Thanks for satyrlovesong for the pointer to an article in today’s Sacramento Bee on Energy Vampires (idiotic registration required). This article discusses those people in our lives that suck you positive energy. This is based on a book by Dr. Judith Orloff titled “Positive Energy: 10 Extraordinary Prescriptions for Transforming Fatigue, Stress & Fear Into Vibrance, Strength & Love” (Three Rivers Press, $14, 384 pages). Orloff identifies nine different types of energy vampires, including the “sob sister,” the “blamer,” the “drama queen” and the “constant talker.” Cheryl Dellasega of PSU says this is an new name for an old phenomenon of the high maintenance person, basically anyone who takes, takes, takes in a relationship.
Certainly these folk exits. Of course, she missed some: 11 year olds with a school project due. Sundays.
Today, I feel like an energy vampire visited overnight. I have no energy. I’ve reviewed a document. I’ve gone back to bed for an hour. I helped my daughter with her project. None of this is advancing my goals for the day (but it is helping my daughter).
So what do I need to do? Not much. I need to collect the trash and get it out. I need to pack for a trip; Monday I’m flying out to Bethesda MD, returning Thursday evening. That’s about it. There’s more I could do (fix a leaky faucet, work in the yard, etc.), but I just don’t feel like it.
I think I’ll give in. I’ll pack, have my daughter collect the trash, and just veg. You need to do this every now and then.
