Empaths

Sensitivity to the thoughts, feelings and needs of those around them.

Meaning

Sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, including animals

High level of awareness

Good intuition

Understanding

Desire to help

Clairsentience

Outward focused

Information

Empaths are highly sensitive people, who often have strong intuition and a sensitivity to the thoughts, feelings and needs of those around them. They have a high level of emotional intelligence and alertness of their surroundings. Empaths are often good listeners as people often feel comfortable sharing things with them, because they feel seen and heard. Because of their ability to "read a crowd," to intuit the needs of others, and people's general comfort talking to them, empaths can make good leaders. Empaths are outward focused, rather than self-focused. Because they can perceive needs even before people speak them, empaths often have a desire to help and give themselves in various types of service.

Empathic traits can also be difficult for highly sensitive people. Some highly empathic people don't like being in large crowds or groups as their sensitive receptors can become overwhelmed or drained by the high amount of chaotic energy. People like this may often enjoy being in nature, where the energy is more clear and calm.

Because they can intuit the needs of those around them, some empaths can fall into people pleasing and relationships with negative people who take advantage of their sensitivity and giving spirit. The narcissist-empath relationship is a well known relationship in which people with narcissism, who are characterized by self-centered behavior, become close with empaths, those who are very sensitive to the feelings of self-centered people. An empath's nature of wanting to understand, please, and care for others is taken advantage of by the narcissist, whose need for attention is insatiable and not reciprocated. The narcissist loves to take but has little to give. The empath will help, love or try to uplift the narcissist for some time, but this often leads the empath feeling depleted and used.

Empaths can learn to protect and clear their energy by setting boundaries, spending time in nature, covering their hair, or by sitting in quiet meditation to clear any energy they have absorbed.

The Opposite

The opposite of narcissism is narcissism, a personality trait characterized by self-worship, obsession with one's physical appearance, selfishness, playing the victim, the need for constant praise, pridefulness, manipulation, gaslighting, and the mistreatment of others.

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