Ever wondered if you’re an empath? I heard the term empath so, so many times before I ever thought I might be one. I always knew I was fiercely empathetic, but I figured there needed to be something *extra* to make me an empath—like I needed to possess some sort of magical powers. Probably because empaths are often seen as having psychic abilities, or at the very least strong intuitions that support them in ethereal ways. But it’s all about where you are in your journey to know yourself. We all have intuition. We all have special gifts. Committing to exploring and learning about your empathetic nature is the only way you’ll come to notice these nuances—or natural abilities, that you have within.
Have a hunch that you might be one? See if you relate to these signs you’re an empath.
Signs you’re an empath
You’re highly sensitive
Perhaps you’ve spent most your life being called “too sensitive” and wonder what that *really* means, or maybe you’ve related to the term Highly Sensitive Person ever since you first heard it. No matter how you label it (or how others try to label you), hyper-sensitivity is one sign of being an empath.
So much of being an empath correlates with being a highly sensitive person, but it did take a few years of exploring my HSP ways before I considered I might also be an empath. Personally, I always knew that I was really sensitive to other people’s moods and energies, sometimes even absorbing their emotions, but I didn’t realize that other people are one of the things I’m hyper-sensitive to.
Each of the personality traits of empathy and sensitivity have their own levels and nuances, but they are also each characteristics of one another. You may be the opposite! You may have always known that you are highly empathetic, but soon realize that you’re sensitive in so many other ways.
The news overwhelms you
…on a much deeper level than most, or anyone, you know. We’ve had a very tumultuous past few years as a society, and, well, lots of people are avoiding the news these days. But if you look back to your childhood and remember being disturbed by certain news stories/events, even when they didn’t affect or relate to you at all, this could be because you’re extremely empathetic.
All humans have the ability to empathize, but we empaths have a way of absorbing another’s experience into ourselves. On the flipside, heartwarming and inspirational stories seem to affect us more deeply as well—when someone else feels joy, we have the ability to feel it too. Knowing how news stories affect you is a big sign of whether you’re an empath, whether the story is painful or positive.
You have trouble switching from solo to group activities
I’ve only recently began to understand this part of me. As an introvert and sensitive person, I struggle to go from being alone to socializing. I might have a day all to myself, and even if I miss my partner, I still may feel overwhelmed when he comes home and is ready to chat and catch up. It’s not that I don’t want to see him, it’s just a transition. It took me a while to realize that this wasn’t just because I’m an introvert and like being alone. Again, I may be excited for the upcoming social reunion, yet I struggle with the transition. More than that, it’s because this new energy has come into my presence, and it’s easy to absorb into my own, which is just very different.
I think this is one reason why I’ve never considered myself a “morning person”. It’s not that I hate mornings (I mean, I do prefer sleep to them…), but I’m transitioning from this isolated, personal, unconscious time, to going out and interacting with the world. (My dream life is also very active, so it’s kind of like traveling between two realms in an instant. Need. Time. To. Adjust.)
You often question society and why they don’t think/feel all the things you do.
Yes, all people have things they are passionate about, but empaths feel this not just for certain issues, but it seems, all the issues. There is this universal feeling of empathy that sometimes feels like it cannot contained. “Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders” is the best way I can describe it: You sometimes feel like not only are you the only one to notice or tune into the injustices of society, but feel a strong responsibility to do something about it.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to question the status quo and staying informed helps us grow, but it can definitely be overwhelming.
You feel emotions in your body
If you practice mindfulness or are familiar with the concept of nervous system regulation and self-healing, you know that you don’t have to be an empath to physically feel your emotions in your body. Emotions are stored in the body no matter your personality. You just have to be very self-aware to notice them.
But this goes a step further with empaths, in that we soak up emotions so automatically, that we can feel those energies in others within our own bodies. The term “I feel your pain” is real. For example, a friend might confide in you about anger or sadness they are having, and even though you have nothing to do with it and are simply there to lend an ear, you immediately tense up, feel tightness in your chest, etc. As mentioned above, seeing the news can even at times make you feel physically ill. This is all part of being highly empathetic. Luckily, you can learn to filter out some of these energies, but it takes practice and self care.
Do any of these signs resonate with you? I know a lot of this may feel a bit stressful to endure as an empath, so I’ll have to follow up with a post on boundaries and balance later.
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