Functional Empath with HSP Traits
Welcome! I can relate as I am among this subset of HSPs, hosting both empathic and environmental sensitivities.
If I may share a story from my own life: I was once an avid squash player and I recall one tournament where I needed to change hotel rooms for various empathic and environmental reasons. (Now you see the source of question # 3) I felt a density and stagnation from previous occupants, and I picked up a mildew smell from the carpet. Fortunately, my teammate took it in stride and didn’t find me too “high maintenance” as we lugged our belongings from one room to another.
I’ve learned what I can ignore and what will be too much to allow me to rest and feel comfortable. I can usually send compassion to an emotional encounter I may pick up, but that doesn’t work on environmental sensitivities like mildew or mold.
Why is it important to distinguish between non-empathic HSP’s and empathic HSPs? HSP’s support is typically found in psychology and counseling, while an empath requires more specific mentoring and support to work with their clairsentient ability.
Undeniably being both an empath and an HSP requires a lot of self-monitoring and self-care.
HSPs can be taxed by being on constant alert. The environment is rife with variables they may react to: electromagnetics, sound, light, pollutants, motion, smells, food allergies, physical pressure, and so on. To manage their sensitivities and perceived threats, they pay attention to detail, which is a trait already attributed to HSPs. This genetic expression in the human population is considered to be an evolved response that favors observing first over action first.
Be longing or belonging—the power of feeling safe:
The combo of being empathic and HSP hits personal perception of belonging and feeling safe times two. Each of these sensitivities can be guidance to help you understand your inner and outer environments and how you feel safe.
I often remark that we may be born sensitive and empathic but no one is born an empath. Being empathic is a personal journey that challenges what you sense and feel, as well as your sense of belonging. Not everyone who is empathic is an empath. As you probably know, an empathic person can remain passive with the impressions they receive; but it is when an empathic person crosses the threshold of passive to actively engage and witness energy impressions that the skill of an empath is required.
As an empath, you need to be the embodiment of your own authority. Perhaps that’s the question that needs to be put forth on a self-assessment test to help sensitive people identify where they are on the arc of development. “Do you have authority over your own energy? Do you know how to take care of yourself without needing a crisis to signal you’re over-extending yourself? Do you know how to ground yourself and why that’s an essential component to developing sensory fluency? What do you typically do when you receive an impression from someone else, from a room, or from the Earth?’
Perhaps, like me, you have questioned your sensitivities:
“What does this level of sensitivity teach me about myself and humanity? What is the difference between having empathic traits and sensitivities and having the skills and abilities of an empath?”
A functional empowered empath embodies spiritual maturity, integrity, and presence.
Can manage boundaries well. Understands what is self-created vs. from an outside source.
Recognizes when to passively observe and when to actively witness.
Knows an empathic nature is not a power or a curse, but the ability to have a larger awareness of oneness.
Can sense what is out of balance, can offer presence as a way to ground a truth.
Can mirror another’s behavior for reflection
Can feel contrary emotions simultaneously.
Is comfortable with mystery.
Has a deep reverence for the Earth and Life.
Self-care for an empath:
Journaling and playing with language as a way to give form to abstract experiences.
Create a glossary of physical sensations that communicate information to you.
Regular and consistent body work, to help regulate your nervous system. Massage, cranial sacral, rolfing, etc.
Explore which forms of meditation offer you stillness to reset your mind.
Consider using EFT to relieve anxiety and tension.
Consider that if you identify as an empath, you are on a spiritual path. The adage “hollow to be hallow” is relevant—so what lifestyle choices compromise your receptivity. Before you get to a point where you want to numb yourself, take time to be in the presence of beauty.
Self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-love is what offers you resilience and strength. You are enough.
Offer compassion over judgment—to yourself, as well.
I can respect the inner-work you have put forth to accept and embody your empathic nature and being a HSP. I can appreciate the dedication needed to break free of conformity. And I am delighted to know you as a consciousness that recognizes that we are all energy and your empathic receptivity is just your ability to be in an extended conversation with the environment and humanity.
