Are You Allowing Toxic Energy into Your Life? + 3 Step Detox
Have you ever been around somebody that just gave off a bad vibe? Perhaps it wasn’t even a face-to-face interaction – but a particular TV program, song or social media personality that just left a bad taste in your mouth. Whatever the source, it’s got to be said that in this age of technology and social media there’s always something vying for our attention. As a result, we are constantly being exposed to different opinions and ideas – each carrying a distinct energy ‘frequency’ or vibe. So the question is: what kind of opinions, ideas and content are you inviting into your consciousness?
Telltale signs that you’re inviting toxic energy into your space may be that you’re in a constant ‘reactive’ state or emotional rut. Maybe you can’t quite pinpoint it, but toxic energy can leave us feeling anxious, angry, defensive or uneasy. As our emotions manifest physically, you may also notice tension in your shoulders or neck, shallow breathing or a heavy sensation like anxiety in your chest.
In any case, if you’re experiencing unpleasant emotions it’s possible that you are focusing your attention towards things or people that are down-right toxic. You’ve probably heard the saying that you are the average of your 5 best friends. Now go ahead and apply that same logic to all the other influences in your life. When I started becoming more aware of where I was directing my attention and energy it became quite clear as to why I was feeling so blah.
If you feel that you may be allowing toxic energy into your space, it may be time to re-evaluate where you are spending your precious time and energy. The goal here is to re-align our intention, attention and energy so that we are serving our highest good. When we start surrounding ourselves with uplifting, inspiring energy we naturally feel lighter, more peaceful and at ease.
Here’s 3 simple steps to start feeling lighter:
Step #1 – Become Aware of Where Your Attention is Going
First up, take stock of where your attention (and ultimately your energy!) is going. This might mean taking a closer look at your relationships, the kind of TV shows you view, YouTube videos, your instagram feed – even your spotify playlist!
Ask yourself:
- Where/ with whom am I spending my most time?
- How long do I spend on social media?
- What’s my most frequently opened app?
- What do I do when I first wake up?
- What kind of programs do I typically watch on TV?
- Who do I follow on instagram/ twitter/ snapchat?
Related: 3 Tips to Start Your Morning Right
Think about the type or quality of energy these sources carry. In gauging this, it might be helpful to ask yourself:
- Does this serve my highest good?
- Does this make me feel uplifted and inspired?
- Does this make me feel down/ anxious / angry or uneasy?
- Does this evoke a negative or defensive reaction in me?
Though a simple process, you’ll likely be surprised to find that you are unconsciously allowing toxic energy into your space in one form or another.
Maybe it’s that negative friend or that gossip-y TV show that you just can’t look away from. Maybe it’s the critical and judgemental opinions in your Facebook feed, or that depressing song that you indulge in too frequently. The point here is to start creating awareness as to where you’re directing your attention and connecting it with how it makes you feel. As they say, you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge!
Step #2 – Culling Toxic Energy & Creating Healthy Boundaries
If you find that your attention is being directed towards things that don’t align with your higher self or that don’t uplift or inspire you it might be time to re-evaluate. This may mean cutting negative sources out of your life or, where that’s not possible, creating healthy boundaries.
This could mean:
- Deactivating certain social media accounts or ‘unfollowing’ negative online influences (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Limiting your interaction with ‘toxic’ friends
- Avoiding certain TV shows, music genres etc.
- Doing a digital detox
This step may be difficult! Don’t be surprised if you experience some resistance. As humans, we often find ourselves drawn to drama. Whether that’s out of curiosity or a need to fuel our own egos – it can take continuous awareness to pull away from negative influences.
Step #3 – Infuse Your Life With Good Vibes
The best part! Now it’s time to redirect your attention towards those things that align with your higher good. Be selective about the kind of energy you’re inviting into your life – and remember that this is an ongoing practice. This could be as simple as listening to new music that uplifts and inspires you, seeking out new books, podcasts or YouTubers.
It’s simple – but transformative. By creating more awareness and living with more intention it’s surprising how much lighter and at ease we can feel!
Have you ever encountered toxic energy or ‘bad vibes’? How did you deal with it?
