Life Beyond TV | Part 2

11 Ways I Direct My Energy Beyond the Television Screen

In a world full of screens, notifications, and endless media, it can be easy to let our energy be pulled in directions we don't consciously choose. The things we watch, the media we consume, and the energy we absorb influences our mindset, beliefs, and ways of being — both consciously and subconsciously.

Over time, I've realized that I thrive most when I direct my energy intentionally, aligning with natural rhythms and practices that ground me in my body, the earth, and the seasons. I began to cultivate a new way of being that reconnects me to my roots, my humanity, and the life that surrounds me.

If you missed my earlier post Life Beyond TV Pt. 1: Creating Space for Presence and Purpose, I shared common fears that the television industry feeds on, why I decided to turn the tv off for good (mostly), and how it’s reshaped the way I live and create. Feel free to give it a read.

Living without a television wasn’t easy at first. I found myself bored, almost restless, as my mind and body began to recalibrate to all of the open space that suddenly existed. I didn’t quite know what to do with it.

Thank goodness I knew about energy. Instead of directing it toward the television (tell-a-vision), endless phone tasks, or social media, I began directing it toward myself, my own visions, dreams, and desires. I reconnected with my chakras (our main energy centers) — and they provided an anchor throughout that transition.

Side Note: If you're interested in learning about the seven chakras, I'm currently offering a Chakra Series — an 8-week journey into the energy body. If you’re curious about your emotional and energetic self, this series offers a really enlightening experience. You’ll discover practical ways to bring balance to each chakra through movement, mindfulness, and reflection.

Now, let’s get into it — here are 11 ways I direct my energy beyond the screens.

1. Focus on Your Passions and Goals

The number one thing I do instead of watching TV is to focus on my passions and goals. This is where my energy naturally flows — my work, creative projects, intentions, and goals. Pouring into the things I care about most helps me feel alive, purposeful, and deeply engaged with life. Every day, I think of what I want to create and offer to the present moment, myself, my relationships, and my community. Some days I pour my heart into a newsletter or blog; on others, I create yoga sequences, meditations, videos, outlines, manage the website, draft up workshops, events, plans, and more. Other days I rest, I work on myself — my emotional work, my body, my mind, and my spirit.

2. Yoga as Medicine

Yoga helps me keep moving. Not just physically, but spiritually. Have you ever felt great, and just witnessing someone else's bad day sends you to a dark place? How do we keep our spirits high in a world full of suffering? A consistent yoga practice helps me to remain confident in myself, balances my energy, and calms my mind. It's one of the main ways I stay connected to my body and grounded in the present moment, especially in a world that can feel overwhelming or demanding. I love blending Hatha and Restorative Yoga to create a practice that feels both supportive and strengthening. Restorative yoga invites me to soften, slow down, and turn inward. It helps me relax and to practice surrender — physically, emotionally, and energetically.

Hatha yoga, on the other hand, helps me stay focused, committed, and rooted in my willpower. It builds strength and resilience, supporting both my physical body and my ability to stay driven in life. Mindful movement keeps our bodies limber and alive, helping to prevent the stiffness and aches that arise from being inactive or disconnected from our bodies. If you're interested in starting a yoga practice, I offer yoga classes that are beginner-friendly and open to the community:

• Restorative Yoga is a beautiful practice for grounding the nervous system. If you’re navigating stress or anxiety, carrying emotional or physical trauma, or recovering from surgery, restorative yoga can help your body soften, release, and relearn ease and comfort.

• Hatha Yoga is wonderful for balancing the energy centers of the body. It helps release stagnancy and builds resilience during challenging times, increasing strength and flexibility in life.

3. Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation has been another powerful replacement for screen time. One of the best ways to begin is to create a comfortable space where you can sit regularly. You might include a candle, a cushion, oracle cards, essential oils, a photo of a loved one, or something else meaningful to you. Over time, you may find you need fewer objects. As our inner peace grows, it becomes easier to let go of distractions and external comforts.

There are so many ways to meditate. I often teach and practice mindfulness meditation (breath awareness, body awareness, thought observation, sensation focus, etc.), but at home, I also infuse energy healing into my meditations. You can create transformative visualizations, reflect on a feeling, a memory, a photo, or even younger or previous versions of yourself — connecting with parts of you that long to be seen and held with compassion.

4. Musical Therapy

Music is another deeply healing outlet. It connects to our sacral chakra (our center for emotional and creative well-being) and opens the throat and heart chakra, helping us to express what's inside.

Allowing yourself to explore music freely — without worrying about mistakes — can be incredibly liberating and freeing. If you’re a Rochester local and are looking for a place to explore music in community, we host Open Jam Sessions every other Saturday. It’s a judgment-free space where all levels are welcome, no experience necessary, and we have plenty of instruments to share.

My partner and I have a band together, but because I am a full-time wellness practitioner, I hardly ever give our music the glory it deserves. If you'd like to take a gander I will drop the link here: UIJ - Unplanned Improvised Jams. We create music from the soul and love sharing our love for music with others! I once lived my life with a blocked throat chakra and was afraid to sing. That fear and opening was a catalyst to the jam sessions we share.

5. Art and Soul

Art is a creative practice that helps us stay connected to our emotions and the sacral chakra. Our sacral chakra holds a wide spectrum of emotions, including joy and pleasure, but also anger, frustration, and sadness. Through creative practices like painting, music, or other artistic expressions, we can channel these emotions in ways that feel safe, meaningful, and many times — transformative. Imagine feeling intense anger or frustration: if you expressed it through yelling at someone, it might not be productive. But if you channel that same energy into a song, a painting, or another creative medium, it can be witnessed, appreciated, and understood — both by yourself and potentially by others.

There are countless ways to engage with art. As you explore your sacral chakra and experiment with different mediums, you may feel drawn to certain techniques, practices, hobbies, or creative outlets — painting, crafting, sewing, designing, collaging, or anything that allows your creativity to flow. What starts as a simple experiment may develop into a deeper skill as you continue to practice and let your creativity flow!

The heart can speak without words.

Honoring color and its connection to everything.

A reminder that meaning often emerges in layers.

6. Journal Your Heart Out

For me, journaling became essential during my spiritual awakening, when I was receiving a lot of insights and downloads from Spirit. It was a lot to process, and writing helped me get my thoughts out onto paper, sort through them, stay grounded, release the negative, and welcome in the positive.

Sometimes I write paragraphs; other times I scribble, make lists, or do a “mind dump”. Getting thoughts out of your head and onto paper can be incredibly healing and clarifying. Thoughts in the mind can feel chaotic, but once they’re on paper, they become more organized and understandable. I also keep a journal next to my meditation space for when something arises that I want to note or hold space for.

If you’re interested in journaling, I host Inner Soil Gatherings every 2nd and 4th Tuesday where we focus on a life theme together (grounding, self-love, strength, trust, etc) through guided meditation and reflective prompts.

7. Mother Nature

Spending time in nature has become one of my greatest joys. Whether it’s watching the birds, taking a walk, or just sitting outside for a moment of peace, it reconnects me to the earth and my inner child.

Right now, in winter, there are so many opportunities to experience joy in the season: building snowmen, making snow angels, skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or just noticing the sparkling snow. Winter invites us to slow down, breathe, and savor the present moment. Often, it’s easy to huddle inside or skip seasonal activities, but when we pause to notice and engage with the world around us, we feel more connected — to nature, to life, and to ourselves!

Being outdoors offers grounding, clarity, and awe that no screen could ever replace.

Wolf Creek at Letchworth State Park

8. Cook More

Honestly, cooking at home is something I’m still integrating. For years, I worked full-time as a waitress and server, and after long days on my feet, it was easy to come home, turn on the TV, and choose convenience. Eating out became a familiar rhythm, and I often found myself stuck in that pattern.

Now that I work at home or in the studio, cooking has become a way to slow down, nourish myself, and reconnect with my body. Being in the kitchen invites presence — choosing ingredients, listening to what my body needs, and allowing myself to be creative. It’s also a space where I’m learning a lot: how to be more intentional with food choices, resourceful with what I have, and respectful of my energy and needs.

This has been one of my biggest areas of personal work. I love eating out and truly appreciate food made by people who dedicate their lives to their craft. I’m a foodie at heart, and I enjoy tasting many different cuisines and flavors.

Finding balance between cooking at home and savoring meals prepared by others is still a practice for me. It’s not about restriction or perfection, but about staying connected to life’s simple joys. In that way, cooking becomes another way I redirect my energy rather than turning to the television. It’s a work in progress, but I love trying new recipes and using fresh ingredients!

9. Home is Where the Heart Is

I believe our homes are intimately connected to the earth and to our spirituality. Our homes hold us — they hold our experiences, our memories, and our energy. They shelter us, keep us warm, and offer a container for our lives as they unfold.

For me, caring for my home is a spiritual practice. It’s a way of honoring the space that supports me every day. Just as our homes take care of us, I believe we are meant to take care of them in return. When we tend to our spaces with intention, we create environments

that feel nourishing, grounding, and supportive of our well-being.

This might look like creating a workspace that keeps you motivated, a kitchen that invites creativity, or a living room designed for connection — with music, board games, and space to truly experience life. Our homes can be places where we rest, create, reflect, and gather, rather than places we want to escape from. One of the first blog posts I wrote, Creating a Cozy Container for Your Home, shares creative ways to bring comfort and coziness into everyday spaces. While it’s fall-themed, you’re welcome to adapt the ideas to your liking. I hope you enjoy it!

10. Community Is Everything

Community is essential to living a full and connected life. At both Wildflower Wellness and The Aligned Collective, we offer many ways to nourish well-being, but we also deeply value receiving experiences. Being part of the community — sharing the love, witnessing others, and participating brings a sense of belonging and connection to the Earth and to one another.

I love going out into the world to experience the gifts, wisdom, and talents others: live music, dances, shows, workshops, classes, gatherings, and creative events of all kinds. These spaces invite us to connect, to learn, to play, and to remember that we don’t have to live life alone.

Community gives us places to be seen and supported, to celebrate our differences, and to grow together. It reminds us that we are part of something larger — connected not just to ourselves, but to each other and to the living world around us. Redirecting energy toward community is one of the most powerful ways I’ve found to feel at home on this planet.

May these small, mindful practices allow you to move through the season with presence, gratitude, and ease, making your home and heart a supportive anchor for your spirit.

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