photo credit: aussiegall via flickr

One ordinary morning I realized I was emotionally and physically exhausted from concentrating on things I wanted to buy but couldn’t afford.  I felt trapped in a vicious circle.  The more I focused on lack and on what I couldn’t have, the more depressed I become.  The more depressed I became, the more I focused on lack…What I hungered for was a inner peace that the world could not take away. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

I’ve been there.

When I read this passage in Simple Abundance, it was as of Sarah was reading my mind. In my post-holiday blah’s I’ve fallen into this cycle way more often than I’m willing to admit.  Once there, it’s hard to pull yourself out.  Even worse as an entrepreneur, it can be devastating to the business.

I’ve been here before so I know a bit of what to do.

When the feeling hits

At the first signs of the lack cycle, I look for a couple things.  Do I need more rest?  Have I been eating properly?  Have I been getting enough water?  Have I taken my vitamins?  Am I getting enough exercise? Feeling physically deprived can trigger the lack response.

If I can honestly say yes to all of those questions, I move a little deeper.

How have I been spending my time?  Have I been worrying a lot?  Have I been balancing the creative with the organizing?  Have I been working all the time?  When was the last time I was in nature?  Have I been journaling?

As I put the pieces of the puzzle together the final set of questions emerges.

Am I conscious of the abundance in my life?  Have I been practicing gratitude (doing gratitude prayers, writing in my gratitude journal, etc.)?

You need to re-energize

During the holidays you expend a lot of energy.  Not only the outward energy of running around, but inward energy.  It’s the inward energy that’s slow to replenish.  All of that organizing, planning, scheduling, making sure everything is perfect, can drain our inner well of energy.

January is a perfect time to rejuvenate.  If you don’t and try to continue on the hamster wheel, you slip into the vicious cycle of lack.

Did you know it’s only a pea sized part of your brain that controls these negative emotions?  I was shocked to learn that this week.  It helped put things in perspective.  Do I want to be controlled by a pea sized part of my brain?

Stop the cycle before it starts

If you find yourself floating toward the cycle of lack, put the bakes on.  Take a walk.  Write in your journal.  Do a little gratitude work.  Then continue that cycle until lack simply melts away.