Just when I thought I had completely inventoried my closet of anxieties, I discover … ENERGY VAMPIRES!
Unlike their blood sucking cousins with bad Romanian accents, these ‘energy vampires’ feed on CARE. They are not exclusive to spouse caregivers or caregiving, BEWARE!
“Energy Vampires are not to be confused with the vast majority of people who simply need help, support, direction and care...
No, the people I'm talking about here are relentless in their negativity and their 'woe-is-me'ness”
It's great to be a giver, a carer and a feeler (sometimes), but now and then we need to take a stand with certain people.. because if we don't, we begin to suffer and then nobody wins.”
DEALING WITH ENERGY VAMPIRES by Craig Harper
“Some people bring unexpected lightness and comfort to your life. They crackle with energy, practically electrify you with their presence. And then there are those who leave you feeling stressed out. Or guilty. Or exhausted down to your very last molecule.
I call them energy vampires …”
WATCH OUT FOR ENERGY VAMPIRES By Dr. Judith Orloff
While certainly the above writers are insightful, I am not so sure about psychobabble as a vampire deterrent. “Gee, Count Dracula you sound conflicted.” ??
The ‘old ways’ have a certain appeal to me. If pulling out garlic, holy water, and a cross has not given the annoying, energy-sucking, woe-is-me person a hint, I suspect the wooden “woe-is-you” stake should do the trick. <grin>
Or … discussing the topic with Patti last night (well actually twice since Multiple Sclerosis short term memory problems necessitated a replay <grin>), Patti proposed ...
“just tell them to get the f*ck over it!” 
Caregivingly Yours, J Patrick Leer
non-caregiver musings: www.lairofcachalot.blogspot.com
I'm with Patti on this one; it does seem like psychobabble to me, but I could identify a few people that do/have sapped my energy; interestingly, I'm related to them
ReplyDeleteagain, Patrick, you need to write more, not less, and its because of entries like this one exactly why; Patti's comment gave me a great morning laugh and will stay with me for today and perhaps might help me conserve my energy from those "vampires" in my life :)
betty
I have a energy vampire problem right now so I can relate. I have tried everything but the stake, that is next, LOL. Patty is right.
ReplyDeleteJulie
(((((((((((HUGSOYOU)))))Intresting to know.Have a good day.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Patti on this one. I know a few like that and they leave me exhausted.
ReplyDeleteSmiles, Leigh
LOLOLOLOL.....I've pulled a 'Patti' a couple of times myself. It's amazing how much energy you recoup when you tell them that!!
ReplyDeleteJackie
I read Dr. Judith Orloff's book about energy vampires called <a href="http://www.drjudithorloff.com/positiveEnergy.asp">Positive Energy</a>. It was witty and fascinating. I found the tools for combating those pesky vampires to be quite useful.
ReplyDeletei love patty's answer :)
ReplyDeleteDeb
LOL. :o) I love Patti's views and she's right! :o)
ReplyDeleteLisa