Unsubscribe From Your Life: Finding Freedom Through Energy Intelligence

Are you subscribed to things you've completely forgotten about? (And I'm not just talking about those streaming services you barely use...)

We all know the frustration of having a credit card compromised. The frantic calls, the cancelled subscriptions, the anxious waiting for a replacement card. Recently, when my credit card was compromised, I discovered something unexpected beyond the inconvenience—a powerful metaphor for reclaiming our energy and transforming our approach to life's demands.

The Great Subscription Audit: What Are You Really Paying For?

When my card was cancelled, payments started failing. My automatic subscriptions, everything from streaming services to meditation apps, began sending those "We couldn't process your payment" notifications.

Here's where things got interesting: I didn't miss most of them.

As my subscriptions were automatically cancelled, I realized I had been paying for, and feeling obligated to use, services I'd completely forgotten about. Disney+? I hadn't watched it in months. That meditation app? I hadn't opened it since the day I downloaded it.

Quick reality check: How many subscriptions are silently draining your bank account (and your energy account) each month without adding real value to your life?

Beyond Streaming Services: What Else Are You Subscribing To?

The revelation wasn't just about digital subscriptions. It sparked a deeper question:

What relationships, obligations, and roles am I "subscribing to" that no longer serve me?

Think about it—we "renew" these subscriptions every time we:

• Show up for that friendship that consistently leaves us drained
• Accept another obligation because "that's what good employees/mothers/partners do"
• Maintain outdated expectations in relationships that have clearly evolved
• Keep pursuing goals based on someone else's definition of success

Just like my forgotten Disney+ subscription, these commitments silently drain our energy without providing value in return.

The Permission Slip You've Been Waiting For

Here's what I discovered during my forced subscription detox:

1. I had more time. Without the endless scrolling through streaming services trying to find "the perfect thing to watch," I reclaimed hours each week.
2. I spent less money. No card meant no impulsive online shopping—no dopamine hit from adding items to cart.
3. I felt lighter. Each notification of a failed payment became a weird relief. One less thing to manage.

But the most profound shift happened when I applied this same "unsubscribe" mindset to other areas of my life.

Energy Intelligence: The New Time Management

We've all heard of time management. But what about energy management?

Time is fixed—we all get the same 24 hours. But energy? That's where the real difference lies. Energy is a limited resource that requires intelligent allocation.

The problem isn't that we don't have enough time. It's that we're subscribing to too many things that deplete our energy.

Between you and me - how often do you find yourself saying: "I want to do this thing, but I'm so tired, so busy, I don't have time"?

How to Cancel Your Life Subscriptions (Without Feeling Guilty)

Ready to become the architect of your own boundaries? Here's how to start your subscription audit:

1. Map It Out (You Can't Do This in Your Head)

Grab a journal and write down everything you're currently subscribing to:

• Relationships (personal and professional)
• Commitments and responsibilities
• Roles you play
• Expectations (your own and others')
• Actual subscriptions and recurring payments

See it all in one place. I guarantee you'll be surprised by how much is actually on your plate.

2. Ask the Hard Questions

For each item, ask yourself:

• Does this still align with my values and vision?
• Is there reciprocity, or am I over-giving?
• Am I holding onto an outdated version of this relationship/commitment?
• What would happen if I unsubscribed?
• How much energy would I reclaim by letting this go?

3. Review the Terms and Conditions

Just like those digital subscriptions, every commitment in your life has "terms and conditions." The difference is - you get to renegotiate them.

This doesn't necessarily mean cutting people off (I'm not always a fan of that approach). Instead, it means creating healthy boundaries that honor your capacity.

For instance:

• Adjusting how much emotional labor you provide in unbalanced relationships
• Letting go of others' expectations or opinions that don't align with your values
• Stopping the hustle for approval from people who don't share your vision

The Freedom of Less

The unexpected gift from my credit card fiasco was the reminder that capacity honouring trumps productivity every time.

We're not robots - we're humans with finite energy reserves. When we honour that truth and become selective about what we subscribe to, something magical happens:

We find freedom in having less on our plates. We discover energy we didn't know we had. We create space for what truly matters.

Ready for Your Own Subscription Audit?

I'm giving you permission to unsubscribe from the things that don't fit into your vision for your life. (Yes, this is your official permission slip!)

What will you unsubscribe from this week? What energy-draining commitment can you renegotiate? How might your life feel lighter with fewer subscriptions?

Remember - radical honesty isn't about what should be or what others think you should do. It's about looking in the mirror and acknowledging what you already know to be true about where your energy is going.

And trust me, the freedom on the other side is worth it.

Are you struggling with the weight of trying to do it all? Let's connect! Share in the comments what you're planning to unsubscribe from, or send me an email to continue the conversation.