As an Empath How do You Know Whose Emotions You are Feeling?

Posted in Balancing Empath Emotion, Empath's Emotions, Help for Empaths, Highly Sensitive Person HSP by Diane Kathrine

Is it your emotion you are feeling? Or does it belong to someone else?

Learning to differentiate between ‘whose emotion belongs to whom’ certainly proves to be a challenge for an Empath.

Every Empath quickly discovers of their ability to sense the emotional energy in others, but some struggle to distinguish these emotions from their own.

I often get asked questions like: ‘How do I define what I feel in another person?’ or ‘How can I block the emotions coming from others?’

Not understanding what other people’s emotions represent is more common than you might think within the Empath world.

When I was younger (teens and twenties), I did not know I could sense another’s emotions. I thought my own insecurities made me feel uneasy when around certain people. If anyone carried hidden pain, negative energy or anger issues, I felt them as a deep sense of discomfort. Which I wrongly interpreted as being part of my own social hang-ups.

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17Feb2016

Should Empaths Develop Mediumistic Abilities? And a Word of WARNING!

Posted in Alternative, Empath Intuition, Empath's Life Purpose, Highly Sensitive Person HSP, Mind, Body and Spirit, Protection for the Empath, Spirit by Diane Kathrine

Because Empaths are an intuitive bunch, it can rouse the question whether they also have psychic and mediumistic abilities.

Being mediumistic is not an attribute that falls under the ‘traits of an Empath’, but that is not to say they cannot own the gift.

So, what is being a medium? Think James Van Praagh, Alison Dubois or John Edwards. Those who have the ability to connect with the otherside.

Some Empaths have mediumistic abilities and some mediums have Empathic abilities. But whether you were born with the gift or not, it is something that can be developed.

If it is a topic you are drawn to, and want to develop, you can work towards owning mediumistic abilities. Empaths are highly intuitive and are aligned to most things of a metaphysical nature. They often experience a strong pull towards mediumship in the ‘early days’ of awakening.

However, it is not a subject one should take lightly; and finding a good teacher is essential. The teacher has to know and understand all about the traits and sensitivities of an Empath. Continue reading →

19Jan2016

Is the Empath Really an Introvert Narcissist?

Posted in Empath's Work, Help for Empaths, Highly Sensitive Person HSP, Mind, Body and Spirit by Diane Kathrine

Contrary to the title of this post, I am not suggesting that Empaths are in fact covert introvert narcissists. The title was just to grab your attention.

The reason being, last week an article came to my attention that made me stop in my tracks and was the cause for a lengthy conversation with myself about the traits of an introvert narcissist, and how they could be confused with the traits of an Empath.

As you read on you will understand why I felt the need to write this post.

There is much written about Empaths and narcissists and the toxic relationships that can result from these encounters. But I have had many comments on my site (which I don’t publish if they are overly negative or attacking) comparing Empaths to narcissists and this is why I would like to discuss the subject.

Narcissism is defined as a psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation and incredibly high self-esteem with a distinct lack of empathy.

The origin of narcissism stems from the myth of Narcissus, the youth from ancient Greece who fell in love with his own reflection in the water, only to drown in the process.

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6Jan2016

The Mirror Effect of an Empath & Why Some People Instantly Dislike You

Posted in Empath Intuition, Help for Empaths, Highly Sensitive Person HSP, Protection for the Empath by Diane Kathrine

We have all experienced it, being around someone who has either taken an instant dislike to us, or a bizarre resentment suddenly appears in those we have known for some time.

There may be no clear reason for this change in their behaviour. No matter whether they try to hide their feelings or not, an Empath can sense their loathing and it does not feel good!

Someone taking a dislike to another is a completely normal and acceptable part of life. We are all different and there will always be some people we do not get along with, whether Sensitive or not.

What is often baffling to the Empath is why some people act in an animostic way towards them, when they know they are a likeable and trustworthy person. Continue reading →

15Sep2015

10 Ways Empaths can Protect Themselves from Other People’s Energy

Posted in Clearing Negative Energy, Empath Intuition, Grounding for Empaths, Help for Empaths, Mind, Protection for the Empath, Tools by Diane Kathrine

If you are an Empath you will already know that being in public places can be a traumatizing affair. Simply nipping to the shopping mall can mean you end up ‘wearing’ someone else’s energy for the rest of the day. Which isn’t such a bad thing if the energy is positive and highly charged. But it is mostly the not-so-nice energy that follows you home.

On my journey as an Empath, I have found the best way to stay protected, when out in public places, is to either take pre-emptive measures before leaving home or use energy balancing techniques as and when needed.

As all Empaths are different, what works for one might not work for another. And depending on the circumstances you might need to use different techniques for different situations… or several techniques all at once.

Here are some of the most effective and easy protective techniques you can use before, during or after crowd exposure:

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13Nov2013

Navigating Psychic Attack: A Guide for The Empath

Posted in Ascension Related, Balancing Empath Emotion, Balancing Empath Thought, Clearing Negative Energy, Empath's Emotions, Grounding for Empaths, Help for Empaths, Mind, Protection for the Empath, Spirit, Tools by Diane Kathrine

There are many forms of psychic attack. For the purpose of this post, I’m referring to the type which is sent from one person to another, through dark thought forms.

Most Empaths have experienced psychic attack at some point in their life. Many without realizing what they are actually experiencing.

It’s often difficult to discern between the emotions our thoughts create, by pondering a stressful subject, to those we experience through psychic attack, and this is why many Empaths are unaware they are on the receiving end of it.

Most people don’t experience the dark thoughts of others, but Empaths do. When another is having undesirable thoughts about them, Many Empaths pick them up.

We are in the midst of some challenging times, which are bringing up buried insecurities and hidden issues to the surface within us all. But, instead of facing these issues and taking responsibility, many are projecting their pain onto others in the way of blame. This can be the reason behind psychic attack, as dark thoughts are projected out.

Those who stay in a negative mind-set tend to vibrate at a low-frequency. Their energy becomes toxic to the Empath. Because many Empaths find it difficult being around this type of energy, they may need to disconnect or stop spending time with them. This often causes resentments to form in the other. A psychic attack may then ensue.

Generally, a psychic attack comes from family members (not necessarily blood-related), friends who are close or once used to be, work colleagues, or those who the Empath has disconnected from.

How can you tell when being attacked?

When under psychic attack, the tell-tale signs are repetitive negative thought patterns surrounding one person.

For example: a certain friend (the one thinking and thus sending bad thoughts) repeatedly pops into the mind, along with negatively charged feelings, throughout the course of the day or days. You may wake up thinking angry thoughts towards this person, when you have had no recent contact with them. But you wrongly assume it is your own issues creating the angry thoughts.

When under attack, the one thinking/sending the dark thoughts won’t know you are on the receiving end of them. You probably won’t be the only person the thoughts are directed at, but you may likely be the only one feeling them.

What should you do when you sense a psychic attack?

If you suspect you are under attack, stop indulging the dark thoughts or emotions you are experiencing, immediately. Which has to be said, is not easy to do. By engaging angry thoughts that don’t belong to you, you become part of the problem.

An Empath has the power to project angry thoughts back to the source without realising. But, in doing so, they unintentionally open a two-way psychic battleground. This is when angry thoughts start flying back and forth. It can go on for days. And in these cases, the Empath always comes off worse.

You may have noticed your moods are projected onto others. If feeling happy you lift others up. If sad, you see it wash over those in your presence. Even your tiredness, and stumbling over words, is projected to another.

More than any other, Empaths have to be cautious of what they project into the world in the way of gloomy, angry or irrational thoughts. What goes out has the tendency to come back amplified. (The positive flipside to this is the return of projecting positive thoughts out into the world).

How do we stop engaging dark thoughts?

The easiest way to stop negative thoughts, that don’t belong to you, is distract yourself the moment you notice them; especially if they repeatedly go back to the same person.

You may have already discovered your own way to do this, but making noise in your head can really help, like singing, humming or chanting, etc. Just like plugging in your ears and singing loudly blocks out external sounds, I’ve found this helps with outside thoughts too. You could also try strenuous exercise or get creative as a way of distraction.

How can we protect ourselves from psychic attack?

Being out of balance, physically or mentally, automatically weakens your energy-field (aura). Your energy-field is your invisible shield which protects you from outside influences, such as negative thoughts and emotions. If you have an overly porous or leaky aura (as many Empaths do) you will allow too much energy in from others , including their thoughts. (click here to find out if your aura is leaky)

Suppressed emotions, poor diet, lack of exercise, a busy head, illness and emotional pain all contribute to weakening of the aura (energetic body). If you suspect you have been on the receiving end of psychic attack it might be a good time to tune into your IGS and see what changes could be made.

By strengthening your body and mind (see here for more) it in turn strengthens your aura and thus helps ward off psychic attack or negative energy.

Hope this helps on your Empath journey.

Is your real problem a leaky aura…?

Until next time.

Diane

©Diane Kathrine at Empaths Empowered

If you have found my work to be helpful please consider donating here

1Jul2011

30 Traits of an Empath

Posted in Empath Intuition, Empath's Emotions, Empath's Life Purpose, Grounding for Empaths, Help for Empaths by Diane Kathrine

By Diane Kathrine

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. The more attuned they are the stronger this gift becomes.

2. Being in public places can be overwhelming: Places like shopping malls, supermarkets or stadiums, where there are lots of people around, can fill the Empath with turbulently vexed emotions that are coming from others.

3. Feeling others emotions and taking them on as your own: This is a huge one for Empaths. To some, they will feel emotions off those near by and with others they will feel emotions from those a vast distance away, or both. The more adept Empath will know if someone is having bad thoughts about them, even from a great distance.

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. You know when someone is not being honest: If a friend or a loved one is telling you lies you know it (although many Empaths try not to focus on this because knowing a loved one is lying can be painful). Or if someone is saying one thing but feeling/thinking another, you know.

6. Picking up physical symptoms off another: An Empath will almost always develop the ailments off another (colds, eye infections, body aches and pains), especially those who they’re closest to, somewhat like sympathy pains.

7. Digestive disorders and lower back problems: The solar plexus chakra is based in the centre of the abdomen and it’s known as the seat of emotions. This is where Empaths feel the incoming emotion of another, which can weaken the area and eventually lead to anything from stomach ulcers to IBS (too many other conditions to list here). Lower back problems can develop from being ungrounded (amongst other things) and one, who has no knowledge of them being an Empath, will almost always be ungrounded.

8. Always looking out for the underdog: Anyone whose suffering, in emotional pain or being bullied draws an Empath’s attention and compassion.

9. Others will want to offload their problems on you, 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 ME.

11. Addictive personality: Alcohol, drugs, sex, are to name but a few addictions Empaths turn to, to block out the emotions of others. It can be a form of self-protection in order to hide from someone or something (external emotions).

12. Drawn to healing, holistic therapies and all things metaphysical: Although many Empaths would love to heal others, they can 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. Especially if they are unaware of their empathy. Anything of a supernatural nature is of interest to Empaths and they don’t surprise or get shocked easily.

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. Need for solitude: An Empath will go stir-crazy if they don’t get quiet time. This is even obvious in empathic 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 from it and end up daydreaming or doodling.

17. Finds it impossible to do things they don’t enjoy: As above. 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. It’s for this reason many Empaths get labelled as being lazy.

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 looking for answers and knowledge: To have unanswered questions can be frustrating for an Empath and they will endeavour 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 even poisoning.

24. Prone to carry weight without necessarily overeating: The excess weight, especially around the belly area, is a form of protection to stop the negative incoming energies having as much impact.

25. Excellent listener: An Empath won’t talk about themselves much unless it’s to someone they really trust. They love to learn and know about others and 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. The first couple of days of a long, bank holiday weekend (Easter for example) can feel, to them, like the world is smiling, calm and relaxed. Sunday evenings, Mondays and Tuesdays, of a working week, have a very heavy 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. An Empath will even prefer to have a brand new car or house (if they are in the financial situation to do so) with no residual energy.

29. Sense 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 can be prone to mood swings and if they’ve taken on too much negative will appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable. An Empath detests having to pretend to be happy when they’re sad, this only adds to their load (makes working in the service industry, when it’s service with a smile, very challenging) and can make them feel like scuttling under a stone.

Discover the secrets of an Empath and revolutionize your life!

Click on image to go to book store or click here for more information.

If you are new to discovering you are an Empath be sure to check out: Grounding Techniques for Empaths and Sensitives and Stop Empath Overwhelm Instantly

For a more in-depth look at ‘30 Traits of an Empath‘ and to discover what type of Empath you are.

There are many tried and tested techniques on this page that will help you better deal with your gift. Also, check out these 12 quick questions, you may also find the following posts helpful:

Transform Your Life!

Why Empaths Freeze around Inauthentic People

It’s Time to Let go of Toxic People

Supplements to Heal the Empath

An Empath’s Life Guide

This above list has been compiled as a guide to help the unknowing Empath recognize his/her gift.

Empaths may carry many of the same traits but not all of them. One Empath may be able to eat meat whilst another may love being around antiques… we are all different. Some can override or block certain traits and some traits will come and go over the years (strengthen or weaken) as life circumstances change.

Hope this helps you on your path.

Diane

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30Jun2011

Being an Empath

Posted in Grounding for Empaths, Help for Empaths by Diane Kathrine

When I didn’t know I was an Empath, I couldn’t understand why I felt all that I did. I know there must be hundreds of thousands of people struggling with the same ‘condition’, unaware that the bewildering, emotional ups and downs, they deal with on a daily basis, are not always their own feelings. They are picking up other people’s pain.

And I want to help with this. I want to help others understand that it is completely possible to feel another’s pain, even a stranger’s, as if their own.

If you don’t already know, an Empath is someone who is hyper-sensitive to many things, but mainly to the emotions of others. They can pick up the feelings of another and take them on.

An Empath can be perfectly happy and relaxed one minute, then enter a public place and within seconds feel anger, sadness or anxiety… emotions that are coming from others. If unaware they are Empathic, they may believe the cause of these feelings is a phobia of public places, a dislike of shopping, or even people.

Many Empaths become reclusive because it’s easier to stay away from the external stimuli than to deal with the bombardment of negative emotions they feel when in public.

Being an Empath is not something I tend to share openly with others. In the past I tried telling close friends about who I was or what I felt, but I just ended up feeling frustrated with their inability to grasp the concept. But that doesn’t mean I cannot share what I experience on here. Those who need the information will hopefully stumble across it.

When someone has not experienced something first-hand, it is difficult for them to understand it. And, as Empaths are not generally subject to discussion in common society, we may be seen as being a bit bonkers when we talk about what we feel, as opposed to having a very valid ability. This can make Empath life somewhat isolating.

Another reason I don’t tend to tell others of my abilities is because I don’t want them feeling uncomfortable around me. I’m sure they wouldn’t want to know that I know when what they’re saying is not what they are truly feeling or thinking. So, sometimes staying quiet is the best option.

Everyone who is an Empath has different empathic abilities. The two most common being: Picking up on others’ emotions and feeling the energy of places. For example: you may walk into a crowded room and sense a heavy tension, even though everyone looked happy (this is experiencing collective emotion). Or when entering a friend’s new house, which was old, but new to them, you feel a negative vibe, as if something bad has happened there (This is often residual energy. If the house was filled with arguments and angst the energy stays there. Likewise, when walking into a house that has been filled with happiness and love, to an Empath it can feel like the Sun is shining indoors).

Another unusual place Empaths experience weird feelings is on social media: I once fell into the trap of being a Facebook addict. It took me a while to understand why I always came away from a browsing session feeling flat, especially after reading posts by a people declaring their happiness and fabulous lifestyles. Then I saw it, it was the inauthenticity affecting me. As Empaths we feel fakery. When someone is stating how wonderful life is, when it’s quite the opposite, we feel that as an inauthentic vibe. Spend too long on social media outlets and it often becomes overwhelming.

The more in tune we become as Empaths the more we see the world for what it is. Reading newspapers becomes a challenge, especially the ones packed with lies, gossip and no real news. The TV can become unbearable, in particular any kind of programmes with violence or cruelty. Even watching reality-singing-shows are heart-wrenching. Seeing the judges quash the dreams of young hopefuls (whose main ambition in life is to feel special) and humiliate them, in the name of entertainment, is hideous.

There are many other ways in which Empaths find everyday life a challenge, which I intend to write more about in future posts. But if you are not sure if you could be classed as an Empath, here’s a list of 30 traits that can help you decide.

So if you’d like to find out more about being an Empath click the follow button on the sidebar.

Until next time…