The Empath
What is the Empath?
To answer that one should first know how to answer the question: what is an empath?
But the answer to that second question is rather complex. Some would think an empath of that being of the science fiction aspects… that type of empath being someone who can control the emotions of those around them. But most would think of an empath in the supernatural sense… a person who can read the emotions and/or thoughts of another. And the second definition is definitely more true to what the real definition of an empath is.
An empath, in modern literal terms, is anyone who can accurately and consistently sense the moods, emotions, and intentions of another person.
Now i personally chose to include “intentions” in that definition because intention is everything. Intention is whats gets us out of the bed in the morning, its was initiates a conversation, creates a job market and in general, makes people tick. And there is no one more capable of understanding what makes someone tick than an empath.
Now, Being an empath is not a title i carry lightly. You wont see me standing on the street corner and holding a sign saying “Empath Here! Give me all your worst emotions!” because that sounds like even more work than just plain old existing. Being an empath is certainly hard enough, no need flaunting it so everyone knows im extremely, extremely sensitive to their moods. Empathy is not something to flaunt nor is it a particularly impressive skill. Most people can feel empathy towards another person, so what makes them any different from someone who claims the term Empath?
Im a sucker for a sweet analogy, so i ask you to imagine that emotions are pollen. Then I would be the honey bee and the world a field of flowers, all a different variety. The tiny bee tries dutifully to do their job as part of the hive…. Except this bee is profoundly allergic to pollen and can only carry so much at a time.
“Allergic” is actually a rather strong comparison but what else would you call me breaking out in hives whenever someone expresses something emotional serious of which i have no idea how to respond??? Breaking out in hives, scratchiness in the throat, accelerated heart rate and breathing... see? Allergies, Anxiety.... same thing.
Emotions are a natural part of life and making space for other peoples emotions can be tiring but rewarding and is an important step in all relationships to establish trust and emotional intimacy.
But Emotions are also fucking stupid.
They can make no sense and can be wrapped up in other emotions that are disguised by these other emotions… until its a big emotional turducken. Being an empath is feeling that thrice-baked mess of emotions 99.9% of the time and having to deal with the fall out of this hyper awareness.
Being an Empath is chosing to walk to the world with your heart on your sleeve. its a reminder to be vulnerable, be brace, and be a leader in sharing some of the things society would rather us not talk about.
The Empath is a public journal, A blog of sorts, of all the complex emotions of a human being with a very queer perspective. The Empath is a reminder to me to be all of the things that i want to see in the world. Its my vision but most importantly its my perspective... and its a rather queer one.
My name is Boots, i’m a nonbinary wayward soul with more ambitions than trips completed around the sun and i actively seek to understand the human nature and the interpersonal motivations of those around me…
This is a recording of the minutiae of life with all of the context that a very private and vulnerable ego can give.
Welcome to The Empath; a queer perspective.