As practitioners of metaphysics, we have an impact on the world around us. We have focused our minds to be able to quickly manifest our will. We have harnessed and strengthened our spiritual energy. In doing so, we gradually become a force of nature. Like the rain or the wind, we affect our proximity. It isn\’t something that we turn on and off when we want to use it.
Because so much of our ability comes from our mental state, it means our emotions have a great impact on the energy we put out into the world. When we feel anger, we manifest anger. When we feel depressed, the air around us is like a dark cloud sucking the joy from everyone else. If we are scared, no amount of protection spells will work.
There is a reason that in primitive times, the magicians within communities often because the leaders, or at least the wisest of counsel. When you begin to grow your spiritual influence on the world, you won\’t succeed for long if you don\’t also learn personal discipline. A metaphysicist not only has to master their practice, they also have to master themselves. We often go through more intense psychological stress than those who don\’t practice. In the process of becoming in tune with energy, if you weren\’t already an empath, you will likely become one. You will be under near constant assault of widely swinging emotions. You will become someone that people are drawn to as a source of help, exposing you to many of the sad and sometimes tragic details of other people\’s struggles. It will likely push you into a semi-permanent state of heightened anxiety. You cannot practice successfully for long without learning how to cope with these things and developing stress relief techniques that work on an emotional level for you.
There are many commonly spouted methods for stress relief and self care: a spa day, a long bubble bath, a glass of wine and a good book. Take that, wrap it in aluminum foil, put it in a ziplock bag, and throw it away… Those are token responses. They may work great for some people but everybody has their own unique ways of dealing with stress. Because of this, I can\’t tell you what will work for you but I can give you some guidance on how to find it.
We all know exactly what we need to destress and care for ourselves. Even if we don\’t know it, we know it. The truth is, there is something, for each of us, in our life that makes us miserable. Something that is hard, our body fights us on it, and it seems like we are defying nature by doing it. Everyone. It may be something we have to do, or feel obligated to do, but we would not do it if we really really could do whatever we want. That thing, whatever that is, it\’s your number one stresser. It is the thing that puts the most pressure on you spiritually. The ideal self care is whatever gives you a real palpable reprieve from that.
Now doing that thing isn\’t your only problem. There are other events in your life that make you depressed or hopeless or infuriated. But you, the real you, the best you is more than capable of handling those things and coping with the effect they have on your mental health. But you aren\’t your best self, your real self when that thing that weighs the heaviest is constantly crushing you.
Maybe your job is too taxing and leaves you with little left. Using some PTO time isn\’t the only way to take a break. Make a plan for yourself. Say \”the next three days, I will do my job but not be consumed by it\”. For three days, don\’t be emotionally invested in your job. See how you feel after work those three days. Sometimes we get so emotionally caught up in our job that we become a mental servant. Taking a step back from time to time can do wonders for that stress.
Maybe you frequently have to entertain phone calls that you absolutely cannot bear. Either from people who drain you or about topics you disdain discussing. Give yourself some phone free time. When you have a couple days off, take a phone free weekend. Let people know you won\’t be reachable over the couple days, turn off your phone, and breathe. You\’re free for the time being.
Maybe you\’re the parent of alot of kids or maybe just one. But maybe your parental responsibilities have been especially taxing lately. Maybe you\’ve been giving so much and the tank has been empty for awhile. You are not going to be the parent your kids need you to be if you aren\’t the real you. You need breaks. Find a trustworthy sitter to watch the kids. If you are a member of a social group such as a church or school extra curricular, see if there are any overnight \”lock in\” style events coming up. Maybe your kid has been asking to stay the night at their friend\’s house. Do your due diligence to fact check and make sure your kid(s) will be safe where they\’re going, but remember it\’s okay to let little birds fly a bit with adequate supervision. They can\’t just sit underwing in the nest forever.
The point of all this is that it is important that you take care of yourself while your taking care of everything else. A stressed out witch can be much more destructive than a stressed out muggle. Find out what weighs the heaviest on you, and find a way to escape it for awhile. And remember that when you do, you need to enjoy the time you spend away from it. That is your time. Do what makes you happy. Maybe that\’s a spa day or a bubble bath…