Holding Space for Your Empathic Traits

We’ve heard a lot about highly sensitive people, recently. Have you ever wondered why you may be what others may consider “overly sensitive” Do you give yourself a hard time for being sensitive? There are positive aspects of being sensitive and understanding why we are sensitive and how to support this can help us feel better about our sensitivity and ourselves. Empaths share many traits with HSA’s, and they have other traits that make them unique, as well. Do you relate to these empathic traits?

You Are Highly Intuitive

As an empath, your perception of the world relies largely on intuition, with gut feelings informing both your big and small decisions. If you sense insincerity or untrustworthiness in a person, it’s almost impossible to ignore. This generally becomes either a relationship deal-breaker or, at the very least, a source of great social and emotional pain. Your intuitive approach to life can also inform your career choices. For example, if you don’t feel like your current job reflects your true or nature or passions, you may find it hard to invest in your work.

You Find Social Events Overwhelming

You often have mood swings that surprise even you, since you unconsciously pick up on negative or difficult emotions from those around you. In a large group or at an event, the sheer number of feelings and stresses circulating around can feel like you’re being bombarded emotionally. As an empath, it’s best, when possible, to stick to social situations where you know some people already, so you have a reliable source of social and emotional stability in a sea of unpredictable energy. It is also helpful to connect to nature and spirituality in these moments and feel your own “personal space bubble” around you to create a boundary from too much stimulation.

You Need Alone Time to Be Healthy

While “down-time” is often perceived as only needed by introverts, empaths need social breaks no matter their personality—introvert, extrovert, or ambivert. Thanks to your uncanny ability to pull emotional energy from people around you, you can easily end up exhausted, emotionally and, sometimes, even physically. Prioritizing alone time should be essential element of your self-care. It offers both a breather from the stresses of those around you, and a chance to reflect on your own needs. Without time away from others, you can easily end up neglecting yourself and feeling fatigued.

People Tell You Personal Things

You are a naturally good listener, and possess an almost uncanny ability to make people comfortable enough to share intimate pieces of their lives. This happens not only in your close friendships, but even with people whom you’ve only just met.It can be hard for you to recognize this ability as the rare gift that it is, however, because you are so in-demand as a confidante that you can easily become overwhelmed. Just like the safety card on an airplane instructs, you should always be mindful of taking care of yourself before helping those around you—otherwise, you may soon find it difficult to breathe.

You Avoid Conflict Whenever Possible

You tend to be peacemakers in groups, since you tend to absorb tension from conflicts around you, emotionally, and sometimes physically. You may find yourself bending over backwards to keep friends from frustration, since you have trouble feeling happy unless those around you are also content. As an empath, your accommodating tendencies can endear you to others, but those endearments can also become unhealthy if left unchecked. While you may truly have no preference on where the group goes to eat lunch, constant defaulting to the wishes of others can lead to buried frustration and feeling unheard. In the quest to find the quickest resolution to conflicts, empaths often opt to be pushovers rather than advocating for themselves, which can you lead to the same unhealthy place.

Being an empath can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Understanding how to mindfully navigate your relationships and experience can help you support your gift and yourself. We would love to hear from you, if you would like a 15 minute phone consult call us at 860-258-4171 or email us here.