I used to hide in my closet as a child…..
I remember hiding in my closet as a child. It was dark in there and felt safe. I didn't feel safe in the world. My 6 year old self was terrified of going outside and interacting with people. I was what one might label a "shy child". Looking back I understand that my gifts as a sensitive child were not understood by my family. I was extremely socially awkward and afraid to go to school some days. Yet I understood much about feelings and had an intrinsic ability to know what people were thinking and feeling. I think that is why when I started to go through puberty at age 12 I slowly became more and more nervous. I wasn't taught how to regulate the strong emotions that I felt and in fact was shamed for expressing my emotions.
I remember being told to stop crying or I would be punished which caused more anxiety and more emotion to flow.
This concept of emotion was recently reframed to me as "energy in motion". I love that because it beautifully explains what is actually happening on a physical level. I now understand that I am a conductor of energy. I can sense cosmic shifts in my body and easily take on energy from my surroundings. I am what one might call a "highly sensitive empathy". I pick up energy and feelings from others and feel it with them or for them.
This ability is a gift and a curse and I have had to learn techniques to manage in the world with what some people may consider a disability of sorts. I consider it a gift that can be utilized to help others heal themselves by feeling their feelings and releasing blockages.
I would like to share some of my thoughts on managing the world as an empathic person. First of all, some encouragement. There is nothing wrong with you. You are perfect just the way you are. Don't let others allow you to feel weird about your gifts. Remember to breathe. I can't emphasize enough the power of your breathe for coping with emotions. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I try to remember to take a nice deep slow breath. Focused breathing is the best tool you have for moving through heavy emotions.
Secondly I encourage you to practice self awareness techniques. Ask yourself how you are feeling. Are you overwhelmed right now? Maybe it is a time to take a break and space yourself while doing something you enjoy. I enjoy swimming and being near water so I gravitate towards places in nature that feature water. I know that my most soothing environment will be near a lake, the ocean or a bathtub.
Thirdly, find structure in your day. This could be taking the first part of the morning to journal or feel into your body through movement practices such as yoga. Whatever it is, make it a daily practice wherever you are and whatever else may be going on that day. Make a commitment to yourself to keep to the consistency of this structured activity every day as a way to center yourself.
Lastly, explore other mindfulness techniques and find good teachers that can help get you started and encourage you to practice. Dealing with daily anxiety is challenging but can teach us so much about ourselves forcing us to slow down and listen more deeply to our own personal needs. As an empathic being I know that my strength lies in what I was told as a child was my weakness. I understand now that I just needed to learn how to effectively focus my abilities and use them as a superpower. If you would like encouragement and guidance with cultivating your own personal coping strategies reach out to me through my website www.luminatedhearthealingarts.com
and check out my YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/@luminatedheart
I would love to connect with you and hear your story.
Aloha,
Athena Rose
