Are you an empath?
I was shy and insecure as a child, and as an adult, I felt more comfort in one on one conversations. I rarely felt comfortable in large groups. The dynamics of large groups challenged me. I was sensitive and easily felt left out. Also, I recognized the first time I felt collective grief, when Princess Diana passed. I did not follow her closely, but was stricken by intense grief at the time. Merriam-Webster defines empath as “one who experiences the emotions of others, a person who has empathy for others.” If only I had heard the word empath earlier in my life, it would have saved me some grief. Does any of this resonate with you?
As part of my spiritual growth over the past several years this was one profound realization that changed my life. Awareness of something starts the incremental change in behavior. I also found myself transitioning out of relationships that were not helping me reach my potential.
Dr. Judith Orloff author of The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People, https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-an-empath states “empaths have a higher sensitivity to outside stimuli such as sounds, big personalities, and hectic environments. They bring a lot of heart and care to the world and feel things very deeply.”
A few of the common signs of being an empath include:
Experience a lot of empathy
Closeness and intimacy can overwhelm you
Have good intuition
Take comfort in nature
Don’t feel well in crowded places
Have a hard time not caring
Have a sensitivity to sounds, smells or sensations
Need ample time to recharge
Resist conflict
Often feel like you don’t fit in
Tendency to isolate
Have a hard time setting boundaries
Understanding the complexities of how we all relate and function in the world can make a major impact toward self improvement - self love and happiness.
Joshua Tree National Park 2020