If you are an empath, you already know

You know those online quizzes that are really popular nowadays? The ones that tell you if you are an empath or not. Well, I think they are a bit redundant because like most sensitive souls, if you are an empath you already know it.

You soak up others’ moods and desires like a sponge. You absorb sensation the way a paintbrush grasps each colour on a palette. The ethereal beauty of a dandelion, the shift of a season, the climax of a song, or the scent of a certain fragrance can sometimes move you to tears.

Empaths like you and I have always been part of the population, we add more beauty to the human landscape. According to the pioneering work by Elain Aron on the “Highly Sensitive Person”, we make up around 20 percent of the population. I believe that when we talk about empaths, it’s really important to understand that all human beings are quite fragile, and empaths are no more fragile than everyone else—we are just more easily stimulated due to our wiring.

As an empath, or a highly sensitive person, you might have the have the ability to see colours and feel energy the way others hear jet planes. I know I can. The world around us takes on a rich tapestry of immense gorgeousness at almost every turn, which then fuels our imagination. This stimulation can either make us spin with aliveness, or make us head for our bedroom nest to hide under the covers. I never quite know, but if I look after myself, I can be quietly confident each morning when I cross my fingers and hop for the aliveness.

“Aliveness is energy. It’s the juice, the vitality, and the passion that wakes up our cells every morning. It’s what makes us want to dance. It’s the energy that moves a relationship from the status quo to something grander and much more expansive, something that makes our hearts beat faster, our minds and our eyes open wider, than ever before. Everything is of interest to a person who is truly alive, whether it’s a challenge, a loving moment, a bucket of grief, or a glimpse of beauty.” ~ Daphne Rose Kingma

Aliveness is the grandest of all the grand feelings. But because our nervous system is so readily stimulated, the world can often be overwhelming and exhausting to be so flooded with sensation

These are the days we are running to hide under the covers and it’s this over stimulation and discomfort that makes us prone to bolting from uncomfortable situations, relationships, and jobs.  Sometimes our sensitivity makes life extraordinarily painful, and all we want to do is shut down and hide our raw self from the loud chaos that accompanies this earth’s continual rotation.

Continually swimming in an endless sea of sensation can at times be exhausting, regardless of whether it is  beautifully terrible or terribly beautiful, and this is why our deep-rooted need for peace and self-care is essential to support our over the top sensitivity.

Here are some of the things I do to try to preserve energy and maintain my sanity.

Let go of the sludge.

When you take in other people’s energy, you must learn to instantly let go of what I call “the sludge”. If you keep hold of energy that is not yours, it can make you physically sick, especially if it is negative or unstable energy. Learn to recognize what is your energy and emotion and place a protective invisible shield around yourself to block out anything that is not. I surround myself in a white bubble shield of light most mornings and try to remember to strengthen it throughout the day.

Create. 

Empaths and creativity go hand and hand, because our rawness and innate ability to pick up on information and energy that others don’t feel can easily be translated into art and passionate expression. So rescue that fleeting gorgeous moment, then recycle it through your chosen medium. Perhaps you can make your guitar wail, or weave beautiful cloth into wearable clothing or drip powerful words like blood on a page, or capture that perfect light with your camera before you.

Just create, create, then create some more.

Be near or in water.

Water is magical, and one of its many uses is as tool to achieve peace, calm, and balance. Take a drive or a walk to the sea, a lake, or a stream.  If you can, even sit back in your bath or stand under the shower. Let the water invigorate and cleanse you in order to feel clear again.

Find your tribe.

 “There is almost a sensual longing for communion with others that have a larger vision. The immense fulfilment of the friendships between those engaged in furthering the evolution of consciousness has a quality almost impossible to describe.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.

Find us because one, we understand, and two, we can sit beside you and revel at the outstanding beauty and synchronicities all around. Perhaps we’ll share poetry or take hikes together. Maybe we will contemplate life, talk deeply about passion, energy and love. Or maybe we will geek out about games or photo editing applications.

Animals. 

Empaths tend to have a deep connection with animals due to their innate intuition, understanding of energy and compassionate nature.  Animals know and appreciate this, so give yourself permission to spend as much time as possible bonding with your particular animal, because the time spent with animals is never wasted.

Retreat, replenish and rejuvenate. 

Take some time for yourself when your body and mind need it. As an empath, you need to fiercely guard your serenity to protect your open heart and regroup.

Once you have some of these things in place, go and experience this mind-bendingly incredible world.