Empath 101: The Rundown

After extensive research during my own discovery, I was saddened to find a lack of in-depth resources online. What I only found through reading one-off articles and blog posts was what it’s really like to be an empath – this is the comforting reassurance you’re not alone, and the key identifier.

If you’re using this to identify yourself, note that I am both clairsentient/empath and claircognizant. I do feel that I know what is attributed to each, but admit there are times when those lines are blurred for me. Initially, I thought they were one and the same. But through research and reflection, I realized my unique combination of clairsentience and claircognizance allows me to feel, know, and predict what’s happening.

Firstly, know that it’s something that’s always been a part of you. Some people take a long time to learn about it, and I believe there are a lot more people out there who just simply don’t realize it (or maybe don’t want to). Secondly, it’s not just about having empathy. While by definition it can sound the same, it is by far a more in-depth experience. Many people have empathy, and we adore those who do, but that does not automatically mean they are an empath.

I’m going to be forward with the rough stuff. Because let’s be honest: if you’re an empath, you know you’ve had your days where you’ve called this a curse. The effects are harder when you’re unaware of it, but it’s easy to see what was wrong when you do come to understand it. It may not be true for all, but as some of us tend to be old souls, we sometimes find we get the tougher end of the stick in life (arguably for the sake of learning experience).

The challenges of being an empath often manifest in various ways. Before understanding my empathic nature, I experienced numerous health issues Relatable or not, the indicator is always in what you experience when you’re around people. For example: I would often experience stomach cramps and pain when I entered stressful environments or conversations. Personal conversations always resulted in me becoming a shoulder to cry on, but left me feeling drained, heavy, and responsible for helping that person. Uneasy conversations are equally emotional too – leaving you feeling physically uncertain, enraged, cheated, and sometimes, knowing when something or someone is not right. The easiest for me to see and experience is being near someone that’s upset or angry – for me those are more like feeling a dark (sometimes leeching) cloud or a ticking time bomb in the room.

Those are just a few brief ways to describe how it feels, but essentially you know you’re an empath when you know this: you can feel (and I mean really feel) other’s emotions. If you’ve ever noticed your mood tends to change with your surroundings, and you know you’re not always “100% you”, then you know why that is. You may have experienced emotional outbursts that seem unexplainable - often stressing over issues that aren’t directly yours but somehow involve you. Additionally, you might find yourself being the 'go-to' person for others.

Another commonality I realized through conversing with other empaths is that we have a low tolerance for media. Some people (myself included) love movies and TV shows, but have drawn a line. For example: I more often than not avoid watching the news [in any format] at home because it causes me significant stress. This sensitivity to media is common among empaths, as upsetting news can impact our mood deeply. We can take in news on certain subjects, but know tragic topics cause an emotional and mental stir in us. For me, the local evening news just upsets & enrages me, but also makes me want to run out and fix everything that’s wrong.

As an empath, upsetting news of any kind has the ability to ruin my mood and the rest of my day, purely based on my inability to change the negative circumstances.

I could probably go on with many more examples and explanations, but this should be enough to identify with. If you can relate to the experiences above, then you may very well be (or know that you already are) an empath. If I had to give it a nutshell explanation, it would be this: the ability to feel the emotions of others nearby, with the ability to experience other persons’ perspectives when you do converse. Naturally, we’re also good counsellors because the above point allows us to know what to say and how to comfort people.

Despite the challenges, being an empath also brings magical moments. There is nothing more fulfilling than being in the presence of like-minded individuals or spending time with someone you trust. And once you understand it, it becomes easier to interpret your experiences, which should help alleviate the physical effects.

I plan to publish more “how to” articles for empaths, but I encourage you to do your own research if you’re looking for identification. With luck, it won’t take you long to get the affirmation you need. I would also recommend meeting someone alike if you can, as this was what gave me answers initially. Just know that as long as you keep an open mind, and pay attention to the signs, you’ll be on the right path.