Do you know those people who are completely exhausting? Those people you have to deal with who completely drain you of your energy? Let’s eavesdrop on a conversation with an energy vampire.

Them: They insist that you invest your energy in their cause, and their cause always seems hopeless – or it’s just not your cause.

You: To avoid being rude, you accept their agenda. Now your brain mirrors their agitation. And it piles on your own agitation about the time you’ve wasted.

You feel depleted when you finally break free from this interaction. You resolve to make it different next time. Let’s eavesdrop on the next time.

Them: They insist that their cause is righteous and any good person would surely agree.

You: You start to raise objections, but they become more insistent so you decide to save time by going along. You end up depleted.