I want to talk about energy. More specifically, the feminine and masculine energy that is inside all of us. When we first think of the words "masculine" and "feminine", there may be a moment when stereotypical ideas pop into our heads due to the patriarchal society and the attempt to keep those forces separate. However, I challenge you to look past what first comes up in your mind, and trust more of what your intuition tells you about your energy. The feminine and masculine energy inside us runs on a spectrum that we are constantly sliding between. When our energy is heavily focused more on one side than the other, we get out of balance and may notice a depletion in energy. To find that balance between the masculine and feminine, we must give time for both throughout our day and throughout our life.
To help explore the energy you hold, I will break down and give examples for both the feminine and masculine. I will also provide ways to help create balance.
What is feminine energy?
Feminine energy focuses more on the creative side. It may look more like a Type B personality. It can be compared to the yin to the yang.
What might feminine energy look like?
When in balance: feminine energy may look like taking time in your day for self-care, working on art, or feeling an ease and openness to whatever the day brings.
When out of balance: it may look lazy or feel heavy. It may be hard to find motivation to do things or complete tasks.
Ways to incorporate feminine energy into your life (when you're feeling overworked/have too much masculine energy):
-Create: color, paint, write, cook or bake your favorite foods, make music, or read for enjoyment (nothing that has to do with your career or what you're pursuing- sorry yogis, no fun yoga books to better your practice this time!)
-Self-care: face mask, body scrub, dry brushing and self-oil massage
-Dance around: get that body moving and free all that feminine energy stored inside you!
-Try new, fun activities: whether it's attending a painting class or exploring a city with friends, go out and try something new!
What is masculine energy?
I see masculine energy as the task master, focusing on rationality and logistics. This would look more like a Type A personality. It can be compared to the yang to the yin.
What might masculine energy look like?
When in balance: masculine energy may look like effectively completing tasks, having an efficient routine, or feeling confident in the trajectory of your life.
When out of balance: it may look like overcommitting, feeling overworked, or feeling anxious about your future.
Ways to incorporate masculine energy into your life (when you're feeling depleted/have too much feminine energy):
-Create a routine: create a list of what you'd like to accomplish in the day (starting with 3 tasks a day, with the option to move up to 5 tasks later on if desirable), make time for feminine energy in this routine to allow for that energetic balance
-Learn something new: read books that pertain to your interests (go for it yogis!), do research on a topic that you've always been interested in, listen to informational podcasts
-Practice yoga: it is said that yoga increases masculine energy as it creates a focus that motivates us and connects us to our inner self; yoga can be seen as more calculated than dancing around, for example
Where do you find your energy is at right now? Is it in balance? Do you need to take some time to create and explore? Or do you need more of a routine to follow to get back into the groove of things?
Personally, I have recently been experiencing more of my masculine energy. I've been working hard at achieving my dreams, looking at them logistically and planning as much as I can plan. I began to feel tired more frequently and overworked. While having these dueling energies on my mind, I reasoned that maybe my masculine energy has been working harder than it needs to. In an attempt to tap back into my feminine energy, I decided I would change up my routine and color. I took out a coloring book I haven't touched in ages, grabbed my colored pencils, and went to work.
Since focusing on balancing my feminine and masculine energy, I have found that even though my mind leans towards the masculine, when I focus on the feminine, it's easier to access the masculine when I need it. Balancing out what side you prefer and are more comfortable with by engaging the opposite energy is really helpful in finding balance in your emotional and mental state. Both energies are in you, so you will never lose one, even when focusing on the other.
After reading this and maybe learning something new or discovering something about yourself, I want the biggest takeaway to be this: neither energy is bad, even when you are out of balance. Hold no judgment when you find yourself feeling unmotivated or overworked. The basic resources you need are here and there is so much more available out there. All you need to do is take some time, listen to your body, and give it what it needs.
