Supporting Others Begins with Supporting Yourself: 8 Ways to Clear Blocked Energy and Strengthen Your Life’s Flow

David Conti
Oct 2
5 min read

Your healing work is a gift to the world—but it can only shine when your own energy flows freely. As holistic healers, shiatsu practitioners, and wellness advocates, we often give endlessly to others while carrying unneeded weight in our own lives: draining relationships, cluttered spaces, obligations that no longer fit. In this new article, learn eight powerful ways to clear blockages in your people, places, activities, and habits—freeing space for vitality, abundance, and joy. When you heal yourself first, you amplify your ability to heal others, attracting the clients, opportunities, and life you were meant to embrace.

“When you heal yourself first, you amplify your ability to heal others.”

As healers, teachers, and practitioners, you give a tremendous amount of yourself to others—physically, mentally, and emotionally. You hold space for their pain, their breakthroughs, and their growth. But in the process, it’s easy to overlook your own needs, to keep pouring from a cup that is running dry.

True healing begins with you. When your Ki is flowing freely—when your energy, mind, and spirit are aligned—you naturally radiate strength and draw people to your work. And just as we clear blocked meridians in shiatsu to restore balance to the body, we can also clear blockages in our daily lives to restore balance to our purpose, relationships, and well-being.

Here are eight areas to consider—each a place where you can release what no longer serves you, open space for what you truly want, and allow your path to unfold with clarity and joy.

1. People

Your relationships can be a wellspring of inspiration—or a constant energetic drain.

Step back from energy-drainers. If you leave a conversation feeling heavy or unsettled, notice the pattern. Protecting your Ki doesn’t mean you’re unkind—it means you’re honoring your own capacity so you can help others more effectively.
Release obligation-driven connections. Not every invitation is a calling. Give yourself permission to say no to gatherings that don’t nourish you.
Evolve your circles. Surround yourself with those who understand your journey and want to see you grow. In shiatsu, when energy stagnates, we stimulate movement. The same is true with relationships—invite in people who move you forward.

“Your community should energize, not deplete you.”

2. Places

The spaces we inhabit can either recharge our energy or quietly deplete it.

Choose environments that inspire your senses. Whether it’s a tea house with gentle music or a sunny studio with plants, give your body places where your nervous system can rest.
Travel with intention. When exploring new places, tune into your heart’s pull rather than following old lists or trends. The right environment can become a retreat for your soul.

Simplify your routines. Cut out unnecessary errands that consume energy and time. Make daily life more spacious so you can focus on nourishing movement, mindful meals, and restorative practices.

3. Things

Material clutter can hold emotional weight and block the flow of both energy and creativity.

Declutter with awareness. Each item you own has an energetic signature—keep only what supports your work and your life’s purpose.
Upgrade with gratitude. When a tool or piece of equipment no longer functions well, replace it with one that brings ease and joy to your practice. This could be as simple as a new bolster, sharper knives for cooking, or a comfortable meditation cushion.

Release the storage boxes. If you haven’t touched something in years, consider whether its energy is serving you—or simply taking up space that could be filled with something life-giving.

4. Activities

Every commitment is an exchange of energy.

Let go of what you’ve outgrown. If a class, group, or event no longer excites you, release it so you can say yes to something that does.
Stop chasing unreciprocated connections. Relationships flourish when both parties invest. If the balance is always one-sided, redirect your energy where it will be met with warmth and respect.
Reevaluate your commitments. Volunteer work, collaborations, and teaching engagements should feel aligned, not draining. It’s okay to step away from roles that no longer match your energy or direction.

“Every yes is also a no—to something else.”

5. Spending

How you use money is another expression of how you use energy.

Invest where it matters most. Whether it’s continuing education, a nourishing retreat, or better food for your body, choose expenses that feed your vitality.
Release the pressure of comparison. You don’t need to match another practitioner’s space, wardrobe, or travel schedule to be successful. Your authenticity is what draws clients, not your image.

Choose stability over stress. Just as we ground the body before moving energy, ground your finances before chasing high-risk ventures.

6. Leisure

Rest and play are essential for sustainable energy flow.

Engage in uplifting pastimes. Creative expression, nature walks, dancing—these are not luxuries but vital parts of a balanced life.
Set screen-time boundaries. Online spaces can be useful but can also scatter your focus. Protect your mental clarity by choosing presence over scrolling.

Prioritize growth. Choose leisure that awakens curiosity, challenges your skills, or deepens your awareness.

7. Spirituality

Your spiritual connection is the deep well from which your healing work draws.

Allow your practices to evolve. As you grow, your rituals may shift—let them. Follow what opens your heart and connects you to life’s flow.
Immerse yourself in nature. The earth’s rhythms have a profound effect on your own. Whether it’s forest bathing, watching the sunrise, or planting herbs, connect often.

Anchor yourself in gratitude. By focusing on what is working and abundant, you invite more of it into your life.

8. Fitness

A healthy body is the vessel for your life’s work.

Move in ways that delight you. Whether it’s Qigong, yoga, walking, cycling, or swimming, choose movement that feels like a gift, not a chore.
Release comparison. Your body is not in competition with anyone else’s—not even your own from the past.
Respect rest. In shiatsu, we understand that restoration is as important as stimulation. Give yourself recovery days to keep your energy strong.

“Rest is not a weakness—it’s where healing takes root.”

The Power of Letting Go

Letting go is not about loss—it’s about making space. Space for new clients, new inspiration, new vitality. When you free yourself from people, places, habits, and beliefs that no longer support your life’s flow, you create room for the Universe to meet you halfway. Heal yourself first, and your energy will naturally extend to those you serve.

Quick Energy Flow Tips

(A sidebar for easy reference)

Morning Movement: Start each day with 5–10 minutes of stretching, tapping, or Qigong to awaken your Ki.
One Item Out: Remove one unnecessary item from your home or studio each week.
Nature Break: Spend at least 20 minutes outside daily—no devices, just breath and presence.
Gratitude Pause: End your day by naming three things that brought you joy or peace.

Client Energy Check: Before each session, take three deep breaths and set an intention for your work.

David Conti is a New Hampshire-based massage therapist, certified Zero Balancing® practitioner, financial writer, and retirement coach. A Boston College School of Management graduate, David believes that while financial security is essential, the heart of retirement lies in freedom—freedom to pursue passions, reinvent oneself, and live authentically. As Founder/Retirement Coach at RetireMentors, he helps individuals navigate the transition to a meaningful and fulfilling life in retirement and successfully navigate their next chapter.