The Joys and Challenges of Being an Empath

Are you an EMPATH?

You easily sense what others are feeling.

You prefer harmony and conflict-free environments.

You have strong intuition.

You are a supportive and sensitive friend.

You prefer intimate gatherings over large crowds.

People confide in you easily.

You are sensitive to sounds, lights, smells, or textures.

What is wonderful about being an EMPATH:

You sense important things that others might miss, like noticing when a friend is quietly struggling.

You feel things deeply, so joy, love and fun can be felt in big ways.

You develop close, loyal friendships because people trust you.

Your empathic superpowers guide your decisions, often helping you to avoid negative experiences.

You offer care to the world; maybe you even work in a helping profession.

Your EQ is very high, allowing you to deftly interact with those around you.

People trust you and may even rely on you.

What is challenging about being an EMPATH:

You may have a hard time distinguishing what others are feeling from what you are feeling.

You may get entangled in others’ emotions and feel easily overwhelmed.

You may ignore your own needs and feelings because you are busy taking care of others.

Our current world state, with so much conflict and division, may depress and overwhelm you.

You may be vulnerable to narcissists who want to use your empathy to serve their own needs.

You may struggle with crowds and intense environments.

You need more alone time than others to stay centered and connected to yourself.

Things that I have had to learn – and am still learning – as an EMPATH:

• It is okay if it takes me longer than others to recover from intense experiences. I feel these experiences more deeply than most, so the impacts on me are greater.

• I must limit my exposure to difficult, toxic people because they greatly impact my psychological well-being.

• I prefer harmonious, gentle interactions, but I have learned the importance of strong, clear boundaries to keep me feeling protected.

• Just because I can feel someone else’s pain or hurt, it is not my job to help everyone. People are responsible for their own well-being.

• I MUST focus on myself, my needs, and my emotions, prioritizing self-care as a way of life. To do this, I have learned ways to tend to myself.

• While alone time nourishes my soul, positive interactions with others also nourish me (take away: don’t isolate from the world).

• I can be empathic and strong, saying no to people and experiences that drain me.

• As I take care of myself and have good boundaries in my world, my empathy and intuition grow because it is safe to feel and sense.

• It’s okay if I need the lights dimmer, the music lower, or the fabric softer than others.