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When someone nearby is oozing with excitement, are you easily influenced by their emotions, too?
How about when people cry — maybe it’s your friend, or you’re just watching a movie — do you find yourself shedding a tear, too?
If your answer to both questions is yes, then you’re most likely demonstrating a characteristic of empathy.
Now, let’s define what an empath is.
What is an Empath?
When you’re an empath, you can deeply understand and feel what others are experiencing. You tend to absorb these emotions as if they were your own.
However, just like anything in this world, even empathy has a major pro and con we need to deal with.
Good thing: this can make you incredibly compassionate and caring.
Like, we need more kindness in this world, right? I consider empaths as the heart of our society.
It’s innate for us to extend our hands and be understanding of other people’s situations. I believe the world needs more of us!
However, being an empath can also have a fair share of struggles.
The downside: Some empaths experience overwhelm more frequently than others. We have intense, surging emotions, and sometimes, they’re difficult to manage.
And that’s why empaths appreciate some peace, too.
While their ability to connect with others on such a deep level is a gift –an incredible one! — it also requires them to be mindful of their own emotional boundaries.
So now, the question is, are you an empath?
If you’re wondering if you are, below is a list of 15 signs you are an empath.
Ready? Here we go:
15 Signs You’re A True Empath
1. You easily read people’s emotions.
If you’re an empath, one of the key signs is your ability to observe and understand people’s emotions. It’s effortless for you.
You can easily pick up on subtle cues—like the sadness in someone’s eyes, their averted gaze, or when they’re overly cheerful or avoiding a topic.
This heightened awareness often leads you to ask others, “What’s wrong?” even when no one else has noticed anything amiss.
Your keen observation skills encourages others to open up. You’re most likely a safe space for many!
2. You can live in other people’s shoes as if it’s your own.
Another sign that you’re an empath is how you can deeply connect with others’ experiences.
You don’t only understand their story; you feel like you’re living in their shoes.
Say, when someone shares a story about their leg injury, I would instinctively touch my leg, too, feeling their pain as if it’s my own.
When others are grieving, you not only understand their sorrow but feel it yourself. Sooner or later, you cry with them just by hearing and imagining their struggles.
You connect at a deep, emotional level.
3. Peace and harmony is your ultimate goal.
You’re simply a natural peacemaker. Conflict and tension is your kryptonite.
When people around you give off a negative vibe, you might not function at your best because… that’s so distracting!
You might even overthink “what happened?” “Is it my fault?” “Should I ask her?”
Because of this, you would want to mend relationships rather than add fuel to the fire.
Personally, I don’t last long in such battlefield of a workplace. I would tap out in the long run if the problem remains unfixed.
Why? Because for empaths, they instinctively work to bring people together and restore peace.
4. You can be oversensitive.
The office telephone rings, your co-worker’s munching on his chips, and you stumbled upon your angry boss who never knew how to smile.
The next thing you know, you’re so drained, anxious, and wanting to withdraw.
Ah, I relate with you. The slightest inconveniences and noises can trigger my frustration, and I dislike this part of me.
Many empaths tend to be oversensitive to these noises and energies, especially with people’s emotions.
Long story short, you absorb them all.
That’s why interacting with a large group can be exhausting, and enjoying parties until the very end almost never happens.
You’d rather be cooped up at home, where you can recharge and feel at peace.
5. Prioritizing others over yourself.
This one’s common among empaths.
When you imagine yourself in someone else’s situation, you often feel compelled to help, even if it means sacrificing your own time, money, and effort.
You go out of your way to support others—comforting them, treating them to a meal to lift their spirits, or checking in on them regularly.
Well, you can’t help it. You could vividly picture their struggles, so it’s a no-brainer that you would want to lift even just an ounce of their burden.
You’re always there to listen until you’re sure they’re okay, often putting their well-being before yours. This is a noble deed.
6. Nonjudgmental to a fault.
Instead of jumping to conclusions, you give people the benefit of the doubt.
You try to understand people’s motivations before passing judgment.
You listen to their side of the story and consider factors like their upbringing, financial situation, or family problems that could influence their behavior.
This deeper understanding helps you approach situations with empathy rather than criticism.
But sometimes, an empath can take this forgiving and understanding heart to a ridiculous level.
I tell you, I have friends who take them years, along with giving hundreds of chances before they conclude they’re being abused and taken advantage of.
My dear fellow empaths, be more cautious!
7. Deep connection is valuable for you.
You prefer a small, close-knit group where relationships can grow in depth and meaning.
You tend to have long-lasting friendships (although small) and genuinely care about their best interests.
Just yesterday, I met with my high school girlfriends, and because we’re all empaths, just imagine how much we care for this more-than-decade friendship.
Deep talks are our forte! Love them!
8. Your rage is fierce when someone hurts a loved one.
Do you often side with the underdogs? Or do you fiercely fight for your bullied and hurt friends/loved ones even when you don’t usually choose aggression?
Then, you could most possibly be an empath!
As an empath, you can be fiercely protective, and when someone hurts your friends or family, it can trigger intense anger.
“So you wronged my friend? You better get ready.”
Suddenly, the kitty evolves into a lion!
Some empaths can hold grudges. People wouldn’t want to be on their bad side.
And while you may eventually forgive, forgetting the deed can be a little difficult for you.
9. You smell fakeness and lies a mile away.
One empath superpower is their impressive ability to detect fakeness and lies from a mile away.
You quickly notice when someone’s actions don’t match their words, and you can almost instantly assess whether someone is trustworthy.
This gut feel or intuition helps you evaluate relationships, all while understanding others’ true intentions.
10. Too conscious of what others might think or feel about your actions.
One sign you’re an empath is being overly conscious of how others might react to your actions.
“How will they react if I do this?”
You’re too conscious and don’t want to hurt them. Trust is very valuable.
On the downside, due to being too scared of injecting pain into others, some empaths have tendencies to be people-pleasers.
Meanwhile, let’s go to the darker side of the empath spectrum:
Because some empaths are too conscious and observant of people’s behavior, they can predict responses accurately and manipulate situations to achieve their desired outcome.
Kinda scary, eh?
11. People are comfortable around you.
This is a given — people feel comfortable around you.
Your compassionate and nonjudgmental nature creates a safe space for others to open up and share their struggles.
They trust you to listen without being combative, allowing them to release their emotions—the hurts, grievances, and annoyances—and feel understood.
12. You appreciate nature and tranquility.
Empaths are often drawn to peaceful environments, finding solace in the beauty of the natural world.
So, if you always admire the sky, fields, or sunset, this could be a sign you’re an empath!
13. Bad news can really get to you.
Yes, empaths can feel extreme excitement and joy when they hear good news.
But at the same time, you see, a series of bad news can heavily impact them, too. They can feel extreme sorrow when others are in pain and sorrow, too.
This is also a reason why empaths can be seen as having mood swings.
And when it comes to local and international news, an empath may also be fearful of what the world will become.
My empath friend is an overthinker who has become pessimistic because of the bad news she receives on a daily basis.
On the other hand, there are optimists like me who cling to the bright side, which makes me cheery and hopeful.
Do you relate to this, too? Which side are you on?
14. You treat people differently according to their energy and character.
Empaths can match other people’s energy, according to each one’s character.
Say, they may treat someone with sassiness and even talk with cuss words, while they treat the other friend with care and kindness.
With other people, they can be lions as they fight for what is right. On the other hand, they can be like meek listeners with soft hearts.
Empaths tend to mirror people’s energy, so at the end of the day, the people they talk to feel comfortable and happy engaging with them.
That’s an amazing skill, don’t you think?
15. You feel satisfaction in helping others.
Another sign you’re an empath — you find deep satisfaction in helping others.
You’re often the first to offer support to those in need. Even if you’re not close with the person, you’ll extend your hand regardless.
This selfless dedication reflects your empathy. This embraces you with a sense of purpose.
That’s it with the 15 signs you’re an empath! Do you relate to any of these? I hope you find valuable insights here as you understand yourself better.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
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