I talking about the damage that an empath can undergo at the hands of a narcissist, I was asked the question: “as an empath, how do you heal?”
I think that is an important topic to cover because, as an empath, the constant emotional barrage from people around you can make for a wound that never closes. It’s seemingly impossible to take the time to deal with your own issues when you carry the weight of all of the emotional baggage from the people in your life.
So, for an empath, here are 6 ways that you can begin the process of healing your own wounds before you take any lashes for anyone around you.
Disconnect
Disconnecting from the people around you, while very hard for an empath to do, is really the best way to start the healing process. I mention it first in this list of tips because it is at the root of the 5 things that are to follow. Get away, even if it is just for an hour or two. Don’t worry, the world will be here when you get back.
Acceptance
Just like dealing with anything else in life, if it essential that you really come to terms that you are an empath. Don’t think that you might be, accept that you truly are. There is nothing wrong with you, you are just unique. Empaths are a beautiful thing, but I think they tend to think there is something about them that is broken. It’s the rest of the world that needs to take care of you, not the other way around.
Own It
Once you have accepted that you are empathic by nature, make it a part of who you are – not an excuse to feel the way you do. Own your existence, and be proud of who you are. It’s estimated that only 1 in 20 people is a true empath. Pride in your sensitivity is the only way to keep from feeling like a victim of it.
Meditate. Seriously…
I can’t stress enough the importance of meditation. There are literally hundreds of meditation techniques available to study and perfect, you just have to find what works best for you. For some people, white noise or a specific type of music is the key. Others need total silence. Take the time to figure out what works best for your brain.
Love It
Accepting your empathic nature and owning it are important, but above all – you have to love it. Again, you are special. You are unique. People in your life are blessed to have you around. They aren’t a burden. That’s like a doctor blaming his patients for being tired. Being an empath is just a facet of what makes you who you are. Not a condition to be treated.
Develop Boundaries
Finally, it is critical to establish boundaries. This isn’t the same thing as building walls. Consider your boundaries like a line in the sand. Leave it to the people in your life to stay on their side of that line, and if they cross it, that makes it that much easier for you to keep them at a distance. Be up front about your boundaries. Don’t make them invisible. One of the hardest things for an empath to do is boot people out of their lives and crossing boundaries is as good of a reason as any.