One of the most important realizations I had in my 40s was that I’m an ambivert.

If you’re not familiar with the term, an ambivert is someone who falls between being an introvert and an extrovert. We can thrive in social situations — we’re often seen as outgoing, engaging, even energizing to others — but we also need time alone to recharge. Without it, we fizzle fast.

For years, I bounced between being the life of the party and the cranky hag who just wanted to be left alone. I always thought it was mood swings, but once I dove deeper into astrology and self-awareness, I realized something bigger was going on.

I Love People… Until I Don’t

I can easily pass as extroverted. I’m the one complimenting strangers on their hair, shoes, or outfit. I genuinely love fashion, but even more than that, I love lifting people up. There’s something magical about making someone’s day with a kind word.

But here’s the catch — “peopling” often drains me. If I’m not at least 90% charged, socializing feels like running a marathon with no training. And when that social battery runs low, I morph into someone even I don’t recognize.

“Those who get angry when you set a boundary are the ones you need to set boundaries for.” J.S. Wolfe, The Pathology of Innocence

Astrology Helped Me Understand My Energy

The turning point came when I started studying astrology more seriously. That’s when I connected the dots between my social energy patterns and my Pisces Ascendant.

If you know your rising sign, you know it’s how you move through the world — your filter for experience. Pisces is a water sign, deeply intuitive, emotionally absorbent, and always scanning the environment. It’s like having an emotional radar that never turns off. It’s beautiful, yes. But also exhausting.

I started to realize I wasn’t just swinging between introvert and extrovert — I was absorbing other people’s energy constantly. That’s not a mood swing. That’s empath overload.

Psychic Hygiene Changed Everything

One of the biggest breakthroughs I had came from practicing what I now call psychic hygiene. When I started hanging out in spiritually-aware spaces, I noticed something strange — some people were “blocked.” I couldn’t read them. It was like hitting an energetic wall.

That’s when it clicked: I’d been wide open my whole life. No filters. No energetic boundaries. Just soaking it all in — the good, the bad, and the emotionally toxic.

Pisces is the sponge of the zodiac. If you have strong Pisces placements (especially your Ascendant or Moon), you feel everything. It’s beautiful and compassionate, but without boundaries, it can wreck you. And it’s not just Pisces — all water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) have this absorbent quality, but Pisces is the most porous of them all.

How to Protect Your Energy (Without Losing Your Heart)

The solution isn’t to shut down — it’s to get intentional. Psychic hygiene can include things like:

• Grounding techniques (earthing, breathwork, visualization)
• Energetic boundaries (cord-cutting, shielding, saying no)
• Daily self-care rituals (like salt baths, journaling, or sound therapy)

It’s about learning to notice when you’re picking up someone else’s energy — and gently giving it back. Over time, you can protect yourself without closing off your empathic nature. You stay open-hearted and self-resourced.

Owning My Energy, One Step at a Time

Understanding my ambiverted nature and my Pisces Ascendant helped me stop judging myself. It’s okay to light up a room and need to disappear for a while. It’s okay to be generous and uplifting and to protect your peace. It’s not a contradiction — it’s wisdom.

If any of this resonates, maybe it’s time to explore your own chart. Are you an ambivert, an empath, or just someone who’s been giving a little too much for a little too long?

You can check your chart here. Check out 5 Valuable Life Lessons I’ve Learned About Healing with an Autoimmune Disease! It isn’t just for those who have a chronic illness – there’s value in there for everyone.

And remember – to keep your battery charged – be kind to yourself.