Im an empath and it can be exhausting. I have a tendency to feel like im responsible for fixing and helping everyone! I feel guilty if I can't.
I find a lot of friends use me as a therapist, offloading, wanting advice and pep talks. Its both flattering and exhausting.
When someone you care about tells you their problems how do you protect yourself from not carrying that with you? Or desperately trying to think of ways to help or try and fix it?
I appreciate its also an ego/self centered thing that i assume that this is what people what me to do?
I wondered if anyone has developed any useful strategies?
I work with vulnerable, traumatised people and ive managed over time to put in some professional boundaries to protect myself but its taken a long time and its still a struggle.
I dont want to tell people I care about 'i can't listen to this' because I feel that is cruel and horrible when someone is in need.
Do anyone else ever feel like this and what can you do to help yourself?