Expensive Energy

Not everything is paid for with money.

Some things are paid for with time. Some with attention. Some with stress. Some with energy.

It's easy to focus on the price tag and overlook the hidden costs.

A less expensive option may require hours of troubleshooting. A “free” solution may depend on someone else's schedule. Saving money can sometimes cost more energy than it's worth.

The opposite can also be true. Paying for support, simplicity, or ease may cost more upfront, but leave us with more energy for the things that matter.

The goal isn't to spend more money. The goal is to become more aware of the trade-offs.

When making decisions, it can be helpful to ask:

What is this costing me in energy?

Sometimes the answer changes everything.

A little extra money may buy back a great deal of mental peace, time, or freedom.

Energy and emotion is a form of currency, too.

The more intentional we become about the cost of different states of mind and emotions, the more we can choose how time is spent.