How to thrive as an empath

Empathy can feel like both a blessing and a curse. If you’re an empath, you’re also highly sensitive. Your ability to feel all the emotions around you can be overwhelming, especially when those emotions are heavy and difficult. The whole day might have gone by, and you suddenly remember you forgot to breathe. Maybe you hold your breath for long periods of time (you’re amazed how your body still functions as well as it does), and when you’re aware of your breathing again, it feels somewhat familiar and deeply satisfying.

Knowing your strengths can arm you with knowledge on how to best utilize those strengths. If you’re reading this blog, your top strengths may very well include empathy. If you’re like me, empathy maybe your number one strength according to the CliftonStrengths Top 5 test. Being exceptional in empathy means you have the natural ability to sense others’ feelings by imagining yourselves in others’ lives or situations.

Sometimes this can literally keep you up at night because you’re so worried about others. You wonder why you’re up, what might be wrong with you, and then you’re feeling guilty for feeling that way on top of that. Sigh. This is why it feels like a curse sometimes to have empathy be your top strength. Life feels volatile because one minute you’re affected by the heightened sights, sounds and smells of your environment and another minute, you’re feeling so sad by your friends’ unfortunate situation, that might have happened months or years ago. You just want to crawl into a cave, your partner’s shirt, or curl up into a fetal position in bed.

Let’s take a deep breath.

Being an empath can be a gift to your family, neighborhood, community and the world. It’s time to reframe and focus on strengthening your strengths. Life is short, and instead of trying to go for self-improvement all the time, what would happen if you lean into your strengths? Imagine a more easeful flow of life where you feel confident about your strengths and stop worrying about what others say or think (spoiler alert: that is out of your control).  What if you embrace your gift of being a highly sensitive person, because what if this is exactly how you’re made and how your uniqueness contributes to the betterment of all lives you’ve touched.

What if 2025 is the year you finally lean into your empathy and sensitivity? What if you stop hiding this gift of empathy and finally embrace it? How might your life be different?

For those who feel misunderstood, you’re not alone. You’re a part of this Calm Corner community, and you’re always welcome here.

Here are a few tips on how to thrive as an empatH:

• Protect your self-care/mindfulness practices: meditation, stretching, time with nature, voice recording your feelings/thoughts, journaling

• Allow yourself the freedom to laugh, cry, and vent

• Give plenty of quiet time in your day

• Try not to schedule back-to-back meetings

• Strengthen your support system (i.e., connect with a friend, initiate interactions, make new networks)

• Be kind to yourself

• Forgive yourself

From one empath to another, you got this. Book a free consultation call to see how you can thrive as an empath.