Photo credit - Vitality Shevchenko - Unsplash
In the TV show, Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins is a dark figure who lurks in the shadows, waiting to drain the life out of his victims. Barnabas doesn’t just take a sip- no he drains his victims, leaving them weak, vulnerable, and exhausted. Through draining his victims of their blood, their source of life, they came under his spell, his control. Well, Dark Shadows is a TV show and vampires are creatures of myth. But, there are folk in our everyday lives who do the same thing; but instead of draining our blood, they drain our energy, our peace, and even our joy if we let them!
Energy Vampires are individuals who consciously or unconsciously drain the emotional, mental, or spiritual energy of others. Their behaviors tend to be rooted in negativity, self-centeredness, or constant neediness, leaving folk around them feeling…
Depleted – physically and emotionally exhausted
Overwhelmed – burdened by their constant demands
Irritable – on edge after interacting with them
Anxious – tense and unsettled always bracing for them to take more energy
Deflated – unmotivated and unenthusiastic
Through a spiritual lens, energy vampires live out of the “false self” inspired by fear, shame, and their experiences of conditional love. They may be individuals with unresolved wounds and insecurities that show up as defensiveness, ego-driven behaviors, emotional manipulation, continual creators of “drama,” “conversation hogs,” and an intense focus on self-gratification.
So, how do you handle these jokers?
Maintain healthy boundaries, be committed to practices that nourish your spirit (prayer, meditation, etc), and take time to recharge! This is not about shunning or judging them; it’s about protecting your own well-being! If you don't, you know they won't.
I hope this helps you spot energy vampires around you and inspires you to take back your energy!
Always encouraging reflection,
WandaP
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