So many people today identify as empaths. In the broadest sense, empaths are people who are aware of other peoples’ emotions and energies. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
Life as an empath does not have to be difficult. I say that because commonly the term is defined in ways that are not positive: “An empath is someone who is affected by other peoples’ emotions” or “An empath takes on the emotions and energy of those around them.” These explanations inform an important discussion about empaths that is often overlooked.
What does an empath need to know to feel safe and secure out in the world? Here’s my list of 4 things an empath should know.
1. Energetic protection is a must.
Often, empaths pick up whatever energetic junk is lying around in the world. Energy is sticky and lingering, so when you walk into a space where people were just arguing you may pick up that rage and attack energies that stay in that space. If you have protected yourself, these energies will not attach to you. You may still be aware of the energy, but it will not overwhelm you. To protect yourself, see yourself wrapped in a bubble of white light or perhaps in the centre of a white funnel cloud (seeing the Tasmanian Devil’s tornado is my preferred method) works for you. Whatever visualization makes sense to you, see it moving, and see it all around you.
2. Compassion is your friend.
If you engage with people who are emotionally charged (like they’re angry, or sad, frustrated or anxious, and so on), it is possible to listen to them and be present to witness their story and not take on whatever emotions they are expressing. It means staying in your lane, where you love them. It means commenting affirmatively, saying things like “That must be so hard for you” or “I can see how you got so upset.” Avoid the temptation to share your stories or commiserate with them because the moment you do that, you bring that energy into yourself. Do not allow yourself to become defensive during the interaction, either; see their words and emotions rolling over and off you like water. Be compassionate for their experience, not empathetic. You do not need to put yourself in their shoes to support them in their time of trial.
3. The synapses that fire for anxiety are the same as those that fire for excitement.
It’s super common for empaths to deal with anxiety. The reasons for this are many, a big one of which is that it’s a feeling you are used to. I do not mean you are comfortable with it; anxiety is the most uncomfortable experience I’ve ever had. I mean it’s a process that we can to a large extent predict. We feel nervous, we ask ourselves why, we don’t know, which makes us anxious now, we start breathing shallowly, and now we are in anxiety and we stop what we are doing and retreat to our home or our car or wherever our safe place is. Do you see what I mean? We can interrupt this program by simply asking ourselves, “How can I be excited about this?” Try it next time and see if it doesn’t stop your process in its tracks.
4. You are in control.
The overarching truth of life as I see it is this: Life is always happening for you. Embrace this truth, so that you can stop feeling like a hapless victim of circumstance. Embrace the reality that as an energetic being you are a powerful creator of your experience. Doing this allows you to have control over what energies you perceive and what emotions you collect from others. Combine this wisdom with your energetic protection, and watch the happiness and joy begin to ripple out from you.
My life as an empath has been beautiful, joyful, and deeply fulfilling, once I knew what I was experiencing and how to control the flow of information. This vantage point is available for all of us! It’s time for you to believe that, too.
Michelle
P.S. We just opened the doors to Ignite Your Intuition, an online certification program where you will hone and develop your intuition — including your protections and understandings of what’s going on with you — within the comfort of your own home. This will be the last time I offer this program in 2018, so be sure to snap up your spot before the doors close on November 27!
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