Here are 10 Characteristics of an Empath for your Consideration

I didn’t realize until relatively recently that there was an actual label for the following characteristics.
I had just always assumed that everybody else basically felt these things on some level, but once again I’ve been reminded that I’m not normal.

1. Do people often tell you that you’re too sensitive?

Yes, and by “often” I mean my entire life.
“You need to toughen up”
“You need to grow a thicker skin”
This has caused me to feel misunderstood and isolated at times.
I can also come across as cold and uncaring because of walls that I put up to protect myself from the pain of feeling too deeply.
I’m like a sponge soaking up feelings and energy and there’s only so much I can absorb before I feel like I’m drowning.

2. Do you easily pick up on other’s feelings?

I can sense how someone is feeling just by looking into their eyes and reading their non-verbal communication.
They might as well be wearing a sign that says how they feel.
But really, can’t everyone do this?
I guess it’s a handy skill to have as far as knowing if it’s a good time to talk to someone about something important or if perhaps it is best to run in the opposite direction.

3. Can you feel the energy of a room when you walk in?

Do you ever walk into a room and it feels cold and uncomfortable?
This is one of the reasons that I had to stop traveling to people’s homes to give piano lessons.
Too many unhappy environments filled with negativity.
I can sense the underlying pain that you are trying to cover up with your mask of smiles.

4. Does negative energy from other people sometimes cause you to feel physically ill? Do you sometimes take on other’s emotions or even physical symptoms?

If someone that I care about is feeling emotional pain I can feel it and it becomes my emotional pain. There is no separation, no detachment. In a way it feels worse than my own pain because I can’t control it. There is no escape, I have now absorbed your pain and there is no relief until you decide to feel better.
This feeling of absorbing negative energy often presents itself as physical symptoms of headaches, nausea, or anxiety.
Or maybe I’ve just done too much acid?

5. Does being in large crowds cause you to feel overwhelmed?

Yes…..yes it does.
I have issues people.
Honestly, I don’t really like to leave my house at all.
I can handle the energy from the husband and the 5 cats.
Being out in public is irritating at best and panic attack inducing at its worst.
Too many conflicting and overwhelming energies out in the real world.

6. Do people tell you that they feel calm around you and tend to tell you very personal things…..even strangers?

I hear it all from the clerk at 7-11 to the woman standing next to me in line at the grocery store.
Co-workers tell me all their problems and I can’t get to my next lesson on time because my student’s mother is busy telling me about the fight she had with her neighbor.
It’s emotionally draining and probably why I don’t ever want to leave the house.
But, it’s nice to know that people feel relaxed and calm around me even though I’m a ball of frenzied anxiety on the inside.

7. Do you tend to have a strong intuition and just “know” things without having to be told?

Most monumental tragedies that have occurred in my life have been preceded by anxiety attacks prior to receiving the information of said tragedy.

8. Are you creative, imaginative, introverted, and crave solitude?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

9. Do you have lots of animal friends? Are animals that are normally shy around others calm and relaxed around you?

I prefer animal friends.
They are easy to talk to, cute, and fluffy.
I once opened my door to see a feral cat sitting on the porch with 5 of her baby kittens.
This is not normal.
I had seen this feral cat a few times in the backyard and I said hello in my special kitty voice.
Apparently she decided that she wanted me to help with her babies.
I fed them, got them spayed/neutered and eventually got them all adopted.
I have more animal stories, but I’ll save these for another time.

10. Are you a highly sensitive person: sensitive to bright lights, loud sounds, and rough fabrics?

Loud Noises: check
The sound of the TV gives me anxiety, especially crowd noises.
This is a slight problem because the husband likes to watch sports.

Bright lights: check
Brightness is indeed a problem as I prefer living in darkness like a vampire.

Rough fabrics: check
Harsh fabrics are annoyingly unbearable. All tags must be removed immediately and all clothing must be of the softest material.

No, I don’t have issues at all.

Thank you for reading!
@isaria