Am I An Empath?

“Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage, not weakness” – Katherine Henson

Am I An Empath? 

Dear Courageous One, are you an empath?

One of the reasons Courageous Ones have courage is because they’re not afraid of feelings. Lots of people avoid “the feels” because they can be too uncomfortable. In life, it takes courage to face feelings.

Do you identify with being more comfortable in the realm of feelings and emotions than other people you know? Do you naturally understand the feelings and emotions of others? Do people tend to come to you to express their feelings and emotions? Do you easily go beyond sympathizing and go to putting yourself in other people’s shoes? Have you ever been told “you’re too sensitive”?  Do you sometimes feel as though you can practically feel everything?

That has to do with being an empath. If you’re reading this, I think intuitively you already know you’re an empath and you’re searching for info to validate that.

I didn’t always know that I was an empath. Even when everything added up, I still didn’t really believe it. I wondered, ‘is empath a real thing?’ I thought I might be making my experiences up. That was a very long time ago, when I was learning about my true self. So my purpose today is to validate your experience as an empath because the truth of who you are is always within.  

As an empath you can feel on an expansive level.

Empaths have the ability to put on other people’s feelings. What this means is that they have the ability go beyond just relating to other people’s feelings; it’s that they’re actually able to feel the feelings of other people as though they are their own.

Empaths absorb other people’s emotions and they tend to feel those emotions exponentially. For example, if someone else nearby is feeling sadness an empath will pick up on this energy frequency and take it home with them without realizing. Then when they start to feel sad or they feel like they were happy a moment ago and all of a sudden their own energy shifts to sadness, they wonder why.

It may feel uncomfortable not knowing why you’re experiencing a change of mood or energy because it can catch you off guard. Though, once you realize that it’s your super power you’ll be able to more easily get back to feeling yourself again and being grounded.  

The energy of sadness in a space may be subtle but the empath will still pick it up. Being sensitive to their environment, the empath experiences the sad energy at a higher rate and higher frequency. This is because they are highly attuned to energy.

Empaths have a heightened sense of energy.

Being an empath is similar to that black colored fabric we’ve all worn that picks up lint from everywhere and everything. It’s inevitable that they will get overwhelmed by all the “lint” they pick up. Just like the black fabric that needs a lint remover, the empath needs customized tools to clean up their own energy field from the “lint” that’s left on them.  

As for what those customized tools may be, that’ll be for another dedicated separate post!

While it does sound pretty cool to be highly attuned to energy and frequencies, the “side effects” can be not so cool.

Below are some descriptions of the “side effects” which may not sound like the most optimistic part of being an empath to focus on. But I’d like to shine some light on this part because …

…my deepest intention is that you learn about yourself and love and accept yourself as an empath.

Empowered with the wisdom, knowledge and love of your true self, you will take better care of your vital life force energy and experience spiritual well being here and now.  

One of the “side effects” that an empath may experience is being susceptible to exhaustion, drained of their energy and getting physically sick. This tends to happen as a result of being in loud large busy crowds, being around certain types of personalities and energies or certain places.

Take a concert for example. Being an empath, you may opt out of going to concerts all together. If you do decide to go, you need to do mind your own energy to help protect yourself from feeling sick or tired during and afterwards.

There are certain personality types that can make an empath feel nauseous. They include but aren’t limited to very aggressive loud people, an always “on” high-energy personality, overly charming, big personality types. Different personality types make up different energy qualities. Because the empath is highly attuned to energy, these and other types of energy may easily make them feel overwhelmed, over stimulated and even assaulted.

For the most part empaths tip toward the introverted side of the scale. An introvert might be able to relate. Many of the characteristics of an introvert match up with those of an empath. For example, in psychology the theory goes that introverts are easily stimulated and overstimulated. Compared to extroverts, they’re more sensitive to external stimulation and have higher level of arousal, similar to what an empath experiences.

Many empaths are introverts but that doesn’t mean they’re the same thing. The most important difference between an Introvert and Empath is that being introverted is an inherently biological difference in how people react to external stimuli or certain situations. In empaths, it’s their brains’ Mirror Neuron System that is thought to be hyperactive, according to Dr. Judith Orloff, author of the book “The Empath’s Survival Guide”.

Just think hyperactive compassion? The Mirror Neuron System is a specialized group of cells in the brain that are responsible for compassion and empathy. In empaths, it’s thought to be hyperactive hence why an empath can absorb other people’s energies into their bodies.

Because empaths, like introverts, are sensitive to external stimulation they need time alone to help them recharge.

They will tend to feel physically better in smaller groups of people because it lessens energy drain. It’s imperative that an empath spend time alone to regain their centered strength.

Alone time is non-negotiable.

Any activities in nature or outdoors are always good for them.

As an empath, when you’re in nature you easily and quickly replenish yourself through the universal life force energy that’s flowing freely all around.

Getting out, being in nature near trees, flowers, grass, parks, bodies of water etcetera is another non-negotiable.

High energy activities for an empath will often involve new experiences, adventure, travel, spontaneity, the outdoors and nature. These types of high energy activities are life-giving and replenishing to you. These are things that deep down you’d like to do but maybe haven’t because you’re big heart is busy taking care of others.

Give yourself the gift of that big heart! In other words, be compassionate with yourself and practice the kind of care you give to others on yourself, too.

For those who aren’t empaths this stuff may sound dramatic and maybe like something from the New Age or a millennial stresser.

It can be hard to feel heard and understood by those closest to you. But rest assured, I got you! 🙂

No, friends and family, this isn’t just queen drama NOR is it a WEAKNESS. This is the experience of a person who feels the emotions of others. Furthermore, there are some empaths who can feel the â€œemotion” or energy of spaces and places, too. I’m one of those. How about you?

To your loved ones and close friends you may be considered quiet, unconventional, a free spirit or a little bit different. Empaths are unique, therefore it may be harder to understand or relate to them. But this does not go the other way around.

“Can You feel me?”

The ability to feel others but not necessarily be felt by others can be difficult to experience. This can lead an empath to feel alone, misunderstood or out of place. The gift of being highly attuned to other people’s energy can end up feeling like a burden.

You’re an empath, this is why it’s essential to your way of life that you spend time in nature, spend time meditating, spend time creating art, being physically active and consciously sharing your light. It’s in the acts of doing these activities you will be reciprocated regularly with renewed life force energy and grounding. You will be able to find and feel at home.

Finding and feeling at home is an important practice tool. Whenever you feel out of sorts, out of body, out of your emotions and feeling like you’ve been swept by the current of someone else’s stuff, finding your home base within helps to ground and release the energies of others more easily.

The more you feel at home within yourself, no matter where you are or who you’re with, you find home. It’s easier to know which emotions belong to you you and which ones belongs to others. Then you can start to let these feelings just pass through you instead of holding on to them in your body.

So what do you think? Are are you convinced you’re an empath yet?

If you’re still on the fence or if you have any questions about your experience, go to the comments area and share. When we share our life experiences it helps other Courageous Ones like you and me.

Sharing is caring!

And yes 🙂 I can help you determine whether you’re an empath, if you’re still not sure.

For now I leave you with this: Being an empath is not a weakness. It’s one of the magnificent gifts you give to everyone you meet!

Be you & Be true, Courageous One.