Reclaim Personal Power: Plug Back In and Power On

I used to hand my power away like free samples at Costco.....

I used to hand my power away like free samples at Costco.

If someone was in a bad mood? I absorbed it.If someone didn’t like me? I spiraled.If something didn’t go as planned? My whole day unraveled.

It was like my emotional state had a remote control… and everyone else had the batteries.

I thought I was just sensitive. Or empathic. Or spiritual. (Let’s be real — I thought I was “evolved.”)

But the truth was: I was outsourcing my emotional state.I was letting other people, circumstances, even texts or glances — dictate how I felt inside.

And I’ll tell you right now: That is the fastest way to feel powerless.

What Does It Mean to Reclaim Personal Power?

Here’s the hard truth that set me free (and stung a little at first):

No one “makes” you feel anything.Your emotional state is self-generated.

That doesn’t mean emotions aren’t real — it means you’re the one with the power to shift your state, not just react to everything outside you.

Reclaiming personal power is the recognition that your thoughts, focus, body, and breath all work like dials on an internal control panel — and you can actually learn how to use them.

This is where NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) changed everything for me. I realized my state wasn’t a fixed thing. It was programmable. Adjustable. Reclaimable.

And like any system, I could reboot it. Reset it. Plug back in and power on.

Why We Give Our Power Away — And How to Stop

Sometimes it looks like:

• Waiting for someone to validate you so you can feel good

• Blaming someone else for how you feel

• Letting someone’s opinion override your intuition

• Trying to “read the room” instead of owning your energy

None of that is “bad.” It’s just what happens when we forget we have internal tools.

But the moment you notice you're disconnected… is the moment you can start plugging back in.

The POWER Acronym: A Plug-In for Personal Power

I created this acronym not just to teach others — but to remind myself every day what it takes to reclaim my power.

Here's how it works:

P – Present: Be Where Your Power Actually Is

Ever notice anxiety lives in the future, and regret lives in the past?But power? Power lives right now.Getting present is the first shift. Breathe. Feel your feet. Engage your senses.This is your power socket. Plug in.

O – Observe: Be Curious, Not Critical

You don’t have to “fix” your emotions. Just observe them.Where are they in your body? What’s the story you're telling?Once you’re watching it — not being it — you’re back in the driver’s seat.Observation = ownership.

W – Watch: Your Environment Is Talking to You

Energy is contagious. Who or what are you plugged into?Watch what lifts you. Watch what drains you.Start choosing inputs that match who you're becoming.Your nervous system will thank you.

E – Energy: Manage It Like It Matters (Because It Does)

This is your fuel source.Are you charging or depleting yourself?Movement, breath, hydration, sleep, boundaries — that’s power hygiene.You don’t get a full charge by scrolling in bed and calling it rest. (I’ve tried.)

R – Releasing: Let Go to Light Up

Let go of the grudge.Let go of the “should.”Let go of the idea that power = control.True power isn’t about gripping tighter. It’s about clearing space so your real self can shine.

How to Reclaim Personal Power Right Now

Try this:

• Take a breath in. Then one more sip at the top. Exhale slow.

• Say out loud: “I’m in charge of how I feel.”

• Choose a micro action that matches who you want to be — a stretch, a smile, a boundary, a nap.

• Notice what shifts.

Even a 2% shift in state is a total reboot for your brain and body. You don’t need to force transformation. You just need to practice choosing your state — moment by moment.

Reclaiming Power Is a Daily Practice — Not a One-Time Fix

I still catch myself giving my power away. The difference now?I notice it faster and plug back in sooner.

That’s what this work is.Not perfection. Not control.Awareness, ownership, and daily power-ups.

Want Help Reclaiming Your Power?

If you’re ready to feel clear, confident, and in control again — I’d love to support you.

Book a complimentary 55-minute discovery session:

https://calendly.com/carolynbarnes/55-min

FREE STRATEGY CALL!

We’ll:

• Identify where you're losing power

• Uncover emotional patterns or beliefs draining your energy

• Create a personalized plan to get you back in charge — of your thoughts, emotions, and direction

It’s free. It’s powerful. And it’s the first step to finally feeling like you again.

Want On-Demand Tools to Stay Plugged In?

Join my MASTER-PEACE™ Membership — a full mind-body audio library + live monthly coaching to help you:

• Rewire your stress response

• Stop overthinking

• And tap into the part of you that already knows how to lead

Explore membership options here:www.carolynbarnes.com/memberships

Power isn’t something you get from the outside.It’s already inside you — you just have to stop unplugging from it.

You’re not weak. You’re not broken.You’re just ready to remember who you are.

Plug in. Power on. Let’s go!!!

;)