Empath

Empaths are often labelled as being overly sensitive, emotional and anxious. But being an empath can actually be your super power. For instance you maybe naturally intuitive, a good listener and sometimes you can gain a deeper perspective than most. 

The name empath was given by psychologists to describe “highly sensitive individuals” as  they have the natural ability to sense, feel and understand what others are thinking. 

My own journey into discovering my empath abilities led me to understand how to use this as my gift. When I see clients for readings or for energy work I can naturally sense their emotions, what support their needing and be able to go much deeper than most into clearing blocks. 

In this blog I will be uncovering some of the main signs of being an empath and how to use this as your gift. 

 

1. You have a deeper understanding of emotions than most

An Empath can feel their emotions deeply which means they can easily be hurt by the words or actions of others. Being vulnerable can be difficult for some empaths because they sometimes feel they are carrying an open wound all the time. Needing to protect their heart feels imperative so many can shut down for this reason. 

If this resonates with you you may need to learn how to ground your energy so your not so stuck in the emotional overwhelm of it all. When emotions feel like they are getting too much move out of your head. Do some form of exercise, watch a good movie that makes you laugh, get out in nature. Moving your body can help clear any stuck emotions, allowing you to not have to sit with them for too long. 

 

2. You feel naturally intune to nature

The quiet of nature can really help an empath clear their energy and make them feel more grounded. I used to live in a top floor flat and I remember struggling so much being constantly away from my natural surroundings. As a child I used to love being out in the woods, watching wildlife and just feeling like I was a part of it all. 

As an adult we sometimes forget how important nature is and in doing so we can lose that connection to ourselves. Learn to take longer walks or just if your out walking focus on being mindful in that moment. Notice the sounds around you and see the natural world as an important form of therapy. 

3. Enjoy spending time alone

Places with lots of people can be overwhelming for an empath because they can pick up on the emotions and energy of those around them. This can cause feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion as empaths need more time alone to process their own emotions as well as the world around them. They can literally feel like they have the world on their shoulders and its exhausting. 

This means having to have clearer boundaries as you need to learn to say no to things, whether that be a work event, a shopping trip or going out to bars. That doesn’t mean you should say no all the time but just make sure your not doing it to please others. When an empath is out in a busy place socialising they need sometime to compress which is imperative as many empaths can easily suffer from burnout. 

4. You are a great listener and healer

Empaths can naturally fall into the role of being a coach, counsellor or healer because they are such great listeners. They can tune into the emotions and energy behind someones words, providing a deep understanding of what that person needs. But empaths need to also watch that they don’t take responsibility of someone else’s problem. 

They want to help so much that sometimes they feel responsible for that persons happiness in some way. This can mean empaths often play the role of “saviour” in relationships that can then create toxic patterns for themselves and their partner. In order to avoid this empaths need to learn that everyone has responsibility for their own life’s happiness and that it is not up to them to save everyone. From personal experience this can be a difficult lesson and it took me quite a long time to let go of trying to get people to change when they were not willing to do the work. 

 

5. Your naturally intuitive

Empaths have this natural gut instinct whether something feels right or off to them. This is truly an superpower as I thought everyone had this. Intuition is something that can be learned though and it’s all about trusting that niggling feeling in your heart or stomach. Have more faith in your instincts as they will be spot on. 

Know your own mind and what feels right for you. Examples of this can be when you meet someone new and you just have this feeling that something feels off about them. Like their words are not matching the energy that they are giving out. Being an intuitive can really help you to navigate an often chaotic and random world. 

 

Empath Test

Below is a simple yes/no questionnaire created by Dr. Judith Orloff, author of The Empath’s Survival Guide. If you answer yes to more than 3 of the questions below chances are you’re an empath. 

  • Have I been labeled as “too emotional” or overly sensitive?
  • If a friend is distraught, do I start feeling it, too?
  • Are my feelings easily hurt?
  • Am I emotionally drained by crowds and require time alone to revive?
  • Do my nerves get frayed by noise, smells or excessive talk?
  • Do I prefer taking my own car places so that I can leave when I please?
  • Do I overeat to cope with emotional stress?
  • Am I afraid of becoming engulfed by intimate relationships?

Other things to ask yourself include:

  • Do I feel refreshed after being alone?
  • Do I notice little changes in people that others miss?
  • Do I get freaked out by too much intimacy, and fear rejection and ending relationships?
  • Do I sometimes take on the physical sensations of others, such as sicknesses and pain, in addition to their emotions?

 

How To Use Your Empath Powers

Set Clear Boundaries

As an empath you need to learn how to say no to things that don’t feel right. Respect yourself and your energy. Make sure to have daily time in your schedule for self care in order to recharge yourself and know when your feeling drained. 

Learn To Meditate 

Learning to meditation has been an absolute life-saver for me. I suffer from anxiety which is part of being an empath sometimes and for me meditation helps give me that much needed breathing space to sort through my emotions. Try and aim to meditate for 30 mins a day so that you can really notice the benefits. 

Learn That Self Care Is Self Love
 

Many empaths can feel guilty for feeling like they need more time to recharge than most but self care should not be a guilty pleasure. It is imperative. And self care encompasses a whole idea. Not just bubble baths and wine. It can mean taking time outdoors, reading, listening to a favourite podcast, energy healing. Whatever feels good to you and makes you feel better in mind,  body and spirit, then that is self care. You need to aim to do at least 1 or 2 things on your self care list a day so that it becomes part of your normal routine. 

Soul Coaching

Thankyou For Reading

Joanna is a Spiritual Life Coach, Master Reiki Teacher and Healer and Angel Teacher. She teaches online workshops, classes and courses as well as readings for lightworkers and starseeds. If you would like to learn more please follow on Social Media below.


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