Now I don't mean "empath" in the sense of just having empathy, but in the other sense. Some empathic traits are the same or similar as those considered psychopathic/sociopathic.
1. Knowing: Empaths just
know stuff, without being told. It’s a knowing that goes way beyond
intuition or gut feelings, even though that is how many would describe
the knowing. The more attuned they are the stronger this gift becomes.
Yes, I have this.
2. Being in public places can be overwhelming: Places
like shopping malls, supermarkets or stadiums, where there are lots of
people around, can fill the Empath with turbulently vexed emotions that
are coming from others.
Not really that I know of. But I do feel something from some people sometimes.
3. Feeling others emotions and taking them on as your own: This
is a huge one for Empaths. To some, they will feel emotions off those
near by and with others they will feel emotions from those a vast
distance away, or both. The more adept Empath will know if someone is
having bad thoughts about them, even from a great distance.
Not really...
4. Watching violence, cruelty or tragedy on the TV is unbearable: The
more attuned an Empath becomes the worse it is and may make it so they
eventually have to stop watching TV and reading newspapers altogether.
No, and I like tragic stuff.
5. You know when someone is not being honest: If
a friend or a loved one is telling you lies you know it (although
many Empaths try not to focus on this because knowing a loved one is
lying can be painful). Or if someone is saying one thing but
feeling/thinking another, you know.
I know or sense it to some degree. Also if someone is being false with me.
6. Picking up physical symptoms off another: An Empath will
almost always develop the ailments off another (colds, eye infections,
body aches and pains), especially those who they’re closest to, somewhat
like sympathy pains.
Not that I know of.
7. Digestive disorders and lower back problems: The
solar plexus chakra is based in the centre of the abdomen and it’s
known as the seat of emotions. This is where Empaths feel the incoming
emotion of another, which can weaken the area and eventually lead to
anything from stomach ulcers to IBS (too many other conditions to list
here). Lower back problems can develop from being ungrounded
(amongst other things) and one, who has no knowledge of them being
an Empath, will almost always be ungrounded.
Yes, got some back problems and also digestion now. Latter is probably mostly caused by my diet and other things.
8. Always looking out for the underdog: Anyone whose suffering, in emotional pain or being bullied draws an Empath’s attention and compassion.
To some degree, perhaps because I see myself as an underdog or outcast.
9. Others will want to offload their problems on you, even strangers: An
Empath can become a dumping ground for everyone else’s issues and
problems, which, if they’re not careful can end up as their own.
No...even though it happens.
10. Constant fatigue: Empaths often
get drained of energy, either from energy vampires or just taking on
too much from others, which even sleep will not cure. Many get diagnosed
with ME.
Nah, although I sometimes need to sleep a lot.
11. Addictive personality: Alcohol,
drugs, sex, are to name but a few addictions Empaths turn to, to block
out the emotions of others. It can be a form of self protection in order
to hide from someone or something (external emotions).
Yes
12. Drawn to healing, holistic therapies and all things metaphysical: Although
many Empaths would love to heal others, they can end up turning away
from healing (even though they have a natural ability for it), after
they’ve studied and qualified, because they take on too much from the
one they are trying to heal. Especially if they are unaware of their
empathy. Anything of a supernatural nature is of interest to Empaths and
they don’t surprise or get shocked easily. Even at the revelation of
what many others would consider unthinkable, for example, Empaths would
have known the world was round when others believed it was flat.
Yeah, have most of my life been interested in or drawn to this stuff.
13. Creative: From singing, dancing, acting, drawing or writing an Empath will have a strong creative streak and a vivid imagination.
Yes, I have a vivid imagination and I'm creative.
14. Love of nature and animals: Being outdoors in nature is a must for Empaths and pets are an essential part of their life.
I love nature and like animals.
15. Need for solitude: An Empath will go stir-crazy if they don’t get quiet time. This is even obvious in empathic children.
I don't mind spending time alone and sometimes don't feel at all like socializing.
16. Gets bored or distracted easily if not stimulated: Work,
school and home life has to be kept interesting for an Empath or they
switch off from it and end up daydreaming or doodling.
Yeah, I constantly try to entertain myself.
17. Finds it impossible to do things they don’t enjoy: As
above. Feels like they are living a lie by doing so. To force
an Empath to do something they dislike through guilt or labelling them
as idle will only serve in making them unhappy. It’s for this reason
many Empaths get labelled as being lazy.
Yes, sometimes almost impossible to do things I don't like. Trying to get me to do those things won't work either.
18. Strives for the truth: This becomes more prevalent when an Empath discovers his/her gifts and birthright. Anything untruthful feels plain wrong.
Perhaps to some extent.
19. Always looking for answers and knowledge: To
have unanswered questions can be frustrating for an Empath and they
will endeavour to find an explanation. If they have a knowing about
something they will look for confirmation. The downside to this is an
information overload.
Indeed. I always want to know more.
20. Likes adventure, freedom and travel: Empaths are free spirits.
Yes.
21. Abhors clutter: It makes an Empath feel weighed down and blocks the flow of energy.
No, I'm not a very tidy person.
22. Loves to daydream: An Empath can stare into space for hours, in a world of their own and blissfully happy.
I did that more in the past.
23. Finds routine, rules or control, imprisoning: Anything that takes away their freedom is debilitating to an Empath even poisoning.
I don't like rules or anyone that's trying to control me. I do have some habits however, special things I always buy and so on.
24. Prone to carry weight without necessarily overeating: The
excess weight, especially around the belly area, is a form of
protection to stop the negative incoming energies having as much impact.
Not really though I've accumulated some fat in the belly area.
25. Excellent listener: An Empath won’t
talk about themselves much unless it’s to someone they really trust.
They love to learn and know about others and genuinely care.
Yeah, I like to talk (more than to listen) but can also enjoy listening to people. I do talk a lot about myself however.
26. Intolerance to narcissism: Although
kind and often very tolerant of others, Empaths do not like to
be around overly egotistical people, who put themselves first and refuse
to consider anyone’s feelings or points of view, other than their own.
I don't like when people boast although I can tolerate it to some degree.
27. The ability to feel the days of the week: An Empath will
get the ‘Friday Feeling’ if they work Fridays or not. They pick up on
how the collective are feeling. The first couple of days of a long, bank
holiday weekend (Easter for example) can feel, to them, like the world
is smiling, calm and relaxed. Sunday evenings, Mondays and Tuesdays, of a
working week, have a very heavy feeling.
Not sure about this...
28. Will not choose to buy antiques, vintage or second-hand: Anything
that’s been pre-owned carries the energy of the previous owner.
An Empath will even prefer to have a brand new car or house (if they are
in the financial situation to do so) with no residual energy.
I can buy second hand but prefer new things.
29. Sense the energy of food: Many Empaths don’t
like to eat meat or poultry because they can feel the vibrations of the
animal (especially if the animal suffered), even if they like the
taste.
No.
30. Can appear moody, shy, aloof, disconnected: Depending
on how an Empath is feeling will depend on what face they show to the
world. They can be prone to mood swings and if they’ve taken on too much
negative will appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable. An
Empath detests having to pretend to be happy when they’re sad, this only
adds to their load (makes working in the service industry, when it’s
service with a smile, very challenging) and can make them feel like
scuttling under a stone.
Yes, in a way. I usually have nothing against socializing but sometimes I'm not up to it. I know how people expect me to be and I'm not always in the mood for that.
Alright, lets look through this thing:
1. Knowing: Empaths just know stuff, without being told. It’s a knowing that goes way beyond intuition or gut feelings, even though that is how many would describe the knowing. The more attuned they are the stronger this gift becomes.
So... empaths are psychic? Sadly I lack that quality.
2. Being in public places can be overwhelming: Places like shopping malls, supermarkets or stadiums, where there are lots of people around, can fill the Empath with turbulently vexed emotions that are coming from others.
Wow, that sounds like it sucks.
3. Feeling others emotions and taking them on as your own: This is a huge one for Empaths. To some, they will feel emotions off those near by and with others they will feel emotions from those a vast distance away, or both. The more adept Empath will know if someone is having bad thoughts about them, even from a great distance.
Hah, "adept". This sounds more like a bad thing than a good thing.
4. Watching violence, cruelty or tragedy on the TV is unbearable: The more attuned an Empath becomes the worse it is and may make it so they eventually have to stop watching TV and reading newspapers altogether.
I figured that'd just mean they were too innocent to be jaded toward television. There's plenty of empaths that can stomach tragedy, it just doesn't look fun for them.
5. You know when someone is not being honest: If a friend or a loved one is telling you lies you know it (although many Empaths try not to focus on this because knowing a loved one is lying can be painful). Or if someone is saying one thing but feeling/thinking another, you know.
Zomg, one that applies to me, save for the "painful" part. It's called looking for signs and symptoms, not some sort of manifested psychic link. Am I supposed to believe that's a "gut feeling" just because they don't understand why they don't recognize it? It even specifies "friends" and "loved ones", the two you'd be the most adjusted to seeing the behaviors of.
6. Picking up physical symptoms off another: An Empath will almost always develop the ailments off another (colds, eye infections, body aches and pains), especially those who they’re closest to, somewhat like sympathy pains.
How is it different from sympathy pains? And come on, empathy lowering the immune system? What a joke.
7. Digestive disorders and lower back problems: The solar plexus chakra is based in the centre of the abdomen and it’s known as the seat of emotions. This is where Empaths feel the incoming emotion of another, which can weaken the area and eventually lead to anything from stomach ulcers to IBS (too many other conditions to list here). Lower back problems can develop from being ungrounded (amongst other things) and one, who has no knowledge of them being an Empath, will almost always be ungrounded.
Ahahahaha, what the fuck is this? Does this make big breasted anorexic women appear more empathic?
8. Always looking out for the underdog: Anyone whose suffering, in emotional pain or being bullied draws an Empath’s attention and compassion.
Another possible cause for this is: Pity.
9. Others will want to offload their problems on you, even strangers: An Empath can become a dumping ground for everyone else’s issues and problems, which, if they’re not careful can end up as their own.
Zomg, I must be king of the empaths then. People like to talk about themselves, and "letting off some steam" is helpful for both getting a second opinion (usually they just look for someone to mirror their thoughts) or for being able to resolve it themselves by hearing it said aloud (having the listener prove to be little more than an object being spoken at as opposed to toward).
10. Constant fatigue: Empaths often get drained of energy, either from energy vampires or just taking on too much from others, which even sleep will not cure. Many get diagnosed with ME.
For the inverse at least, it explains my insomnia. I will clearly have to become the human race's last hope against the "energy vampires" once their reign of terror begins.
11. Addictive personality: Alcohol,drugs, sex, are to name but a few addictions Empaths turn to, to block out the emotions of others. It can be a form of self protection in order to hide from someone or something (external emotions).
Bit of a stretch, non-empaths can carry this too, but the reasoning I guess would be different.
12. Drawn to healing, holistic therapies and all things metaphysical: Although many Empaths would love to heal others, they can end up turning away from healing (even though they have a natural ability for it), after they’ve studied and qualified, because they take on too much from the one they are trying to heal. Especially if they are unaware of their empathy. Anything of a supernatural nature is of interest to Empaths and they don’t surprise or get shocked easily. Even at the revelation of what many others would consider unthinkable, for example, Empaths would have known the world was round when others believed it was flat.
So... they are easily conned, and have "healing" powers. Not surprised or shocked easily? What madness is that? And what does this "world is round vs flat" have to do with anything?
13. Creative: From singing, dancing, acting, drawing or writing an Empath will have a strong creative streak and a vivid imagination.
Non-empaths can be drawn toward Creativity as well. This article is painful.
14. Love of nature and animals: Being outdoors in nature is a must for Empaths and pets are an essential part of their life.
Finally, one that makes sense. Others can enjoy pets as well, but the reason is likely more ego-based if not empathic.
15. Need for solitude: An Empath will go stir-crazy if they don’t get quiet time. This is even obvious in empathic children.
For fuck's sake article, why are these being lumped into just "Empaths"?
16. Gets bored or distracted easily if not stimulated: Work, school and home life has to be kept interesting for an Empath or they switch off from it and end up daydreaming or doodling.
How is this empathic? Just, how?
17. Finds it impossible to do things they don’t enjoy: As above. Feels like they are living a lie by doing so. To force an Empath to do something they dislike through guilt or labelling them as idle will only serve in making them unhappy. It’s for this reason many Empaths get labelled as being lazy.
Okay, really, who believes this crap? The article writer must have really needed to stretch things to make for a full thirty.
18. Strives for the truth: This becomes more prevalent when an Empath discovers his/her gifts and birthright. Anything untruthful feels plain wrong.
Wizard's First Rule must think Empaths are Idiots then.
19. Always looking for answers and knowledge: To have unanswered questions can be frustrating for an Empath and they will endeavour to find an explanation. If they have a knowing about something they will look for confirmation. The downside to this is an information overload.
I have met many "empaths" that preferred to not know things, from the knowledge being "too painful" or "too much effort". I'd argue those without empathy are more capable of it since the "endeavor" would be arguably less draining.
20. Likes adventure, freedom and travel: Empaths are free spirits.
Unless they've been burned by their own "gift", of course~
21. Abhors clutter: It makes an Empath feel weighed down and blocks the flow of energy.
Oh shit, wouldn't want to block that energy flow! Seriously, this isn't just empaths.
22. Loves to daydream: An Empath can stare into space for hours, in a world of their own and blissfully happy.
For fucks sake, again with the "how is this just empaths" out of me.
23. Finds routine, rules or control, imprisoning: Anything that takes away their freedom is debilitating to an Empath even poisoning.
So would that make the inverse true, that someone who likes routines, rules, and control, must not be empathic?
24. Prone to carry weight without necessarily overeating: The excess weight, especially around the belly area, is a form of protection to stop the negative incoming energies having as much impact.
So empathy is now... also... metabolic. So thin people are less prone to emotional contagion. I just... I don't even know how to respond to the bullshit of this one.
25. Excellent listener: An Empath won’t talk about themselves much unless it’s to someone they really trust. They love to learn and know about others and genuinely care.
Just five more... just five more...
26. Intolerance to narcissism: Although kind and often very tolerant of others, Empaths do not like to be around overly egotistical people, who put themselves first and refuse to consider anyone’s feelings or points of view, other than their own.
Oh shit, this forum just became Empath Central!
27. The ability to feel the days of the week: An Empath will get the ‘Friday Feeling’ if they work Fridays or not. They pick up on how the collective are feeling. The first couple of days of a long, bank holiday weekend (Easter for example) can feel, to them, like the world is smiling, calm and relaxed. Sunday evenings, Mondays and Tuesdays, of a working week, have a very heavy feeling.
For fucks sake, this is closer to Pavlovian Conditioning than this, followed by confirmation bias! Augh!
28. Will not choose to buy antiques, vintage or second-hand: Anything that’s been pre-owned carries the energy of the previous owner. An Empath will even prefer to have a brand new car or house (if they are in the financial situation to do so) with no residual energy.
Oh god, more psychic bull crap. What about Empaths that enjoy "ghosts", or the history behind an object? Are Empaths not fond of History now? Empaths disliking vintage as a characteristic of empathy is just crazy-talk.
29. Sense the energy of food: Many Empaths don’t like to eat meat or poultry because they can feel the vibrations of the animal (especially if the animal suffered), even if they like the taste.
I... I just... I don't even... Are empaths just over imaginative gullible children to this writer, or just victims of new age crazy? Or even Cibopaths?
30. Can appear moody, shy, aloof, disconnected: Depending on how an Empath is feeling will depend on what face they show to the world. They can be prone to mood swings and if they’ve taken on too much negative will appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable. An Empath detests having to pretend to be happy when they’re sad, this only adds to their load (makes working in the service industry, when it’s service with a smile, very challenging) and can make them feel like scuttling under a stone.
Non-empathic types can do this too, I mean, they have feelings, they have stress, they have problems, they even typically have emotions, and it's not like they aren't stuck dealing with people's bullshit as well. Noting that they flee is also not just a trait of empathy.