Do you know the difference between sympathy and empathy?
Sympathy is when you can feel compassion towards other people and empathy is when you really feel someone else’s emotions as if they were your own. If you are an empathizer, then you may have experienced pain and suffering over something that doesn’t directly affect you.
These invasive feelings can really block your ability to function and even stop you emotionally. Have you ever been next to, or close to, a negative person and felt his or her emotions? It might be described as a heaviness or as a weight on your shoulders.
Maybe you didn’t realize it right away – but this negative energy is moving into your body and your emotions and is causing you to feel pain. If this sounds like you, then we have the answer.
Here are five ways to repel negative energy and protect yourself from its mental, physical and spiritual effects:
1. Stop feeding your emotional vampire
Some people need attention. If you have someone in your life who is constantly using you because you are nice and affectionate towards them, then it’s probably time to tell them to stop. Putting all of your positive energy into someone who is having emotional difficulties will not help you or them.
You may think you are doing them some good, but in the end, they wind up with the same problems and leave you feeling much worse than you did before you tried to help them.
If it feels like your efforts are getting the person nowhere and it seems as though they are after your attention more than a resolution, then they are emotional victims, or vampires, sucking all of your positive energy from you. This is when you have to say no.
It’s time to realize that these people are not your responsibility and that you should only rely on yourself.
2. Stop trying to please everyone
It’s a common misconception to believe that you are being friendly and nice by always pleasing people. What you are actually doing is becoming a part of their negative energy and letting it become you.
Stop, and start to think more about yourself. It’s OK that some people won’t like you – that’s normal. Everyone is different. It’s important to accept differences and not feel like you have to adhere to other people’s likes and dislikes.
The best way to prevent yourself from absorbing other people’s negative energy is to go into the situation positively and like yourself.
3. Start Saying “No More”
If you are a people pleaser, then you probably also find it hard to say “no” to people. It’s great to be generous with people, but there has to be a line. Be aware that some people might be taking advantage of your positive approach to life and your “yes” attitude.
Make sure you set boundaries for yourself and others; it will not help your emotional well-being to have someone else invade your body and your personal space, and your time. It’s OK to say no when you need to say no. For example, when you feel like someone is beginning to invade your space or something worse, it’s time to say something.
You can also prevent this from happening by setting clear boundaries when you first meet people and make sure they stick to them.
4. Get Away From It All
Revive yourself and get away from all of the people and things that have made you feel this way – physically. It really helps to go somewhere extremely peaceful and full of nature. Nature can give you the perspective you need, as you watch several different creatures live in harmony with one another.
Breath in the pure natural air and enjoy this alone time.
5. Commit Yourself to You
You are the only one that is truly responsible for how you feel. You are the only one that can stop bad influences from affecting you, and encourage only good things in your life. So do it. If you find yourself again being pulled down by negative energy, then you are the only one that can correct it.
Start to realize that you need to commit to yourself, not to someone else. Then, start to make more positive decisions for yourself. Think about how things will benefit you for once.
Start making these changes today and get rid of that poisonous negative energy right now!
We empaths need to understand others pain without absorbing their energy. It can be quite draining and unsettling.
Very interesting read thank you !
Does it work for relatives that live with you?
What if that person is your daughter? What if she doesn’t care about life anymore ? What if she is 30 and has depression, anxiety, panic attacks and spent the last year trying to fight a drinking addiction and a eating disorder and still has a dui and can’t drive to a job anymore?
I’m trying to help her but it’s taking a toll !
So what an ultimatum might start her drinking again or worse !
How do I approach this situation?