Energy Balancing 101: How to Prioritize What Matters Most
Discover the essentials of intentional living to unlock empowerment in life with chronic illness.
Life with a chronic illness often feels like juggling while walking a tightrope. Energy becomes your most precious resource, but it often feels like there's never enough of it.
The desire to do “all the things” can conflict with the reality of your energy parameters, leaving you feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or defeated. But here's the thing: you can still lead a fulfilling life by getting intentional about your energy.
Prioritizing what truly matters allows you to achieve more with what energy you do have.
Small, steady steps can move you closer to your goals—even if the path takes longer. Just like the tortoise in the classic fable, consistency and focus will get you further than sprinting, burning out, and stopping altogether.
There's no need to sign up for a 101 course to master the fundamentals…..
Here’s how you can take a smarter, healthier approach to energy balancing and focus on what matters most.
STEP ONE: ACCEPT YOUR CURRENT ENERGY BUDGET
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to your “old self” or others who seem to accomplish more in a day than you can in a week. But chronic illness requires a shift in perspective. Think of your energy as a budget, and every activity you do requires an investment.
Start by identifying how much energy you realistically have on a given day. Some days, your budget might allow for larger tasks; on others, it might barely cover the basics. Instead of fighting this reality, work with it. Be honest and give yourself grace as you assess your limits.
Pro Tip: Use tools like a planner or an energy diary to track your energy levels over a week, month or more and spot patterns. Knowing when your highs and lows typically occur helps you plan more effectively.
For related reading, I invite you to read my posts on Accepting the practicalities of chronic illness and using your symptom Cycle as a powerful tool and Tips To Avoid Comparing Yourself To Others.
STEP TWO: RUTHLESSLY PRIORITIZE
When energy is finite, saying “no” becomes as important as saying “yes.” Prioritizing means getting clear about what matters most and focusing on those things first. Ask yourself these questions when considering how to spend your energy:
Does this task or commitment align with my long-term values and goals?
Will this bring me joy or fulfillment?
Is this truly urgent, or can it wait?
It’s not about fitting your life into an ideal schedule but reshaping your to-do list to reflect what’s truly important. Be prepared to make trade-offs. Maybe that means letting the laundry pile up so you can spend quality time with a loved one, or saving your energy for a creative project that lights you up.
Reminder: Giving yourself permission to set boundaries is essential. Saying “no” to others isn’t selfish; it’s self-care so you can show up fully for what matters to you.
For related reading, check out my posts on Ruthless Prioritization and Prioritizing Your Health.
STEP THREE: break down big goals into tiny steps
Big projects or dreams can feel daunting when your energy levels are unpredictable. But remember, even the smallest steps forward are progress. Take the tortoise-and-hare approach by breaking big goals into bite-sized tasks and tackling them one at a time.
If you’re working on something like organizing your home, start with one drawer or shelf. If building a new skill excites you, spend 10 minutes a day practicing when energy allows. Gradually, these small efforts will snowball into tangible progress.
Celebrate wins, no matter how small. Maybe you only tackled a fraction of what you'd hoped to, but every action you take is a step closer to your goal.
For related reading, check out THIS post on taking small steps and THIS one on the importance of celebrating wins when living with chronic illness.
step four: use energy smart tools and habits
You don’t have to carry the load alone. Lean on tools, resources, and habits that conserve your energy for what matters most.
Here are a few ideas:
Batch your tasks: Group similar tasks (e.g., answering emails, paying bills) and tackle them together during a high-energy window.
Simplify routines: Streamline activities, whether that means prepping meals in bulk or organizing your space to make daily tasks more efficient.
Ask for help: Delegating tasks to others when possible can give you much-needed breathing room.
Remember, you’re not a machine, and you don’t need to achieve everything solo to feel accomplished.
For related reading, I invite you to read THIS post all about simplifying and delegating.
Step five: respect rest as a necessity, not a luxury
It’s tempting to push yourself and squeeze more into your day, but rest is a critical part of energy balancing. Think of rest as "recharging your battery" so you can show up stronger for the tasks that truly matter.
Whether it’s taking an afternoon nap, meditating for 5 minutes, or engaging in light stretching, building rest into your routine keeps burnout at bay and helps you stay more consistent in achieving your goals.
Pro Tip: Rest doesn’t always mean sleep. Quiet, restorative activities like journaling, listening to soothing music, or simply sitting in nature can be incredibly rejuvenating.
For more reading on rest, I invite you to read my post Rest: The Best 4-Letter Word.
step six: reflect regularly
Energy management is an ongoing process, and it’s essential to revisit how your strategy is working. Set aside time weekly or monthly to reflect on how you’re spending your energy.
Some questions to guide your reflection:
Are there tasks I’m spending energy on that don’t align with my priorities?
Am I making progress toward what matters most to me?
Do I need to adjust my routines or goals based on my current energy levels?
Reflection allows you to fine-tune your approach and ensures your energy is always directed toward meaningful pursuits.
For related posts, check out my post on Practical Mindfulness and Embracing Your Inner Expert.
For tools and resources
To help you track your symptoms and habits, sign up to be the first to hear about Chronically Well offerings coming soon!
Life with chronic illness requires careful choices.
You can’t pour energy into everything, but by prioritizing what truly matters, you’ll feel more fulfilled and empowered. Small, deliberate steps build into something greater over time. Remember, the tortoise may be slow, but it still reaches the finish line.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I invite you to explore working with me to gain more agency in your chronic illness journey. Let’s focus on your wins, tackle your struggles, and create a personalized plan to help you balance your energy so you can thrive.
You’ve got this, one step at a time.
If you could create one change in your routine that might improve your overall balance with chronic illness, what would it be?
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