THE DIARY OF AN EMPATH (the meaning behind the name)
This blog has been taking up space in my head for over three years. But when it came time to buy the domain and commit to it, I panicked.
Labels are limiting and I hesitated at the thought of creating a space that would place people in a metaphorical box. The term empath comes with a lot of misconceptions and I didn't want to set myself up as an expert on what it means to be sensitive or suggest there was only one way of living that was right for people with empathetic tendencies. I was also afraid that someone who didn't necessarily identify as an empath would feel left out or excluded. And that was never my intention because we all have energy needs and we can all improve our lives, and the lives of the people around us, by paying closer attention to them. For people who aren't as sensitive, being energetically off balance is less noticeable and has less of a direct impact on their day to day life.
So I hummed and hawed, and put off buying the domain for as long as I could.
But then I realized this:
Boxes and labels are limiting, but for people who have felt different and excluded their whole lives, a box becomes a refuge. Being labeled an empath was a gift; for the first time in my life everything made sense! I wasn't "overly sensitive", "weak" or "woo-woo", I was a girl with a unique set of energetic and emotional needs and a really important purpose for being here. The label validated my experience and allowed the girl who felt so deeply and experienced the world so differently, to finally fit in.
Many institutions continue to ignore the impact of energy on our human experience. But energy and the interconnectedness of our world is at the core of an empath's experience; many empaths walk through life completely unaware of their gift, subconsciously adopting others' thoughts and feelings as their own. Without knowledge of what is happening these empaths lose sight of their own needs, attract challenging people and situations, and experience anxiety and depression with no apparent cause.
“Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It is not the empath who is broken, it is society that has become dysfunctional and emotionally disabled. There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings. Those who are at times described as being a “hot mess” or having “too many issues” are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world. Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world.”
Knowledge is power and I believe understanding ourselves and our energy needs is the first step to optimal health and wellness. This site isn't meant to be diagnostic, and it's not my intention to categorize or exclude, rather it's meant to create normalcy around the topics of energy and empathy, and provide a space for sensitive people to feel safe in who they are. This site is a space for me to document my life as an empath; the really great things and the things that hurt. I've come to realize that sharing is how we heal ourselves and change the world. By sharing my experiences I not only get more comfortable in my own sensitivity but also validate the experience of others who feel the same way.
And at the end of the day that's what we are here for; to grow and share what we've learned with others.
For years I thought my sensitivity was a weakness, but now I realize it's most definitely a strength. As an empath I have a direct link to energy and its impact on our lives. I feel it, I see it. It's always there. I know this isn't the case for everyone - but learning to work with energy makes life easier. Empath or not. As an empath I'm also a good reference for anyone wanting to get involved in social justice, be it human rights, animal rights or planetary activism because I care so much about the world and the people in it.
By writing about my healing process, I give others tools to heal themselves. And when we heal as individuals, we heal the world as a whole - because everything is interconnected.
So that's why I started this diary. To share my own healing process and hopefully inspire other empaths to heal and show up, too.
I'm so glad you're here!
Robin