I have been carrying this heavy weight on my chest for I don’t know how long. I am 55 and I have come to the conclusion that I am an empath. People who are empathetic feel and sometimes carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. I have also taken responsibility for everyone else’s needs before my own. I have identified that it is my fault when in fact I’m not seeing what is right in front of me or using my intuition.
Why is it difficult for me to use my intuition? Because I doubt ~ I always give people the benefit of the doubt and always give them excuses for their behavior. I also want to feel loved. I’ve been doing this all of my life and it is time to do things differently.
You may be asking What is a Narcissist? There is varying degrees of narcissism. Their is a lot of information about this topic if you were to google search it. I have become curious surrounding this topic due to the fact that I noticed I did not have good boundaries in relationships. I also noticed I was always people pleasing and wanted to learn about this dynamic.
What I have come to learn about narcissistic behavior: It’s all about them and what benefits them. They tend to be a bully. You lose yourself or your own identity. Lying and manipulation to get their way. Don’t take responsibility for their actions and tend to blame others. Not honoring others and their own space. Leave a conversation second guessing yourself. Not honoring of your emotional needs.
Empathetic people tend to see the good in others forgetting to see what is right in front of them. Empathetic people want peace and can give their power away or think that the other party knows more than they do. They meet other peoples needs before their own. Empaths usually do not have good boundaries and try to make things work when they won’t. Empaths can feel what other’s are feeling and can lose objectivity.
What Empath’s need to do to strengthen themselves:
- Set boundaries.
- Limit your time spent around them or walk away.
- Say “No” when it is safer to say “Yes”.
- Care for your hurt before their hurt.
- Express yourself in a safe environment.
- Get in touch with nature or be with animals
- Listen to music
- Honor your sensitivity and well-being
- Love yourself
Anne LaMantia 