An Empath’s View on Negativity
Start writing a post
Student Life

As An Empath, Here Is My View On Negativity And Maintaining Your Mental Health

Being aware of the way your surroundings affect you is the first step in maintaining your mental health.

171
As An Empath, Here Is My View On Negativity And Maintaining Your Mental Health
Bridget MacPherson

Energy is powerful. Regardless of your level of belief or practice, there is something to be said about the energy individuals exude into the universe. There are undeniable instances in life where you can feel a certain way about someone's presence without a specific explanation. Think about it, we have all been there when someone has just rubbed us the wrong way, without any definitive proof. Conversely, I for one have certainly experienced the phenomenon of someone "lighting up a room" without saying a word.

All of this being said, I think there is a distinct difference between recognizing energy and being affected by energy. I can go on and on about this topic, but basically, I see personalities on a spectrum with rejection and acceptance of energies on either side. On the far left, you would find your textbook evading, narcissist type. This person does not recognize nor absorb anyone's energy but their own. On the far left, you will find your intuitive empath. This person recognizes and embraces other people's emotions to the extreme. Now neither side is good or bad, they are just two extreme personality types. Further, most people fall within this range of personalities. Depending on your mood or current stage of life you may vary, but for the most part, the majority of people fall somewhere in the middle.

I for one, identify as an intuitive empath, the far left extreme. This is something that has always been innate within me, but I did not learn how to verbalize it until about a year ago. I never understood why my mood could change so quickly between different social situations. I never understood the extent to which other people's energies could affect my own. I attributed my social downfalls to things like social anxiety, but honestly, I was never satisfied with that answer. I knew that there had to be more than an imbalance in my brain because I could never pinpoint a reason for my shifts in emotion.

Thank goodness for my mother who opened my mind to my role as an intuitive empath. Being one herself and enduring similar struggles, she took it upon herself to do some research (which I would totally suggest doing if you are at all interested in this kind of study) and found out about this personality type. When we sat together that day and spoke about my unknown sources of sadness and unease, her explanation hit me like a truck. I finally understood that it wasn't just me and my emotions affecting my psyche, but those emotions surrounding me as well. It was such an invigorating, eye-opening moment to know WHY I had been feeling this way for so long.

This is why I say that there is a difference between detecting and embracing others' emotions. Learning that there was a group of personalities who were extremely affected by emotion, and then learning that I was apart of that group, has been more than half the battle of dealing with my mental identity and its downfalls. I now know how to handle myself in negative or tense situations, and have come to appreciate even more the people who help light up my life.

There is something to be said about the influence one person can have on their surrounding environment. Wherever you are on the spectrum, recognizing the importance of energy and emotions in your life can provide great insight into the way you as an individual deal with social interactions and other types of taxing situations.

I bring this all to your attention to show that self-introspection is one of the great tools we have as humans to work through the intricacies of daily life. Without recognition and acceptance of ourselves and our varying attributes, there is a great risk of misunderstanding and neglect invading our society of social interactions.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55744
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35937
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957932
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

186784
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments