to hate the term 'empath'

[Penny4UrThoughts]

In my experience it's usually used in one of two ways.

1. 'I'm so super awesome. I'm an empath. People just tell me all their secrets because they know I understand. I can just sense how you are feeling because I'm an empath and you know, it's ok. It will get better. I can feel it. That's just me, can't help but to help people. It's just who I am. There's not many of us about. I'm an empath, did I mention it?' Or

2)' life is so hard. I find it really difficult to make meaningful friendships because as soon as we meet they just tell me their life story and it's all so dramatic and I find it exhausting. I can't cope with all the drama other people choose to have in their lives. It's because I'm an empath and I'm sooo sensitive to everyone's emotions, but people can just sense it and want to tell me everything. It's so hard to be an empath'.

There are people in my life that could probably be describes as empaths, but they wouldn't choose to use the term. The people that I have come across that self-describe themselves as such invariably fall into one of those two groups.

The worst one was at a training programme. We were asked to describe ourselves and her opening was 'well, I'm an empath' and then she proceeded to be disruptive and ride roughshod over the friend that she came with when they were in the spotlight, like she couldn't handle someone else getting the attention.

abigcup

a) these 'empaths' are not my friends!
b) this is not 'my nonsense', really not sure how you have come to that false and unfounded conclusion - especially as I'm criticising this use of the term!

There are articles all over the internet about 'how to know if you are an empath' and 'six signs you are an empath'. I did not create them. Any of them.

And you may not be aware, but they do update dictionaries regularly when words get commonly used in a different way.

But hey, I get it. You are probably a goblin empath and this is how that manifests

I fit your definition number 2 but I would never say so in real life or outside of a question like this. My mother was emotionally abusive and as a result I learned how to read people really well as I needed to know when she was going to kick off. I find it stressful even being in the same house as other people, because I never feel entirely safe that they are not going to kick off.

The sad thing is that I suspect a lot of the "all about me" people who claim to be empaths probably had similar childhoods, just a different reaction to it (thinking they need to be special and have constant attention to know that they are liked)

I am a moon goddess.

I know some people who claim to be empaths, and they are really not good at reading people because they see everything through their own lens and try to tell you what you're really feeling.

Racism against betazoids?

😂

Actually racism against half Betazoids. Full Betazoids are telepaths.

I am a Unicorn Goddess Empath, apparently. Which is nice.

I'm a unicorn goddess empath, but I could do with meditating in the forest apparently
Am I allowed to think that animals have a consciousness, but plants don't?

Hahaha, maybe your meditations in the forest will help you find the answer to that...

YES! My dad was told he was an empath by a psycic 2 years ago. He then ran off with one of his partner (of 17 years) 'friends'
Unless you're a psychopath you are by nature a fucking empath. I really agree OP.

I've never heard anyone describe themselves as an 'empath' but someone upthread mentioned the 'highly sensitive person' nonsense which sounds similar and is incredibly annoying. See also: people who declare that 'they always put themselves last and I need to put myself first for once' (they're invariably selfish and self absorbed), people who 'are really interested in people' (isn't everyone who isn't an actual psychopath?) and those who diagnose themselves with low self esteem or imposter syndrome (surely if you actually have this you can't recognise it because you think you're genuinely crap?).

It's that whole self defining thing.
"I'm an empath", "I'm crazy"etc.
If you have to tell me then you probably aren't

You can get by socially, although it sounds like your intuitive social skills could be better. You may want to look into getting energy work and healing done on your second chakra

Oh no! I'm apparently the wrong kind of empathy!

Oh god, yes! I work for a charity with many of these types... both clients and colleagues. It grates.

The only empath I know of is Deana Troi.

That was my thought too.

She was shit and annoying though.
'OOOH I sense that they angry'.
No shit twinkle, they have just blown up a fucking planet because it was the wrong shade of purple.

I know what you mean in a way OP

I have a friend who every so often puts up long articles on FB all about being an empath and attracting narcissists and users. Cue loads of people on a long thread "oh yeah me too" and going on about men.

I can't work out if its humble bragging, making excuses for getting with trash men, or centering self as a victim but with an element of "oh well it happens to me because Im different, not like everybody else I care and help so much and unfortunately bad people are drawn to me because of that".

I feel the same way about it as I do about self-declared nice men

That empath test is fantastic...literally!
I agree. I have thought that I was just becoming antisocial as I got older: instead, I now realise I am an Empath!!!!! New career path in the offing for me.

I've only heard empath used on the tv programme Charmed. (Think Phoebe had that power)

Forgot about Deanna Troi... She's obviously more famous than Phoebe Halliwell.

Apparently I need an aura mirror according to that test. Do you think Argos would have one?

Are your friends new agers who believe themselves to be indigo children?

Rainbow Goddess Empath here! With an Indigo DC too no doubt.

I apparently also need to do work on my 2nd Chakra because I like water!

Good grief! It really is about announcing yourself as being a Precious Snowflake isn't it? Ridiculous bumpf.

Actually, the original Star trek series had an episode called "The Empath" (1968):
Troi was a Johnny Come Lately!

It seems several of us need to get work done on our second chakras.

Perhaps we should see if we can get an estimate for a job lot.

I get a lot of these empath type signals, but I think this is normal. What is interesting is that the people I know who call themselves empaths give me tight and sad feelings, it's as if people who desperately want to be empathetic are actually very deeply sad and unsettled. . I think a lot of self-appointed empaths are actually people who are trying to seek meaning in their own emotions and Project a lot.. Which is easily done. My empath-like feelings are best when I am content, grounded and positive.
I did have an odd experience last week when. I felt unsettled and a bit paranoid and quietly angry and it turned out a work colleague sitting near me who I don't interact interact with much had had some really bad news and ended up going home later, so I do think it's possible to be in a state that picks up on others emotions without very many cues

I think you eve been watching too much Charmed OP .