“That pot is too big” I looked at her perplexed. She pointed at a smaller one — “the plant is just going to drown and rot in all that soil and water. Here, take this one and then transfer it to a bigger pot once it grows bigger”.

My conversation at the checkout counter of the gardening store turned out to be sound advice for more than just my new money tree.

Sometimes we’re filling bigger shoes than fit on our feet – The realization that I was taking on more than I could handle and the feeling of drowning in it was familiar to me.

If you’re sensitive, have a big emotional heart and are on an awareness journey, you’re likely taking in a lot more than you need to on a daily basis.

“That pot is too big” I looked at her perplexed. She pointed at a smaller one — “the plant is just going to drown and rot in all that soil and water. Here, take this one and then transfer it to a bigger pot once it grows bigger”.

My conversation at the checkout counter of the gardening store turned out to be sound advice for more than just my new money tree.

Sometimes we’re filling bigger shoes than fit on our feet – The realization that I was taking on more than I could handle and the feeling of drowning in it was familiar to me.

If you’re sensitive, have a big emotional heart and are on an awareness journey, you’re likely taking in a lot more than you need to on a daily basis.

You may have also realized, like I have, that there are certain gifts in having a big pot aside from the tiny negative of drowning in it *wink wink* — you are able to realize things, help others, and navigate life in a creative way. You are capable of managing it, you’ve done it before, you made it work last time, but here is the problem, it just isn’t working anymore.

So how do we get smaller pots? Like every important life lesson, I learned this the hard way. Taking in way too much without awareness, boundaries, or discipline left me energetically drained and drowning in a wave pool of negativity.

Smaller Pots
The smaller pot analogy is a little confusing because smaller doesn’t mean less. You are not actually getting smaller, you are not going backwards or losing anything. In this case, a smaller pot simply means one that fits your unique self at this unique stage of your life and gives you the chance to grow in a healthy and empowered way.

Smaller pots are about taking less in and making choices that feel right to you. Many sensitives hear about boundaries all the time, but I believe there is something more important than boundaries for sensitive empaths – DISCIPLINE.

I cringe at that word so let’s use another word – self-control.

Self-control is the ability to say no to the things that aren’t working in your life and say yes to the things that are. It is the ability to follow through on a decision and stick to your guns even when you don’t want to, don’t need to and are used to being a different way. It provides an inner strength and confidence that whispers, I can trust myself.

In the scenario of taking too much on energetically and emotionally, this means shifting your focus, staying your lane and yes overlooking what doesn’t belong on your plate or in your pot.

REMINDER *** This is your pot, just because you can take on more water and soil doesn’t mean it is what is good for you.

This discipline, awareness and focus allows you to eventually grow bigger, not swollen like a sponge from all the stuff you’ve taken on but rooted and strong until you are ready for the next size up.

Growing Bigger
Growing bigger isn’t something you need to think about. It happens naturally. With the right amount of sunlight, water, soil and space, you will grow. It is natural. You don’t make the hair on your head grow; you eat food, drink water, and get a trim here and there. Before you know it, your hair has grown.

The thing that matters most is the condition of your environment. You will not grow in an environment that doesn’t provide you with the necessities of light, water, soil. For this example take a look at yourself and your environment – not only the external space but the internal space. Are you taking in too much? Is your pot too big? Can you honestly grow or do you need to switch pots?

Growing bigger is about honesty and awareness. Get real honest about your thoughts, beliefs, behaviors and habits. Be willing to take small, 2 degree shifts in the direction of a smaller and healthier pot.

Questions to Ponder
What is one easy and small step you can take today to get you there? Is limiting the news, is it making less eye contact at the store, is it letting others figure it out on their own? Is it trusting that others are strong enough? Is it getting clear on what’s in your lane and what is not?

Guiding Questions:

1. Think of experiences of both healthy + unhealthy pride.
2. Do you guard your heart? Where and why?
3. Are you willing to trust yourself with matters of the heart?

With love and light,

Orly