Empaths are extremely emotionally sensitive individuals. This means that they literally feel and absorb the emotional energy of others.
I think I’m an empath- how do I know for sure?
Some signs that you may be an empath include (but are not limited to):
People often criticize you for being “too sensitive”
You get hit with random emotions during or after being around other people
You can often sense how others are feeling, because you feel it too
Negativity and discourse are unbearable for you
You have a low pain tolerance
You feel your surroundings much more intensely
You are highly intuitive and can often “feel” the solution to a problem
You can feel general energy wherever you go- in a negative place with negative people, the air may feel heavy and thick, like fog. Positive energy may feel like warm sunbeams cascading around you
When others cry, you can’t stop your own tears. When others laugh, it’s infectious for you.
You feel drained after being around negative people for extended periods of time
Okay, I’m an empath for sure. What does this mean for me?
Empaths are naturally very compassionate and considerate individuals, which means that they can benefit from careers such as therapy, social work, addictions counselling, and other jobs that involve empathetic traits. In addition, empaths are notorious for being excellent at divination. Their intuition leads them to feel what is right, and wrong. However, being an empath also comes with downsides, such as energy vampires.
Wait, energy vampires? What does that mean?
These are people (or other beings) that feed off of an empath’s emotional energy. They latch onto you and consistently drain you of positive energy, leaving you feeling empty and negative. They are often manipulative and malicious, however, sometimes they do not intend to harm you. For example, your friend may be going through a super rough time, and you want to support them, but they keep dumping their problems on you, and sucking out your own emotional energy.
How do I know if someone is an energy vampire?
Some signs that you may be dealing with an energy vampire include (but are not limited to):
They have a “poor me” complex
You feel uneasy, tired, afraid or sad around them
They take advantage of your compassion through guilt-tripping
Your stomach churns at the thought of being around them
They are abusive towards you
They lean on you constantly, as if you are a crutch
You feel physically sick, anxious, angry and/or depressed after spending time with them
How can I protect myself?
Cut energy vampires out of your life, if you can. If you can’t, there are other ways to protect yourself (below)
Recharge your energy by taking a walk in nature, holding your crystals, taking a nap- anything that helps you feel better
Have a talk with the vampire- tell them that they need to back off. It is tough to do this, but if you have no other choice, it could help you out.
Practice self care and self love
State positive affirmations- “I am positive”, “I am safe”, “I am protected from negative energy”
Meditate! It is a great way to recharge and gain insight on the issue
Obsidian- to protect and ward negativity
Onyx- to ground, center and cleanse
Malachite- to absorb and release negative energy
Black tourmaline- to banish and bind negativity
Amethyst- to feel calm and safe
Citrine- to invite positive energy into your life
Rose quartz- to amplify good feelings and promote self love
Dandelion- to cleanse the body of repressed negative emotions
Sage- to banish and ward negative energy from your life
Lavender- to restore peace and quiet on a physical, mental, spiritual and emotional level
Hawthorn berry- to shield and protect the self and promote love
Olive- to recharge the body and lessen spiritual fatigue
TL;DR: Being an empath comes with many benefits, but empaths must protect themselves from negative energy, and take time to recharge.
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