As the final hours of the year slip away, let’s pause—not to list resolutions, but to reflect on something more vital: how we’ve spent our energy.
Imagine yourself as a full bottle—brimming with time, care, love, and attention. Over the past year, you’ve poured into others: relationships, responsibilities, dreams, and demands. But not every bottle you poured into was the same. And not every pour was wise.
Self-awareness begins with recognising your own capacity. You are not an infinite source. Your energy is precious, and how you use it shapes your well-being. Before you pour, ask: Am I full enough to give? Am I giving from abundance or depletion?
Situational awareness is the art of seeing clearly—of discerning the nature of the bottles around you:
– Bottle A: Leaking and unhealing. These are the people or situations that consume endlessly. No matter how much you give, it disappears. In 2026, may you learn to stop overextending here. And if you find yourself leaking, may you commit to healing before expecting others to fill you.
– Bottle B: Cracked but mending. These are the ones who are trying. They may be struggling, but they’re working on themselves. They receive with gratitude and give what they can. In 2026, support them—but not at the cost of your own stability.
– Bottle C: Whole and reciprocal. These are your safe harbors—mutual, energizing, and life-giving. In 2026, prioritize these connections. They are rare and sacred.
– Bottle D : Whole but withholding. These are the ones who claim they can’t give, yet somehow find energy for others. In 2026, may you see through the illusion. Set boundaries. Your compassion is a gift, not a resource to be exploited.
– Bottle E: Empty but willing. These are the humble, the open-hearted, the ones who may not have much now but are eager to grow. In 2026, may you recognize their potential and invest wisely—because willingness is a powerful currency.
Matching energy is not about keeping score. It’s about alignment. It’s about choosing to engage where there is mutual respect, effort, and care. It’s about honouring your own needs as much as you honour others’.
To avoid burnout and compassion fatigue, you must learn to pause. To refill. To say no without guilt. To recognise when your giving has become self-erasure. You are not selfish for protecting your peace—you are sustainable.
As the clock strikes midnight, ask yourself:
– Where did I give too much?
– Where did I feel most seen?
– Who did I uplift—and who uplifted me?
– Where did I ignore red flags in the name of loyalty?
– Who quietly poured into me while I was too distracted to notice?
Let 2026 be the year you pour with discernment. Let it be the year you stop mistaking overgiving for love, and start choosing balance over burnout.
Here’s to a year of clarity, courage, and conscious connection.
Happy New Year in advance
