Unpopular Opinion: Empaths does not equate to "nice people."
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Everyone is an "empath" nowadays. It's treated as a superpower as well as a coy curse.
There's always a misconception that empathy only dwells in kind people, and they'll never, ever, ever be manipulative to you.
The first statements I experienced -- that usually follows in this topic are:
"I/We have a level of empathy most people don't have. That's us empaths."
"Empaths are always kind and sweet people.""Empaths are always easily taken advantaged of because we're so nice! We always try to see the best in bad people but we get abused so easily!"
"We are natural healers. It's our job to change people for the best!"
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First of all, yikes.
Personally, anyone who brags that they're super empathic are the people I stay away from. I get skeptical when anyone claims they "have a level of empathy most people don't have" aka "I am nicer than most people" aka "I'm a nice guy/girl."
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An empath is supposedly someone who feels and understands other people's emotions. They can read the room and react to the environment or to the person accordingly.
NOW, this does not mean they care more, or are better than the average person. Ever heard of "dark empaths?" There are plenty of empaths out there whom exist that can cognitively sense or catch your emotions, but they can use your emotions against you to their advantage.
A lot of empaths I met claim they can feel through other people's emotions and state that this automatically makes them nicer people than most, but then they push other people’s feelings aside for their own selfish needs. They also know how you feel and what you want, which considers them one of the most dangerous people you'll meet.
I feel it's the same perception for those who are radically into "love and light" but then utilize toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing.
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..Another gross stereotype that these proclaimed empaths like to say is that they are prone to be pushed around, and be strung along into bad relationships because they want to change someone, or because they're "too nice."
I think that's a toxic expectation to expect from genuinely nice people to be naturally taken advantaged of.
I find genuine nice, empathetic people set firm boundaries and know when to say no and set a lot of time to themselves, because they also wouldn't want people to go through bad experiences themselves and understand the importance of being protective of your own energy and space.
A kind, empathic person would not boast about how nice they are. They just are. They shouldn't feel the need to be better than most people either.
Additionally, genuinely nice, empathic people shouldn't feel the need to change people, but just hand them the tools they think it's helpful then leave them alone to their own devices.
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So, being an "empath" doesn't mean that person is kinder than the average person.
Being an "empath" doesn't mean you have to compromise yourself for the sake of others, disregarding your own time and needs.
I'm not trying to preach about what takes a genuinely nice person to be nice. This girl's just tired of hearing harmful things that comes with the topic revolving around "empaths."