Feminine Energy and the Lost Art of Receiving

How modern mothers can reconnect with feminine energy through the lost art of receiving graciously and transform relationships in the process.

The Disconnect from Our Feminine Receiving Energy

What do you prefer, giving or receiving? My sense is that, like most mothers, you prefer giving… perhaps unless your love language is Receiving Gifts. When I think of most women—and for that matter, most people I know—there is often a difficulty in receiving.

I have experienced it myself and still do. That moment someone unexpectedly offers to help and your response, without even processing what was offered, is "no thank you." Or like my daughter the other day when a new playmate presented her, in the most genuine of ways, a necklace off her own neck, and my daughter politely waved her hand: "no thank you."

This got me thinking about feminine energy and receiving and the societal stories we have built up around these most human of acts, and how we've lost touch with the lost art of receiving in our modern world.

Understanding True Feminine Energy

Let's start with the fact that the act of receiving is one of the most feminine things you can do. Feminine energy is receiving, not giving. However, for us modern mothers, it seems the switch has flipped from a time when a new mother was surrounded by a whole community lifting her up, supporting her, nourishing her through giving so she could receive, heal, and become a mother in the most supported way possible.

How We Lost Touch with Feminine Receiving Energy

Now instead, mothers are initiated into motherhood as the ultimate sacrificial act—survive despite insurmountable circumstances in isolation and show up every day as if nothing has happened while doing three times the work you did prior to becoming a mother, all with minimal to no naturally occurring community and societal support.

No wonder the modern mother feels so guilty, shy, or unable to receive. Modern motherhood more closely aligns with masculine energy: give all you can at all times, and then you will be a good mother, a successful mother. We've disconnected from our feminine receiving energy in favor of constant output.

Rediscovering the Lost Art: What Response Do You Want?

Stepping off that soapbox, let's take a look at this from a different perspective that I hope, instead of enraging you, will help you reconnect with your feminine receiving energy and understand the lost art of receiving so that you may receive more completely and benefit more fully from the act.

For this, I want you to imagine the next time you give a gift to someone. Imagine something delightfully simple but equally heartfelt. What is it? How does it make you feel preparing this gift? Do you wrap it in a special way? Or take time to plan out the details? Or is it more of an on-the-whim kind of gift?

The Three Types of Responses to Gift-Giving

OK, now that you have all the feels, jump ahead to the moment the unsuspecting person receives the gift, and tell me: what do you want their response to be?

A. "Oh my, I couldn't possibly accept this. But thank you."

B. "Oh no, no thank you… (awkward pause) are you sure… (a meek yet subtly grateful gesture)"

C. "You are so thoughtful! How did you ever know this was exactly what I needed right now?"

I don't know about you, but I will always want the reception of my gift giving to be aligned with C. Why? Because they are excited, surprised, grateful, and see the effort and thought that went into the gift.

How Feminine Receiving Energy Transforms Relationships

This is ALWAYS the response we hope for upon giving, and when this type of response happens, it elevates both the giver's and receiver's energetic response to miraculous levels. The whole interaction is a net positive! The effort it took to prepare and give the gift is minuscule compared to the emotional high you both now enjoy.

When you embrace feminine receiving energy, you complete the energetic circle - allowing the giver to experience the full joy of their gift. When the response is A or B, the whole interaction is dulled, diminished, or even made negative. It instantly becomes a bit awkward and embarrassing, and everyone involved just wants the moment to quickly change.

Teaching the Next Generation About Feminine Receiving Energy

This is why I talk to my girls all the time about not just the value of giving, but the power of feminine receiving energy—with gratitude and joy—because when you do, the entire experience is uplifted! The giver feels wonderful, and so do you! There is never any reason to feel guilty or ashamed for embracing your feminine receiving energy.

Back to the story of my daughter being given the necklace. I reminded her in that moment about the lost art of receiving by gently saying to her, "Does this feel heartfelt to you, and if so, how will that make you and her feel?"

Reclaiming the Lost Art in Modern Motherhood

I wish I had understood feminine receiving energy earlier in my mothering journey. I can only imagine how many heartfelt gifts of support, kindness, and care I missed out on because of my pride and drive to be the "I can do it all" kind of mom. I always felt so awkward accepting help and would instead turn it down and/or downplay my need for that kind of support.

Meanwhile, I would go out of my way to give and support others without batting an eye. For goodness sake, I gave a portion of my milk supply to a mother down the street I had just met, yet I wouldn't accept a coffee from my coworker. This disconnection from feminine receiving energy only hurts mothers and all of us as a society.

How to Reconnect with Your Feminine Receiving Energy Today

So the next time you are presented with an unexpected but heartfelt gift, reconnect with your feminine receiving energy by graciously and openheartedly receiving that gift. There will always be a time for you to return the favor, but right now is a time to embrace the lost art of receiving.

Key Takeaways for Reclaiming Feminine Energy:

• Feminine receiving energy is a natural strength, not a weakness

• The lost art of receiving completes the energetic circle between giver and receiver

• Teaching children about feminine receiving energy benefits everyone

• Disconnection from receiving energy hurts mothers and society

• Community support requires balancing both masculine giving and feminine receiving

Share this post if you know a mother who needs to reconnect with her feminine receiving energy!