I am an empath. I feel everything and am susceptible to burnout when there is too much sensory input.
When I get overstimulated, I tend to become frustrated, exhausted, and irritable, shutting down and avoiding my responsibilities.
Overstimulation can occur when I am in crowded stores, attending large concerts or events, interacting with people who try to hide their emotions, or find myself in environments where feelings are shoved down or shut out. For example, shopping at Walmart overwhelms me. Large concerts leave me on edge and worn out, inauthentic people make me feel trapped and alone, and the corporate world is a massive struggle for me because the focus is so rarely on self-care, wholeness, or emotion.
If I am not careful with how I spend my time, who I spend my time with, or take time for self-care, I can quickly become burnt out, tired, and depressed. Some days I struggle to find the energy to get up and get going, overwhelmed and exhausted.
Working with my therapist, we called the experience "hitting a wall" and came up with strategies to mitigate this sensory overload.
Let me clarify one point. Having empathy is a good thing. Empathy allows people to relate to and understanding other people's feelings, thoughts, and experiences. It is about meeting people where they are, even if we are not in the same position.
However, being an empath is empathy on steroids and, if not managed, can take an emotional toll. It is both a blessing and a curse.
Being an empath can feel like when a computer is overloaded and runs slowly or crashes, unable to keep up and process all the data.
After large gatherings of family or friends, I tend to retreat or need a day to rest, allowing my body to find equilibrium again. Small shifts in energy can send me spiraling, and I often don't understand what is wrong until later reflection.
I have lived in my body for 24 years, but it has only been within the last 12 months that I am learning how deeply emotions and input affect my body.
I knew that I would get depleted or tired, but I didn't understand why. I was always busy and working hard, so I assumed that my exhaustion was normal. When I started to slow down and create space, however, I realized it was less about my busy schedule and more about how I was using, cultivating, and maintaining my energy.
As an empath still in training, here are few essential things I have learned.
Schedule time for rest and restoration -- if you know there is a draining event coming up, be prepared to take some time to rest afterward and recharge. Allow yourself time and space. It is okay.
Take quiet time each day to journal and tune in with your emotions -- as an empath, it is easy to take on other people's feelings and think they are your own. Separate what you feel from the people around you and let go of that which is not yours to own.
Find practices that help you protect your energy -- Be careful who you let into your energetic field, learn blocking & shielding techniques, and learn to identify the things that drain you most.
No matter if you identify as an empath or not, the above practices are helpful and can be extremely healing. We can all be susceptible to overwhelm and the influence of negative energy. Learning to rest, tune in to yourself, and be mindful of how things are influencing you and your body is essential. And who knows, you may feel better in the process!
If you are not sure yet if you are an empath but are curious to learn more, you can go through a quick self-assessment at https://drjudithorloff.com/quizzes/empath-self-assessment-test/
Here are a few books I also recommend if this post resonated with you!
Thriving As An Empath: 365 Days of Self-Care for Sensitive People - Judith Orloff
Here is to thriving in this beautiful messy world we live in!
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