Are you an Empath ?
Here are some signs that you are an Empath
A very simple straight forward definition is that an Empath is someone who is overflowing with empathy for their surroundings. They are highly sensitive beings who have the ability to absorb energy from people, places, things, plants, and animals.
I am an empath. But until 5 years back, I never knew there was a word to define why I am the way I am. While others often think I’m hyper sensitive , introverted , aloof , etc., I always thought of myself as a complete misfit wherever I went. Knowing that I was an empath changed the way I operated in the world a lot. Here are some signs that can help you know if you are an Empath too.
You take on other peoples’ energies as your own
This is a classic trait. Empaths not only feel the emotions of others. They “absorb” them. This means that they truly experience them, taking them on as if they were their own. They tend to absorb thoughts , emotions and physical symptoms in case of any physical illnesses from their surroundings.
Some only feel the emotions of those who they feel connected with, while others feel and sense other people’s emotions regardless of the physical distance between them. Highly attuned Empaths can even sense when someone holds negative thoughts, or is saying negative things about them. Regardless of distance.
You are bad at setting boundaries. Because of this , you attract energy vampires or narcissists.
Empaths often have problem setting boundaries as they take on people’s energies as their own. They don’t know where their feelings end and others begins. Having boundaries can make them feel extremely guilty as they don’t know how not to care. This makes them attract energy vampires, or people who feed on an empath’s ability to listen and be compassionate.
An empath’s sensitivity makes them particularly easy marks for energy vampires. Vampires do more than drain an empath’s physical energy. The especially dangerous ones such as narcissists can make them believe they’re unworthy and unlovable. Other vampires include The Victim, The Chronic Talker, The Drama Queen and more. For many empaths, unconsciously absorbing all that energy into our physical bodies creates a need for a barrier of protection. Many empaths tend to put on weight as a way of self protection as a result.
You are known to be introverted or aloof
Empaths may find themselves easily fatigued with overload of emotions. So they tend to take off from their surroundings just to recharge. Even an overload of positive feelings might exhaust them, so it’s important to take the time they need to strike the right balance between spending time with others and restoring their emotional reserves.
Needing time alone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re an introvert. Empaths can also be extroverts, or fall anywhere on the spectrum. Maybe people energise you — until you reach that point of overwhelm.
You don’t like crowded places. They exhaust you easily
Empaths can absorb positive and negative energy just by being in someone’s presence. In crowded or busy places, this sensitivity may seem magnified to the point of being almost unbearable even if you are not conscious of it.
When you’re picking up on negative emotions, energy, or even physical distress from people around you, you might become emotionally overwhelmed or physically unwell. As a result, you may feel most comfortable on your own or in the company of just a few people at a time.
You may often feel like you don’t fit in
Despite being highly attuned to the feelings of others, many empaths find it difficult to relate to others. Others might not understand why you become exhausted and stressed so quickly. You might struggle to understand the emotions and feelings you absorb or feel like you aren’t “normal”. This may lead you to become more private. You might avoid talking about your sensitivities and sharing your intuitions so you feel less out of place.
You are a natural healer and people tend to share their problems with you
Empaths make great listeners. Many empaths unconsciously practice deep listening where they can not just listen to the words but can see through and can have a very non judgemental conversation. This quality is very healing for others and even for the empaths.
Empaths hate to see others in emotional distress. They always take the role of protector. It does not matter who the other person is, or their relationship to them. Empaths will offer compassion, love and caring attention to anyone suffering with emotional pain.
You absolutely love spending time in nature
Empaths have a deep connection with nature. They love to spend time outdoors. When lost in nature they are able to feel their own emotions and develop a sense of peace.
Empaths love water sources. Be it rain, a pool, the ocean, or a just a simple bath, empaths are drawn to water. You find water relaxing and cleansing, and you may even feel comforted by water.
It is not one of these traits but all of these fundamental traits that makes you an empath. Though there are many other qualities of an empath, these are the fundamental ones that gets deeper as and how we heal.
“As empaths, our high level of sensitivity means that we are prone to feeling like eternal outsiders who are in the world but not quite of the world.”
― Aletheia Luna, Awakened Empath: The Ultimate Guide to Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual Healing
