What kind of Empath are you?

Series: Article 1 of 2 

The other day I came home from work, from meeting with many different people throughout the day, and BAM… by the time I got home I felt like I was dragging around so many negative and dusty vibes – I could shake it off just about as easy as a cat with tape stuck to its paw (but my mood was nowhere near as funny though).

It’s one of those days where I’ve needed to be extra vigilant with my emotional protection.

I’ve learned that as an empath, or an extreme empath, we soak up the emotions of others like a paper towel if we’re not careful.

Are you one of those people that can feel someone’s mood and emotions?

You’re checking out at the grocery store or in a meeting at work and you can tell if others are in a negative headspace, worried, happy, guarded… Me too! I can feel this with friends, loved ones, and strangers constantly; sometimes it can be a blessing and other times – not so much.

I mean, ideally, we can surround ourselves with people that build us up and have super good vibes, but some of us have to work day jobs in corporate and the like.

So, just to break it down a little more, there are three kinds of Empaths:

1. Highly sensitive people

2. Empaths

3. Extreme or Intuitive Empaths

What’s the difference?  I’m so glad you asked…

Highly Sensitive…

According to Psychology Today, “Highly sensitive people are typically introverts, while empaths can be introverts or extroverts (although most are introverts). Empaths share a highly sensitive person’s love of nature and quiet environments, their desire to help others, and their rich inner life.”  I dig it!

So what about the emotions and energy I referenced?

Empath…

This isn’t totally out-there woo-woo either, I’m just sayin’.  Check out what Psychology Today said!

Psychology Today states “Empaths take the experience of the highly sensitive person much further: We can sense subtle energy (called Shakti or Prana in Eastern traditions) and actually absorb it from other people and different environments into our own bodies. Highly sensitive people don’t typically do that.”  

(In my hype-girl voice) Empaths get your hands up! Ya!

Extreme Empaths…

As for the extreme empaths out there, you’ll know if this is you. From what I’ve learned, being an extreme empath this is a form of clairsentience.

Many people believe that all humans have the ability to tap into a sixth sense.  Yep, you heard me, and if you don’t believe me, Google supports it.  Considering we only use 10% of our brains, does this really seem far fetched?

I’m sure every single one of you has experienced deja vu, or knowing something before it happens, or experienced a “God Wink”, or some sign from the universe that you are in the right place, a coincidence you can’t ignore.

These messages can be referred to as our “sixth sense” and some of us experience it more than others.

Oh look!  My cat got the tape off!

Anyways, back to being an extreme empath or clairsentient…

An expert in the space, Jill Leigh, states on her blog “The only way clairsentience works is through taking on and holding the energy of someone else (or multiple someones if you’re in a group setting), through the act of displacing your own energy to take on the energy from others. You become a little less you, and the individual who you’ve taken energy from becomes a little less him or her.”  

Now that you know what kind of Empath you are, check out 4 Lifesaving Selfcare Tips for Empaths. Just remember to be gentle with yourself and enjoy the journey, you beautiful souls.

Are you Highly Sensitive, an Empath, or an Extreme Empath – if so how do you know?  I’d love to hear any stories you have around each of these.  I look forward to our discussion – please comment below!