social media completely? What could you replace it with?

Reconnect With One Person:

• Start small. Call or text someone you miss and tell them you’re thinking about them. Reconnecting doesn’t mean sacrificing your peace—it can actually bring more of it.

Plan an ‘Energy-Positive’ Day:

• Spend one day doing something that both recharges you and involves connection—like a solo hike with a friend joining for the last hour.

Self-care is supposed to make you feel alive, not isolated. It’s okay if you’ve taken a little too much time for yourself—it happens to all of us. The good news? You get to choose connection whenever you’re ready. Start small, show up for yourself, and let the world back in.

What’s one small way you can step out of energy-saving mode today? Let me know in the comments or message me—I’d love to hear from you!

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