Although this is a subject that I’ve discussed many times, I think it is an important one to talk about now, for the simple reason there is some seriously dark emotional energy out there, and it is potent.

I know that many fellow Empaths will be picking up on this emotional energy and wearing it like a weighted winter coat, often without knowing it’s not theirs to wear.

We all know how easy it is to carry other people’s emotions around without realizing it. However, just knowing you pick up on other people’s energy doesn’t mean you can easily tell it apart from your own, or stop it from affecting you.

When you soak up emotional energy (especially the heavy stuff), it can show up in a bunch of ways. You might even interpret it as emotions you personally struggle with, or ones tied to old wounds. Sometimes, someone else’s low mood can even trigger anger or irritation in you, even if they’re not feeling that way themselves!

It is also so easy to take on someone else’s fear or rage without realizing. And the impact of this can be really quite destructive.

Toxic Energy

We’re currently facing some very toxic emotional energy. Dark emotions are being deliberately stoked up to keep people’s mind’s trapped and in a low vibration. One of the biggest problems with this kind type of energy is that it seeps in from all directions, not necessarily from one person or place.

And as bonkers as it may sound, dark energy can even be emitted by online media.

People are in pain. Most don’t even know why. Many are lashing out, and trying to make sense of what they are feeling. Often laying the blame for their pain on others.

Because everyone is being intentionally triggered by things such as political events, the cost of living, or toxic headlines created with the intention to cause anger and frustration, you will find more people emitting dark emotional energy. This includes people who you would never normally find it difficult to be around.

It doesn’t matter how evolved you are or how good you are at protecting yourself, if you are an Empath, you will be feeling this dark energy and it may be impacting you in some weird ways.

Dark energy has a powerful ripple effect. It stirs up the type of emotions that can leave deep imprints within and often leads to troubled thoughts. If this energy is divisive in nature, it will create the types of feelings within that can cause a “them versus us” type feeling.

The fact that so many people are walking around carrying extra stress and hidden pain, it’s no wonder Empaths become overwhelmed so easily. And, if you’ve got your own unhealed pain within, picking up on someone else’s just amplifies it, often turning it into anger that seems to linger around the solar plexus (mid-stomach).

Also, if you pick up energy that reminds you of something from your past, your mind might trigger that old memory. Suddenly you’re reliving old emotions, feeling angry and or overly emotional.

When the Fear Isn’t Yours

Fear or rage are super strong emotions. They can take over even when they don’t belong to you.

That’s why it’s so important to pause and check in: Whose energy am I feeling right now?

When you start feeling an intense or heavy emotion, quietly say to yourself:

“If this emotion or energy isn’t mine, please leave me now.”

If the feeling isn’t actually yours, it’ll start to fade. You’ll notice a shift, it might be subtle, but you’ll feel lighter. When that happens, distract yourself right away.

Why? Because negative emotions are powerful. If you keep focusing on them, they’ll pull you back in. The more you think about them, the more they stick.

However, that said, sometimes you are simply experiencing your own inner-rage, often ignited by the state of global affairs (That’s a post for another day).

Here’s a quick checklist to help you figure out if you’ve picked up someone else’s emotions or energy emitted from online:

• Were you feeling fine, then suddenly sad, anxious, or angry after being around someone or after going online?
• Do you suddenly feel foggy or mentally scrambled?
• Are you unexpectedly tired, uninspired, or drained?
• Do you feel waves of irritation or anger that aren’t typical for you?
• Is your solar plexus (the area just below your ribs) tight, fluttery, or uncomfortable?
• Are you feeling afraid for no clear reason?

If you said “yes” to any of those, there’s a good chance you’re feeling external emotional energy.

Once you realize you’ve picked up any low-level energy being emitted, the next step is to let it go, whilst working to protect your own space.

The good news?

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Here’s some simple ways to do this:

Protecting Your Space

1.Set the intention to clear your energy.

Intention is powerful. You don’t need fancy rituals, just take a deep breath and think or say something like:

“Any energy that isn’t mine, I release you now.”

Visualize that energy gently lifting away from you, like mist evaporating in sunlight.

2. Ground yourself.

Get back into your body. Go outside, feel your feet on the ground, take a few slow breaths, stretch, or even shake your hands out.

Also, keep your grounding crystals on hand (Black Obsidian, Hematite, Black Tourmaline, etc). The more grounded you are, the less likely you’ll absorb external energy.

3. Protect your space.

This is an old one but a good one. Before heading into crowded or emotionally charged places, imagine a bubble or light surrounding you, whatever colour feels right. This is your personal energy boundary. You can even say to yourself,

“Only love and calm energy can enter my space.”

You’ll be surprised how well this simple visualization works.

4. Check in with yourself often.

Ask yourself a few times a day, “How am I feeling right now?” If your emotions feel random, heavy, or unfamiliar, that’s a good cue to clear them.

5. Practice release through movement.

Exercise, dancing, walking, even tidying up, all of these help move energy through your body. Emotions are energy in motion, after all. The more you move, the easier it is to let go.

6. Protect your downtime.

Empaths need alone time to reset. Spend quiet moments doing something that soothes you, journalling, music, a warm bath, nature time, whatever helps you feel like you again.

7. Stay away from anything triggering.

This could be people, places or online media.

If you turn on the internet and are immediately met with a triggering headline, it will automatically lower your vibration. When this happens, you are then more vulnerable to picking up toxic emotional energy.

Also, if you find that being around certain people has become triggering, especially those whose views are polar opposite to yours, it may be best to avoid them.

The more you practice the above, the easier it gets to recognize what’s yours and what’s not. You’ll start noticing shifts faster and feeling lighter, calmer, and more in tune with your true self.

And always remember: Your energy is sacred. Protect it, nurture it, and let it guide you, but keep on top of whose energy you are really wearing.

Hope this helps.

Until next time.

Diane

©DianeKathrine