Are you an HSP, Empath or both? If you are not sure what an HSP is, it stands for highly sensitive person. So let’s break them down into more detail.
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HSP
What exactly is a HSP? A highly sensitive person is someone with “sensory-processing sensitivity”. HSP’s take longer to process things as well as going deeper into what they are processing, easily overstimulated, react emotionally and notice things that are subtle.
It wasn’t until the last few years that I have figured out that this is me. People always told me I was too sensitive about things. All the time before, I just thought I was an introvert and that was how introverts were. It’s great to learn what I really am about.
I recently found an article that talks about HSP’s and how to live as an HSP. The author, Shelia has a great list about HSP’s. Check Shelia’s article about HSP’s here: Why am I so Sensitive? How to Live as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
I have been continuing to learn about being a HSP and a lot of what I am finding fits me. I am an introvert as well, but I now know that it’s not all that I am.
Shelia’s article talks about living as a HSP and doing things to cope with being HSP. Most women who are HSP do not get the chance to do a lot of self care until they hit their late 40’s or even into their 50’s. I am in my late 40’s and have been doing my best to work on my self care.
Working on my self care is how I figured this out. It’s unique to take tidbits I have learned and analyze them into my life and see how it all fits or how it has played a part in my life.
Do What You Love
This is one of the coping strategies Sheila lists in her article. I love it because starting my blog is something I have always wanted to do. My blog allows me to write as well as share with you life.
Writing novels is another thing I love right up there with photography. Drives up into the mountains and sharing a lunch with my husband is another thing I love to do. Check out her article and see how you can thrive as a HSP in the modern world of today.
Empath
What exactly is an Empath? Empath’s can feel another person’s feelings right with them. I learned this rather quickly as I have been reading up on being an empath when a friend of mine’s mother recently passed away. She had sent me a message related to not wanting to have any discussions about her loss and that she had experienced something that she was having trouble dealing with on top of losing her mom.
I read that numerous times trying not to tear up for her. Feeling her loss right through that message. I haven’t lost anyone quite that close to me – yet. I know there will come a time when that happens but I felt for my friend. It was hard to respond to her message without getting emotional about it so I decided to just tell her I understood and respected her enough to let her talk when she was ready.
You can be all of these things I discussed: Introvert, HSP and Empath. It is even said that most HSP’s are Empaths as well.
So How Do You Know if You are an Empath?
Here are a few things that may tell you if you are an empath:
- Psychically tuned into the emotional experience of a person, place or animal
- Psychic ability to sense the emotions of others
- Often aware of the health and state of mind of loved ones, even across long distances
- Sensitive to visible behaviors such as body language, movement, tone of voice
- Emotional empaths can potentially absorb negative emotions
Traits of an Empath
- Talk open and frankly about themselves
- Have few problems talking about their feelings
- Ignore their own needs
- People and animals are easily attracted to
- Good listeners
- Are usually thinkers and studiers
Empaths have to take time to recharge because they are easily drained by overstimulation. HSP’s are too. Different ways both empaths and HSP’s can recharge themselves:
- Take a bath
- Sleep on it
- Take breaks from people
- Spend time outdoors
- Practice breathing exercises
Remember you can be both HSP and empath. Being an introvert works with both. Most of my learning has come from Google, Pinterest, and books found on Amazon. Here are a couple books I have found to help me understand HSP and empath abilities:
Thriving as an Empath: 365 Days of Self-Care for Sensitive People
This book is on my list to buy: Empath: A Complete Guide for Developing Your Gift and Finding Your Sense of Self
The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People
I hope this post has helped you start on a path to finding out if you are HSP, an empath or both.
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter and check out those books listed above.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.