Robyn! This is such a great piece and we are very very similar! I cannot stay in holiday homes with other people. I don’t really like to have people to stay at mine. I struggle to be around lots of people for a long time. All of way you say here chimes with me so much. Some friends say I’m an empath and I usually shrug it off cos of what you say about being cranky and not soft and floaty! But wow, you’ve helped me see something here. Thank you!
I am not cranky because I shut down when overwhelmed. I learned I was an empath when I was 53. I was released from everyone I knew complaining I was too sensitive. Now I say, thank you for noticing I am empathetic. 🦕
Groups used to bother me because invariably there was always one person there who had shitty, aggressive energy. Absorbing that energy used to make me short tempered, not to mention, sore - it physically hurts to be near that kind of toxicity. Maybe that's why some of us get grumpy? Or are perceived as being grumpy? It might just be our way of trying to block that horrid energy and get away from something that we intuitively perceive to be unhealthy
Wow this explains so much about some people I love!! I’m also empathic (the sight or even idea of a child or animal suffering…unbearable). But I generally like being around people all cozy and in the same house, while some of my favorite people, like you, do not!
This is totally me - I relate to all of this especially the cranky part! Except there is no way in hell I'd be staying in a house with five other people as I have learned how much downtime I need in between social interaction.
Like you say, it's not just what's being said, it's what's not being said and, at the risk of sounding woo woo, the energy of the people involved which I can pick up on instantly. Massively tiring. I think what would help (a wise woman once advised me) is just dialling back my own energy and efforts and being quieter in company. I'm getting there with that but as a fixer, my default is engaging and yes, problem solving the unspoken. Also, I'm an introvert but a chatterbox, an introverted gobshite, so being quiet isn't really my thing, unless alone.
Some people get energy from social interaction. Some get drained by it. Not much we can do about that. These days I know I have three hours max (more if drunk but then I'm really just borrowing next week's energy) and I make the most of it, seeing the people I love. It's enough.
I do not have pets but I love animals and am far too friendly with strangers' dogs in the park 🤣 and will instantly cry at the fate of an animal I've never met.
Have you read about HSPs? It's interesting and explains that it's a nervous system situation not a choice! https://hsperson.com
Yes! Thank you for this piece, so relatable and put the words to how I feel. Maybe there is different categories of empaths? I am definitely one….a people pleaser, cannot read about or watch animals suffer, get extremely angry about human suffering, and also am cranky. You showed me other things about myself with this piece 🧡
I completely agree about Data and TNG. I grew up in Asheville, so I LOVE it in those mountains, but I can't imagine not being able to be on my own for an entire week. I would take a lot of hikes. The eclipse was excellent!
I kinda despise the term empath...like bipolar, it gets thrown around a lot. However, I enjoyed this piece and I probably fall into the category of an empath. I could relate to your struggles of being overloaded with people time...I need time alone to recharge. Yet, there's a sense of guilt about my own needs. Writing and reading time are good excuses, but like you, I still wonder..."Is there something wrong with me?"
I was able to relate to this piece and I have always wondered why I was so cranky and I additionally also have issues with unannounced and unplanned visits , it makes me anxious and crazy most times, I don’t know what I am but I try to work around my issues by planning and preparing myself mentally and like you said take a walk or go to a coffee shop just to clear my mind🤗 fantastic piece thank you for sharing!
1. Yes, but I really do love your description. 3. Well, lol, Deanna Troi. But also Picard. 4. Sometimes. Especially when tired or overwhelmed. I am easily overwhelmed, especially around other humans. I’m only just starting to learn ways to protect my own energy better, release the energy that’s not mine more easily, and honor my own need for space as key elements to my health.
A lot makes sense here!! 😅 I call it getting "peopled out" and it's because I can read all the undercurrents and emotions in the room. It's exhausting! Oh and I would absolutely drive to the grocery store to make dinner because I want EVERYONE TO BE HAPPY! But I'm learning! Pretty sure I've let a few people down this last year and somehow we've all survived!
Yes, I'm an empath. I don't care what people think of the insane amounts I adore my pets and yes I will see the eclipse with my trusty glasses today!
Robyn! This is such a great piece and we are very very similar! I cannot stay in holiday homes with other people. I don’t really like to have people to stay at mine. I struggle to be around lots of people for a long time. All of way you say here chimes with me so much. Some friends say I’m an empath and I usually shrug it off cos of what you say about being cranky and not soft and floaty! But wow, you’ve helped me see something here. Thank you!
1. Sometimes. Wish I could feel my own shit better
2.no
3. Envious of the bodies of all those women who could look great in those tight body suits
4. Always cranky and not okay with it.
5 yes watching eclipse but would have missed it without others encourgement
Dang. Who knew we were long-lost sisters!
My daughter is an empath. Not cranky, but easily overwhelmed. She fits your description well.
I am not cranky because I shut down when overwhelmed. I learned I was an empath when I was 53. I was released from everyone I knew complaining I was too sensitive. Now I say, thank you for noticing I am empathetic. 🦕
Groups used to bother me because invariably there was always one person there who had shitty, aggressive energy. Absorbing that energy used to make me short tempered, not to mention, sore - it physically hurts to be near that kind of toxicity. Maybe that's why some of us get grumpy? Or are perceived as being grumpy? It might just be our way of trying to block that horrid energy and get away from something that we intuitively perceive to be unhealthy
Wow this explains so much about some people I love!! I’m also empathic (the sight or even idea of a child or animal suffering…unbearable). But I generally like being around people all cozy and in the same house, while some of my favorite people, like you, do not!
This is totally me - I relate to all of this especially the cranky part! Except there is no way in hell I'd be staying in a house with five other people as I have learned how much downtime I need in between social interaction.
Like you say, it's not just what's being said, it's what's not being said and, at the risk of sounding woo woo, the energy of the people involved which I can pick up on instantly. Massively tiring. I think what would help (a wise woman once advised me) is just dialling back my own energy and efforts and being quieter in company. I'm getting there with that but as a fixer, my default is engaging and yes, problem solving the unspoken. Also, I'm an introvert but a chatterbox, an introverted gobshite, so being quiet isn't really my thing, unless alone.
Some people get energy from social interaction. Some get drained by it. Not much we can do about that. These days I know I have three hours max (more if drunk but then I'm really just borrowing next week's energy) and I make the most of it, seeing the people I love. It's enough.
I do not have pets but I love animals and am far too friendly with strangers' dogs in the park 🤣 and will instantly cry at the fate of an animal I've never met.
Have you read about HSPs? It's interesting and explains that it's a nervous system situation not a choice! https://hsperson.com
Yes! Thank you for this piece, so relatable and put the words to how I feel. Maybe there is different categories of empaths? I am definitely one….a people pleaser, cannot read about or watch animals suffer, get extremely angry about human suffering, and also am cranky. You showed me other things about myself with this piece 🧡
I completely agree about Data and TNG. I grew up in Asheville, so I LOVE it in those mountains, but I can't imagine not being able to be on my own for an entire week. I would take a lot of hikes. The eclipse was excellent!
Thanks so much for sharing, Robyn!
I kinda despise the term empath...like bipolar, it gets thrown around a lot. However, I enjoyed this piece and I probably fall into the category of an empath. I could relate to your struggles of being overloaded with people time...I need time alone to recharge. Yet, there's a sense of guilt about my own needs. Writing and reading time are good excuses, but like you, I still wonder..."Is there something wrong with me?"
I was able to relate to this piece and I have always wondered why I was so cranky and I additionally also have issues with unannounced and unplanned visits , it makes me anxious and crazy most times, I don’t know what I am but I try to work around my issues by planning and preparing myself mentally and like you said take a walk or go to a coffee shop just to clear my mind🤗 fantastic piece thank you for sharing!
1. Yes, but I really do love your description. 3. Well, lol, Deanna Troi. But also Picard. 4. Sometimes. Especially when tired or overwhelmed. I am easily overwhelmed, especially around other humans. I’m only just starting to learn ways to protect my own energy better, release the energy that’s not mine more easily, and honor my own need for space as key elements to my health.
A lot makes sense here!! 😅 I call it getting "peopled out" and it's because I can read all the undercurrents and emotions in the room. It's exhausting! Oh and I would absolutely drive to the grocery store to make dinner because I want EVERYONE TO BE HAPPY! But I'm learning! Pretty sure I've let a few people down this last year and somehow we've all survived!