Running on E? Four Simple, Effective Ways to Refill Your Empty Cup

We have lost count of the social media posts about struggling to conceive that start with: “I’m so tired”. Infertility is exhausting. It is taxing on every level, including a huge financial burden, a grueling physical process, an epic emotional rollercoaster and the ultimate test to your partnership. And that probably doesn’t even cover it all.

While enduring an experience that is so thoroughly draining, it is imperative that you are taking concrete steps to find comfort and replenishment, whenever and wherever you can. We know it’s not easy. You are desperately short on time and money and bandwidth. But even small things that may seem obvious can make a world of difference. Things you would likely tell a loved one to do to feel better, but you may not remember yourself while in the thick of navigating an infertility journey.

So without further ado, here are some simple and effective ways to refill your cup.

Find Your People

Sometimes your mom, sister and BFF mean well, but their attempts at support leave you feeling even more alone. Find a FB group, a support group or even an IG page that really resonates (@incirclefertility). Connecting with others who have been where you are, or are on the journey alongside you, will help you feel less alone.

Take a Social Media Vacation

Social media has a lot of advantages (see above!) but it can also be one of the most triggering and depleting places to spend time while struggling to conceive. Oftentimes, stepping away not only relieves you of the constant bombardment of stressful images and messages, but it opens up space to reclaim pieces of yourself that may have gone missing while in the trenches of your struggle.

Revisit What Brings You Joy

Plan one thing each day that brings you pleasure. Take a walk with a podcast. Soak in the bath. Buy a special dessert. Infertility can steal the enjoyment out of our simplest pleasures. Take back these moments.

Reconnect With Your Body

Infertility has a way of bringing up a lot of complicated feelings about your body. Add on invasive fertility treatments and the body/mind connection can go downhill fast. Acupuncture is an incredible way to restore your physical equilibrium (bonus that it’s great for all things fertility). Other ways to find your way back to your sense of physical vitality include yoga, massage, cold water plunges and meditation (try an app right before bed!).

A Little Bit Goes a Long Way

You don’t need hours of time or extra funds to restore your body and soul, provided that it’s routine and consistent. The best thing you can do now is take one simple step a day towards replenishing all that infertility can strip away. This journey is ruthless and YOU are worth it.