Signs You May Be an Empath or Highly Sensitive Person
If you find yourself more sensitive to certain things, like emotions, your environment, or other peoples’ energies, you may be an empath or highly sensitive person (HSP). A lot of creatives tend to be empaths or highly sensitive people by nature, so if you live an outside-of-the-box lifestyle or are part of the creative community, you probably see a lot of these traits in yourself.
Understanding the difference between empaths and highly sensitive people
It’s important to understand that an empath and highly sensitive person are not the same thing, although there are many overlapping traits and a person can be both.
* It’s important to note that just because you have some or all of these traits, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re an empath or highly sensitive person (or both) - but they can be indicators that you lean in that direction.
Highly sensitive people:
Highly sensitive people tend to be more sensitive to stimuli and their senses (smell, sound, sight, touch, taste). Being in certain environments can be overwhelming, as they are hyper aware of their surroundings.
Some common traits of HSPs are:
Strong sensitivity to light, sound, and smell
Easily overwhelmed by chaotic scenes
Typically introverted
Highly perceptive and may notice details others miss
Likes nature and quiet environments
Empaths:
Empaths, on the other hand, pick up on emotions and energies of those around them and tend to take on those as if they are their own. They struggle with separating their own emotions from those of others.
Deeply caring
Feels others’ emotions intimately
Often has strong “gut feelings” or intuition about situations
Often feels drained, exhausted, or overwhelmed after social gatherings
Senses subtle energies
Creative empaths/HSPs:
That being said, just as empaths and highly sensitive people have similar, overlapping traits, creative people tend to share a lot of those same traits. Creativity requires sensitivity. Empaths and HSPs tend to lean toward and flourish in creative fields because they are able to channel their own emotions to put into their creative processes.
Empaths as healers:
It’s also important to recognize that a lot of empaths and highly sensitive people may lean toward careers that are focused on physically or mentally helping and healing people, such as doctors, teachers, or counselors. Their ability to care and feel others’ emotions so deeply is what tends to draw them to these professions.
Many lead very spiritual lives and often go in more of a “spiritual healing” direction. Some examples of this are energy healers or yoga instructors. Their highly-intuitive and highly-sensitive nature allows them to be more perceptive and aware of other peoples’ emotions and energies
It’s important to remember that if you show signs of being an empath or highly sensitive person, this is not a disorder, but a character trait and a gift! There are so many pros to this if you use these traits to your advantage and figure out what works best for you.
Of course, it can be very overwhelming and exhausting, as well. For tips on protecting your energy and peace as an empath or highly sensitive person, check out my other blog, “5 Ways To Recharge and Recover as an Empath or Highly Sensitive Person.”
