Let’s Talk About Energy - Take Shape Adventures

Energy can mean plenty of different things for nature, plants, machines, and especially for living creatures – that’s us! It doesn’t just apply to the physical kind of energy that Zumba coaches seem to have endless amounts of, it also applies to the emotional and social energy, the kind we share with each other. These include our words, our tone, our attitude… even our unspoken vibes.

Let me be clear. I’m not talking about that fake-smile, manifest-your-way-out-of-your-problems kind of positivity. We’ve all seen it. It’s exhausting, it can very easily develop into toxic positivity, and let’s face it — it usually misses the point. No, the kind of positive energy I’m talking about is real, grounded, contagious positivity. The kind that says, “Yep, this is hard, but we’re in it together.” The kind that holds you accountable to your best self with encouragement, not shaming or suppressing.

Here’s an interesting fact for you…

Did you know positive emotions are literally contagious? Like yawns or laughter in a crowd, your brain mirrors the energy around you. It’s called social contagion and it can be incredibly effective with both positive and negative energy. I literally just yawned from typing the word “yawn”.

So if you’re around people who constantly spiral into negativity, blame, or fear, guess what your nervous system starts picking up? It tells you that these energies are the way to connect with the people around you and starts mimicking them. Our bodies are very clever in the way they seek things that are good for us, like social connection, but sometimes they go about it the wrong way!

On the other hand, when you’re around people who reframe, who pause, who ask good questions, who believe in you, you walk away feeling lighter, more capable, and more like yourself. It can seem like an indescribable feeling sometimes, but I think you know what I’m talking about. Those people who require zero effort to be around, they’re the ones with the energy your body loves.

Interestingly, we actually bond faster over negativity. It’s the “Can you believe this weather?” shortcut, or the classic saying: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Connection over a shared dislike of something is certainly powerful, but at the same time, it provides a fleeting connection that does nothing to fill your cup. Deeper, healthier bonds make us happier, stronger, and more resilient. Yes, they may take more intention, patience, and honesty, but it is so much more worth it. These are the kinds of bonds we build on the trail.

When the going gets tough on tour

As a guide, one of the hardest moments is when the group energy shifts because someone’s having a rough time. It’s rarely the physical challenge that gets them. It’s often the feeling of being out of control, afraid, or overwhelmed. These feelings can manifest in many ways, but they often show up as blame, negativity, or shutdown. The struggling person suddenly believes they can no longer do it, and a section of trail that they were previously coping with becomes something insurmountable.

Take it from us (because we know): adventure can be messy. It’s not always smooth. Sometimes we need to make a hard call in the moment. Sometimes things don’t go to plan. Same goes for work and life, right? Last-minute changes pop up all the time and can make things seem instantly far more difficult or downright impossible. But your secret power is that you get to choose your mindset.

I’ve Been There

When I’m scared or uncertain, I tend to bunker down, get quiet, or even become a bit snappy or self-righteous. In the moment, it feels good to be “right” because it gives me that feeling of confidence and certainty that my mind is craving. Bunkering down and isolating feels good because it limits my world, making it easier to control and again giving that feeling of confidence and power. But it’s not always helpful or even real, because ignoring problems or flying over the top of them doesn’t mean they go away.

So now I try to pause and ask: “What’s really going on for me here?” In that moment where I am truly honest with myself, I can finally get to the root of the issue. It allowed me to discover what will help me actually grow and change in that moment, rather than reverting back to my unhelpful habits.

Who’s on your life team?

This month, take a little stock while you’re having your usual social connection moments. Who are you spending time with? Do they lift you up? Do they challenge your thinking with love? Or do they keep you stuck? We often don’t question the people around us in this way and it’s not a way to pass judgement on our peers. Especially note that we’re not encouraging you to dump all of your friends and go it alone instead.

However, it does benefit us to be more observant, thoughtful, and intentional about the energy you absorb from the people around you. Your vibe really does attract your tribe.

Take-home tools for better energy

Here’s how to start shifting things without the toxic positivity fluff that you see on social media:

Notice the loop – Are you venting or spiralling? Name it.
Choose a new angle – What else might be true here?
Change the room – Walk away, breathe, go outside.
Pick your people – Find the lifters, not the drainers.
Model the good stuff – Be the one who listens, reframes, supports, and calls people in.

If there’s anything you take away from this blog, let it be this… Positivity isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff. Hard stuff pops up in life constantly and it doesn’t magically go away when we turn a blind eye. Instead, positivity is about knowing you can face the hard stuff (with the support of other people and good energy) and still find joy along the way.