If you are not sure what I'm talking about google it. Basically empaths are people who feel things very deeply, pick up on negative energy 5 min. after entering a room, get physically ill when confronted with nasty, angry people, usually love animals, are nurturers etc., etc. I suspect there are a lot of you out there cause you probably would not be care givers if you weren't. I'm interested in how you cope with this, get through life unscathed, handle your relationships. Please share.
I've been in a snit fit all weekend. I was tempted to take something to help me sleep and stay in bed till tomorrow.
Here are some of my traits : I am extremely logical and a problem solver (even in my profession), I do not do BS .. I can see through it immediately and know when someone is not truthful or genuine, I am an animal lover, being around other people for too long drains me of energy so I prefer to be alone a lot, It is hard for me to see others pain or misfortune, I am the person people turn to because I am a good listener and care about their problems, I worry about others all the time..even the people on this forum I will think about a post I read and wonder how they are doing and even want to help them in some way. .
Hmmm.. it makes sense. I am continually frustrated when others don't see and feel the things that I do or who do not reciprocate the caring/listening/empathy .
When I read your question, the first words out of my mouth were "My instincts of self-preservation are too strong. No way I could be so masochistic as to take on someone else's baggage."
The reason for this kind of thinking is that although I do have a lot of the characteristics of an empath (e.g., picking up negative energy instantly and seeing right through people), I'm yet to learn how to effectively cope or block out a lot of the toxic energy around me. In a nutshell, how to protect myself that will compromise my personal balance.
Your question was a wake up call. Thanks for asking it.
You can't take on the world's problems. I was just saying to hubby today that everybody doesn't have to go to Africa and feel hungry children. You can do good right where you are. H3ll, there are homeless folks living right outside my door.
So true about character being what you do when no one is watching.
Captain I don't make eye contact with people as much anymore cause yes, there are a lot of crazy people out there but having said that I think people get put into my path a lot of times for a good reason and if I can help them just by smiling or what have you I will. That doesn't require a lifetime commitment on my part.
I can sniff out an addict, user, abuser, pervert, scammer or con-artist long before "everyone else" figures it out. Because of this, my insights are unpopular with the Pollyannas, sheeple and otherwise unrealistic people in my life.
My "gift" cuts both ways. I'm also tuned-in to genuine, caring souls who make our world a better place. Unfortunately, they are outnumbered.
Sometimes, you can help from behind the scenes. No one even has to know about it. What is that saying? True character is the way you behave when no one is watching.....
so , no . i dont feel hypersensitive anymore ..
I've wondered for a long time how other people don't sense things the way I do. Some of my best friends ask my opinion about matters and tell me they are confident that I likely have picked up on hidden feelings and intentions and what I think about them, because, I'm usually right.
I now see it as normal. I think it affords me the opportunity to do a lot for others though. To whom much is given, much is required. That's how I see it.
I'm very shy inside. Outwardly I'm friendly, but inside I am pulled back. That may be true of a lot of overly sensitive people. It may be the result of growing up in a cruel dysfunctional environment. Gotta keep yourself tucked inside your fort.
My dear Mom used to call them arrow prayers. Like you are shooting an arrow of love at someone so to speak except they are not cupids arrows. They are God's arrows.