“As much as we notice, consciously or subconsciously, there are some things you’ll notice about us too.”
I remember an instance when I rang the cable company to ask about upgrading my service. After some time had passed, the man I was speaking to had basically poured his heart out about his wife’s battle with cancer. I never found the information I was looking for, but it wasn’t that important any longer. I had given someone comfort and reassurance- even if they had no idea why they felt the need to tell me this stuff in the first place.
A very similar situation happened when I was out at a restaurant with my niece. I ordered my drink and the next thing I knew, our waiter was asking me how to handle leaving their spouse. There are countless stories like this for me, but I want to know how many you have.
Marshall Rosenberg, the author of Non-Violent Communication, defines empathy as this:
“In empathy, you don’t speak at all. You speak with the eyes. You speak with the body. If you say any words at all, it’s because you are not sure you are with the person. So you may say some words. But the words are not empathy. Empathy is when the other person feels the connection to with what’s alive in you.”
With empaths, as much as we notice, consciously or subconsciously, you’ll notice a few things about us too.
15 Things You’ll Notice When You’re Around an Empath
1. We are accused of being “too sensitive” or “too emotional.”
Empaths are not “too” anything. They feel things deeply- both positive and negative. They are in touch with their emotions, and yours. Though it might be harder for an empath to operate in a world designed for less-sensitive people, being an empath has several positive aspects.
2. We can’t stand being lied to.
All it takes is a simple glance in your direction to know you are lying to us. A lot of people don’t realize this, but being lied to really sucks for an empath. We feel it ooze into every aspect of the relationship…and it usually ends them.
3. Negative media images directly affect us.
It’s hard, almost impossible, for an empath to “feel” something. We avoid the news, and if we see something upsetting, our emotions are a mess for quite a while. Imagine feeling overwhelming sadness and suffering every single time you saw something violent or upsetting on the news. That’s what it is like for us.
4. Crowded places overwhelm us.
Empaths exist in all personality types, including introvert and extrovert, but even the outgoing ones are easily overwhelmed by crowds. The sheer force of energies and feelings you absorb is exhausting. You might like going to concerts and sporting events, but once there, you can’t wait to leave.
5. We love to heal.
Empaths want what is best for you and your wellbeing. Of course, as with all of our advice, it is only helpful if you actually implement it in your life.
6. We are sensitive to stimulants and medications.
Coffee, certain teas, energy drinks, soda- anything with caffeine makes us more anxious and agitated than the rest of the world. And, when it comes to medications, we try to avoid them as much as possible because of the myriad of side effects we experience.
7. We can only be us.
As far as honest people go, empaths are the truest friends you could ask for. We know who we are and we embrace it fully. It’s other people who seem to have an issue with our sensitive nature and honest attitude.
8. We experience what you are experiencing.
If someone we are close to is ill, depressed, or agitated, we display those same symptoms. We are so connected to what you are going through, that we go through it with you.
9. We don’t like animals, we LOVE animals.
Empaths don’t have pets, we have family members. When we see an animal in the wild, we see a soul…perfect and pure. We talk to them in various ways just as you would your best friend, and guess what…they talk back.
10. Tired, exhausted, and fatigued is normal for us.
Because we absorb so much from others, we don’t just deal with our own emotional and mental drains, we deal with everybody.
11. If we give advice, take it.
If we take the time to listen to your dilemma and give you heartfelt advice, just listen to it. We know what we are talking about and if you ask for our advice and ignore it, well, let’s just say it kinda annoys us to no end.
12. We are easily distracted.
Perhaps it is due to our heightened sensitivity to everything around us, but empaths are easily distracted and tend to lose focus. It’s not a bad thing, we are simply enjoying all the small things you might not notice.
13. We can’t stand narcissism.
If you are head over heels in love with your reflection, your money, and your ego- just stay away. We really can’t roll our eyes any harder.
14. Certain sounds really bother us.
But it does not just sound. Certain textures, fabrics, bright lights and loud noises can really get to us. The polar opposite is true as well. Soft sounds, gentle caresses, and delicate tastes are also highly noticed, but in a pleasant way.
15. We are great listeners.
It’s true. You can tell us anything and everything about your life and we will listen. We will take that journey with you and experience all the highs and lows contained within. And what’s even better, is that we hold no judgment over what you tell us. We are there to help you, not to hurt you.
Credits: mystical raven
Sam Everhart
What are the scientific proof for these or even theories? Cause this whole “empath” thing sounds psuedoscientific..
I am definitely an empath and anyone who’s around me for any length of time will tell you the same.
mmm
This is a perfect description of me. I spend (and enjoy) a great deal of time by myself because other people’s energy overwhelms me. I recently had a contractor from our local gas company tell me about his son’s battle with seizures and hopes for getting a driver’s license while I was signing some paperwork. It’s just normal for me. I’ve known that I feel other’s physical pain since I was 6. It took much longer for me to realize I was feeling their emotional pain as well.
Technically it’s probably brain chemistry. In other words, my brain’s electrical system is probably functioning in a different way than someone who is not an empath. On a Kiersey temperament test, I am a combination of traits found in less than 1 percent of the population. I have tested that way for at least 20 years,
😉
Yes, more serotonin and yada yada, but I doubt “empath” is any scientific term. Maybe they are little more empathic but its not like a class in roleplaying games like “mage” or “warlock”.
Very true about empaths including myself.. I do like to help people.
Wow ! I thought I might be a bit empathic but every one of those descriptions fit me like a glove . Makes so much sense now , I’m not strange and over sensitive to everything . thanks
Not easy to be an empath in this world full of hypocrites, looks like people is not ready for it , just few ones really see this amazing gift and they apperciate a ton.I do have few empaths around and I can say I am lucky to have them too.
Tony Drążek
Funny there is a large element of truth in
Omg, me
#10 can be corrected for, the rest seems accurate. However, empaths know fellow empaths upon ‘presence’.
Rashida IX Rose
Empathy must build each other when together,
Two positive empaths can change a lot in the world around them.
It turned out to be gas !
the word empathy should not be used as the same way this topic is referring to an Empath. Everyone should have empathy – a lack of it it is a not so good personality trait to have. Many people suffering schizophrenia lack empathy , meaning they are not able to relate to another persons feelings. People with a higher self awareness with generally have more empathy towards others. Some suffering manic episodes can have WAY too much empathy and need to be very very careful not to accidentally take on EXACTLY what another person is feeling and behave as that person.
it is exhausting. this is something that you are born with. my daughter inherited it also. she decided she did not want it, haha. as if you can decide not to do it anymore she has tried to keep it out of her life but has found that people end up blabbing, for lack of a more inclusive word, to her no matter what she does. NO MATTER where I go or what i’m doing someone is ALWAYS in need of an empathetic ear. most people apologize and say “i don’t know why i’m blurting all this out. you must be my angel because your timing is perfect”. Over the years I’ve learned Empathy is a good thing not a bad thing. we are not deliberately being over sensitive or over emotional. Shame on those family members who labeled us as children as being overly sensitive and overly emotional. mine went further with ”a problem child that is nothing but trouble”. any empaths that need an understanding ear my name is here and i’m on facebook. I can never find anyone that really understands, and we all NEED someone to talk to that can relate.
in