If you’ve happened across this post, chances are you are an Empath, or suspect yourself to be one, or you know someone that you think could be an Empath.
The following list gives a brief description of some of an Empath’s traits, that often set them apart from others.
If, after you’ve read this you’re still not sure, click here for more insight.
1. Knowing: Empaths just know stuff, without being told. It’s a knowing that goes way beyond intuition or gut feelings, even though that is how many would describe the Knowing.
2. Being in public places is often overwhelming: Places like shopping malls, supermarkets or stadiums, where there are lots of people around, can fill an Empath with dread. They get overwhelmed by the incoming energies of others.
3. They feel others’ emotions and often take them on as their own: Empaths feel the emotions of those who are near by. Others can feel the emotions of those a vast distance away, if they tune in.
4. Watching violence, cruelty or tragedy on the TV is unbearable: The more attuned an Empath becomes the worse it is and may make it so they eventually have to stop watching TV and reading newspapers altogether.
5. They know when someone is not being honest: If a friend or a loved one is telling lies an Empath can feel it (although they may try not to focus on this because knowing a loved one is lying is painful). Or if someone is saying one thing but feeling/thinking another, they know.
6. Picks up physical symptoms off another: An Empath commonly develops the ailments of another (colds, eye infections, body aches and pains), especially those who they’re closest to, somewhat like sympathy pains.
7. Suffers with digestive disorders: The solar plexus chakra is located in the centre of the abdomen and it’s known as the seat of emotions. This is where an Empath feels the incoming emotion of another, which can weaken the area and eventually lead to anything from stomach ulcers to I.B.S. (too many other conditions to list here).
8. Always looks out for the underdog: Anyone whose suffering, in emotional pain or being bullied draws an Empath’s attention and compassion.
9. Others offload their problems on them, even strangers: An Empath can become a dumping ground for everyone else’s issues and problems, which, if they’re not careful can end up as their own.
10. Constant fatigue: Empaths often get drained of energy, either from energy vampires or just taking on too much from others, which even sleep will not cure. Many get diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
11. Addictive personality: Alcohol, drugs or food are to name but a few addictions Empaths may turn to, to escape all they feel.
12. Drawn to healing, holistic therapies and all things metaphysical: Although many Empaths would love to heal others, they may end up turning away from healing (even though they have a natural ability for it), after they’ve studied and qualified, because they take on too much from the one they are trying to heal.
13. Creative: From singing, dancing, acting, drawing or writing an Empath will have a strong creative streak and a vivid imagination.
14. Love of nature and animals: Being outdoors in nature is a must for Empaths and pets are an essential part of their life.
15. Has a need for solitude: An Empath will go stir-crazy if they don’t get quiet time. This is even obvious in Empath children.
16. Gets bored or distracted easily if not stimulated: Work, school and home life has to be kept interesting for an Empath or they switch off and may end up daydreaming or doodling.
17. Finds it impossible to do things they don’t enjoy: Feels like they are living a lie by doing so. To force an Empath to do something they dislike, through guilt or labelling them as idle, will only serve in making them unhappy.
18. Strives for the truth: This becomes more prevalent when an Empath discovers his/her gifts and birthright. Anything untruthful feels plain wrong.
19. Always looks for answers and knowledge: To have unanswered questions is frustrating for an Empath and they will try to find an explanation. If they have a knowing about something they will look for confirmation. The downside to this is an information overload.
20. Likes adventure, freedom and travel: Empaths are free spirits.
21. Abhors clutter: It makes an Empath feel weighed down and blocks the flow of energy.
22. Loves to daydream: An Empath can stare into space for hours, in a world of their own and blissfully happy.
23. Finds routine, rules or control, imprisoning: Anything that takes away their freedom is debilitating to an Empath.
24. Prone to carry weight without necessarily overeating: The excess weight, especially around the belly area, is often a result of experiencing too much stress energy.
25. Excellent listener: An Empath won’t talk about themselves much unless it’s to someone they really trust. They love to listen and learn about others and they genuinely care.
26. Intolerance to narcissism: Although kind and often very tolerant of others, Empaths do not like to be around overly egotistical people, who put themselves first and refuse to consider anyone’s feelings or points of view, other than their own.
27. The ability to feel the days of the week: An Empath will get the ‘Friday Feeling’ if they work Fridays or not. They pick up on how the collective are feeling.
28. Will not choose to buy antiques, vintage or second-hand: Anything that’s been pre-owned carries the energy of the previous owner and can feel ‘cluttered’. As Empaths have a tendency to dislike clutter energy they often prefer to buy items with no residual energy.
29. Senses the energy of food: Many Empaths don’t like to eat meat or poultry because they can feel the vibrations of the animal (especially if the animal suffered), even if they like the taste.
30. Can appear moody, shy, aloof, disconnected: Depending on how an Empath is feeling will depend on what face they show to the world. They are prone to mood swings and if they’ve taken on too much negative will appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable.
To learn more about any of the above traits, click on the links on each one… or if you want a more in-depth explanation of an Empath’s traits, and what purpose they serve click here.
©Diane Kathrine 
Empaths Empowered 