What is your energy worth? ‘Energy accounting’ for later life

September 4, 2026

I was out on a run with my daughter recently when she mentioned a phrase that immediately caught my attention:

Energy accounting

We were talking about Dr Amantha Imber’s new book, The Energy Game, which Rachel had just read, and how we often think about energy in relation to work, productivity and busy lives.

But as we continued running, I started thinking about how relevant the idea is to later life.

Because while we may have more control over our time as we get older, our energy is still finite. And perhaps learning how to spend it wisely becomes even more important.

As part of my Spring Reset, I’m looking beyond decluttering my home and changing my routines. I’m also taking a closer look at something far more valuable: my energy.

Time Isn’t the Whole Story

For much of our lives, we’ve been focused on managing time. Work, Family, Children, Deadlines, Appointments, To-do lists.

Then we reach a stage where many of those demands change. We may retire or reduce our working hours. The children have grown. We have more freedom to decide how we spend our days.

But having more time doesn’t necessarily mean having unlimited energy. I know for me, if I don’t sleep well or I’ve been trying to fit too much into my days, I feel drained — and life isn’t much fun anymore.

So perhaps instead of only asking:

“What do I have time for?”

we should also ask:

“What do I have the energy for?”

And even better:

“What is worth my energy?”

Thinking About Energy Differently

Amantha Imber’s The Energy Game looks at practical ways to manage and restore our energy, with three simple ideas:

BOOST – REST – PROTECT.

Boost the things that energise you.
Rest so your energy can be restored.
Protect yourself from unnecessary energy drains.

I’ve also been thinking about the work of Australian Tania Dalton, founder of Energised Ageing, who helps women over 50 create an energised life they love.

I love that this conversation isn’t about fighting ageing or pretending we have the energy we had decades ago. It’s about understanding ourselves as we are now and making choices that support the life we want to live.

Think of Your Energy as a Bank Account

I find it helpful to imagine that we wake up each morning with an energy account.

Throughout the day, we make withdrawals. Exercise. Housework. Travel. Appointments. Family commitments. A busy social calendar.

But there are also less obvious withdrawals:

Worry
Overthinking
Constantly being available
Saying yes when we really want to say no
Spending time with people or situations that consistently leave us depleted

Then there are the deposits:

Sleep
Movement
Nature
Laughter
A good conversation
Reading
Music
Yoga
Rest
Time with people who make us feel good

And here’s the important thing:

Not everything that uses energy is bad.

Running takes physical energy, but I often finish a run feeling mentally refreshed.

Travel can be tiring, but the experiences and memories can be incredibly energising.

Spending time with grandchildren can be exhausting — and wonderfully uplifting at the same time.

So energy accounting isn’t about avoiding anything that takes effort.

It’s about becoming more conscious of where our energy goes and what we get back.

What Does This Look Like in Later Life?

For me, it means becoming more selective.

Perhaps we don’t need to accept every invitation. We don’t have to fill every space in our calendar, and we can say “no” without feeling guilty — although I know that’s not always easy.

We can leave room for rest.

For me, Sundays are my rest day. I try not to plan too much, or I make sure I do things that uplift me rather than drain me.

We can also prioritise the things that make us feel alive. That might be exercise, travel, family, friendships, volunteering or learning something new.

Or it could be as simple as enjoying a quiet morning with a cup of coffee and a good book.

There is no right answer.

Your energy account is personal to you.

Try an Energy Audit

For one week, notice your energy rather than simply your activities.

At the end of each day, ask yourself:

What gave me energy today?

What drained me?

What restored me?

What was worth my energy?

And then ask:

What do I want more of?

You may start to notice patterns.

Perhaps something you’ve always done is no longer worth the energy it costs.

Perhaps a person leaves you feeling better every time you see them.

Perhaps you discover that your morning walk gives you far more than physical fitness.

These are useful things to know.

Because our energy is precious, and I want to spend mine on a life I love.

My daughter gave me more than a new phrase on that run. She gave me a question I’m going to keep asking myself:

Where am I spending my energy — and is it helping me create the life I want?

This post was inspired by my conversation with my daughter, Rachel, Amantha Imber’s The Energy Game and the work of Australian Energised Ageing founder Tania Dalton.