"When you hear the word “energy,” you likely think of energy you spend—working out, a friend who needs a little extra support, or meeting a work deadline. But energy is a balancing act; we need an equal balance of routines, conversations, and activities that “refill” our energy, whether it’s a therapy session, taking a nap, or a fun night out with friends. Think of it like an energy bank account: you need to refill your energy to have more to spend. And no matter what your dream life looks like–whether it has to do with your career, finances, relationships, physical health, or all the above–your energy bank account is a key piece of achieving any goal.
Manifesting your dream life is not just about the energy you intentionally spend to get what you want, but also the energy you may be unintentionally spending that’s draining your energy bank account. Energy leaks are situations, thoughts, people, or actions that are depleting without you even realizing it. The good news is they can easily be fixed so you can energetically align with and create space for your manifestations to come in. Keep reading to learn what energy leaks are, how they get in the way of your manifestations, and how to remove them from your life.
What are Energy Leaks?
Whether you realize it or not, every action you take involves an energetic exchange. When you do something that takes more energy than it gives (hello stress, anxiety, or exhaustion), it’s considered an energy leak. “Energy leaks refer to the subtle ways in which our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can drain our vital energy and hinder our ability to manifest our desires,” explained Meredith Van Ness, a psychotherapist (LCSW) and confidence and anxiety coach. “These leaks often stem from negative self-talk, unresolved emotional baggage, or engaging in activities that do not align with our true goals.”
Jennifer Longmore, a mindset coach, business success strategist, and CEO of Soul Journeys®, pointed out that energy leaks can be subtle, and typically become more noticeable when we’re actively trying to manifest something new into our reality. “This can look like not having boundaries with friends or colleagues, making excuses that we don’t have time to meet our goals, spending hours on Netflix, or constantly fawning over wealth but spending more than what we make,” she said. For another common example, have you ever noticed that you’re sapped of any zest after scrolling on social media? Email, Instagram, and TikTok can be major energy leakers. Energy leaks can be intangible (holding a grudge, a lack of boundaries, negative thoughts, or beliefs) or tangible (a messy car, a photo of an ex you see on social media, or a frustrating project at work).
How Do Energy Leaks Affect Manifestation?
The first step in attracting what you want is to make sure you’re operating on a frequency of vibration that matches the thing you desire. In simpler terms, the energy you put out is what you’re manifesting more of. So if your life is made up of energy leaks, all of your energy is being wasted on things that don’t serve you and you’re blocking the love, promotion, or first house you’re trying to manifest. Even worse, you may be manifesting what you don’t want. “Energy leaks can significantly impede the manifestation of your dream life by diverting your focus and siphoning off the necessary mental and emotional resources,” Van Ness conveyed. “When you’re constantly caught up in negative thought patterns, self-doubt, or past traumas, your energy becomes scattered and unable to fully support the manifestation process. These leaks can create a misalignment between your intentions and actions, slowing down or even derailing the progress towards your goals.”
How to Remove Energy Leaks:
Manifestation comes down to being more mindful and intentional of our activities throughout the day and how we’re creating our own lives. “Energy leaks require a level of honesty and radical responsibility to actually recognize where we have them, and then allow ourselves to choose differently,” Longmore described. “Sometimes energy leaks can be on autopilot where we ‘know’ they’re there, but never really gave much thought to changing them.” Follow these steps to begin removing energy leaks from your life.
Practice self-reflection and self-awareness
Begin by examining your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and understanding where you’re spending your energy. Van Ness recommended journaling to help you identify patterns that drain you. “Become attuned to moments when you feel depleted, anxious, or stuck,” she suggested. “This awareness is the first step towards understanding the sources of energy leaks.”
Release limiting beliefs
We all have false preconceived thoughts, notions, and stories we’ve been telling ourselves that hold us back from becoming our best selves. “Energy leaks often stem from self-limiting beliefs that undermine your confidence and potential,” Van Ness indicated. “Challenge these beliefs by questioning their validity and replacing them with empowering affirmations. Cognitive restructuring, a technique commonly used in therapy, can help you reframe negative thought patterns and foster a more positive mindset.”
Establish clear boundaries
There are friends, family members, or coworkers in our lives who take more than they give (AKA “energy vampires”). “If certain people or situations consistently leave you feeling drained, it’s essential to set boundaries,” affirmed Lachlan Brown, a behavioral psychologist and Founder of Hack Spirit. “It might mean saying ‘no’ more often, limiting time spent in specific situations, or seeking supportive environments.”
Declutter your mind and spaces
Physical clutter can be a reflection of mental clutter; a clean, well-organized space—be it your home, car, or office—translates to a clear head. Brown encouraged decluttering your mind through meditation or mindfulness while regularly cleaning out your living and working spaces.
Prioritize self-care
Wellness trend or not, self-care should be a non-negotiable part of your routine. Self-care literally means caring for the self to refill energy. We can’t be our best selves and manifest our dream lives if we’re not practicing regular self-care and tending to our own needs. “Engage in activities that rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul, whether it’s taking walks in nature, enjoying a relaxing bath, or reading a book,” Van Ness advocated. “Self-care replenishes your energy reserves and minimizes potential leaks.”
Work on emotional healing
Past traumas or unresolved emotions can be significant energy leaks. Van Ness cited therapy or techniques like EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) or mindfulness-based practices as effective ways to promote processing and releasing emotional baggage.
Engage in activities that promote mindfulness
Whether it’s meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga, partake in practices that support staying grounded, reducing stress, and preventing energy leaks caused by overwhelming thoughts or external pressures, Van Ness advised. Also consider taking on hobbies that bring you joy and fulfillment, reinforcing a positive energy flow.