“Why are you just sitting there with nothing on?” My husband asked with his eyebrows raised and a touch of outrage in his voice.

“Because I like it,” I said back. He glanced around the room, still in disbelief that I would sit on the couch without the TV or Alexa or a podcast or a TikTok on for me to look at or listen to. You thought I meant something else, didn’t you? You see my husband is one of those people who walks in a room, turns on the television and then leaves it on when he walks out. This day, everyone was gone-even the dogs-and I was worshiping the silence like a religion.

In the half empty nest I’m living in right now, there is a glaring change from the boisterous house with two kids and their friends to one high school senior who is basically never home. When she was little, I always said it felt like she was running a race and I was the pit crew. She’d dash in the house and I’d stuff food in her and change her clothes and wipe her face as she itched to run back out and play with twin boys next door who were always running back and forth with her between our houses. Now that she’s ending high school, her frantic pace hasn’t changed, it’s just that the operations of the pit crew aren’t as intense as they used to be.

I’m realizing it’s my time to go through another transition. Usually in these big moments in life, I blast along at my own frantic pace with no sense that something is changing. Not this time. I know what’s coming. I’ve got an older sister who always seems to go through everything before me and who kindly shares her wisdom when I show up blubbering after I’ve made a mess of things.

I’m going to try to dial in, to revel in these last months and to define what our life will look like and how we want to shape it. While there will be melancholy and sorrow and worry, I’m certain there will also be opportunities for growth and joy. One good thing I’m thinking is that once she’s gone, I really can sit on my couch with nothing on if I want to. And this time I mean nothing on! My husband’s reaction will be a little different to that move I think. I’ll just make sure I keep the curtains drawn!

Everything in life is made up of energy; including YOU! The energy you embody sets the stage for your daily experiences.

When we inhibit low frequency energy (AKA negativity, frustration, anger, judgment, etc.), it not only impacts us emotionally and physically, it also impacts those around us. This is evidenced by how contagious negativity is. Have you ever noticed that when one person starts to complain, everyone else joins in and it becomes a competition to see who has the most horrific story to share?

We are all familiar with the dreaded downward spiral of our energy and emotions, but the good news is, with intention and practice, we can create an upward spiral with our energy!

Here are a few simple suggestions on how to stave off the downward spiral and create the energy necessary for an upward spiral in your everyday life:

• Instead of waking up with thoughts of lack (i.e. “I didn’t get enough sleep” or “this is going to be a difficult day”), upon waking, set an intention to focus on what’s going right in your life.
• Rather than contributing to the downward spiral of complaining, take gratitude breaks throughout the day to pause and be thankful for all that you have in life.
• Take a break from the constant streaming of negativity (turn off the news, log out of social media, separate yourself from people and environments that are draining your energy), and fill yourself up with sources of hope and inspiration (listen to upbeat music, watch an inspiring TED talk, take a walk in nature, spend time doing something that brings you joy.)
• Stop withholding your love, and speak from your heart. Tell the people in your life how much you love and appreciate them.

If you find these suggestions difficult to follow, you may benefit from a negativity cleanse ~ simply catch yourself when you are feeling the urge to complain about something or judge a person or a situation, and shift your thoughts to find something positive about it/them. Commit to letting go of any thoughts that don't serve your intention of raising your energy.

It’s truly empowering to take control of your energy! Not only will you reap the benefits, but you’ll notice a ripple effect ALL around you when your energy becomes contagious and others follow your lead! Improve your energy, and watch as your life changes in beautiful ways!