clairempathy
The Empath’s Guide To Toxic Friendships
Our friends are a beautiful and enriching part of our lives. In some cases, they even become our chosen family through the bonds of mutual caring and shared life experiences.
Healthy friendships are built on a foundation of balance. They’re marked by mutual support, trust, loyalty, acceptance, and honesty, all with a touch of compassion. But for the empath or highly sensitive person, friendships can sometimes be a bit of a rollercoaster.
We might feel like we’re always giving and giving, and sometimes we might even feel drained. It can be hard to know when to draw the line with someone who might be taking advantage of our energy.
Friendships can be so many different things, and it’s important to remember that not all of them are the same. They range from casual acquaintances to deep, intimate bonds we form with those we call our “besties.”
It’s so important to have a close friend you can trust with your most private fears, dreams, and vulnerabilities. But, sadly, this isn’t always the reality. If you’re the kind of person who is sensitive to the feelings of others, you know how hard it can be when you’re betrayed or disappointed by someone close to you. It can feel like the saying “keep your enemies close” is true in these situations.
Some of us are more outgoing and have a large social circle, while others are more introverted and have a small social circle. Empaths can fall into either category. Regardless of which category an empath falls into, it is wise for us to exercise discernment.
My Childhood Psychic Awakening
Being gifted from an early age, I had lots of questions, and wanted specific, detailed answers about psychic phenomena, spirituality and the mystical. This later became my norm to everything, and the world around me. The why’s and how’s continue to fascinate me in every aspect of my life.
My spirit guides have been very helpful over the years, as I found that humans can seldom answer my questions clearly, nor adequately. Over the years, my guides provided me with the stepping stones for my personal psychic development.
My guides assured me early on that they would never give me more than I could handle. They also made it clear that the truth of anything can always be confirmed by simply asking. I believed them, and each time I had an unusual sense or feeling, I asked for confirmation. I still do.
My first paranormal encounters and psychic experiences were with the animals. Their energy and communication is easier to understand, just like my guides, and they always communicate with unconditional love.
This also led to a special bond with nature, and especially the trees. Soon after came the wind, and the water, their sounds so soothing and calm. As a child, I always experienced a deep, tranquil feeling of well-being, serenity and inner peace whenever I was outside in nature. I still do.
My next extra-sensory experiences were of premonitions and forebodings concerning the safety and well-being of others. At such a young age these presentiments were tricky to relay to adults.
Paranormal, Or Perinormal?
When we hear the word “paranormal,” we often think of ghosts, psychic abilities, or UFO sightings. But what does the term really mean?
Many of us have had moments that feel mysterious or beyond our understanding — experiences that challenge the way we see the world. What’s interesting is that these experiences aren’t always “paranormal” in the traditional sense — they may actually be “perinormal.”
Understanding the difference between these two ideas can help us see our everyday experiences in a new light, making it easier to connect with the mystical side of life without feeling overwhelmed by the unknown.
“The word “paranormal” comes from the Greek word “para,” which means “outside” or “beyond” normal. It refers to things that are beyond the limits of what we can scientifically measure or explain.
Paranormal experiences, such as ghost sightings or psychic phenomena, defy logic and leave a lasting impact on those who experience them. They’re those mystical or supernatural experiences that break the rules of reality and are completely “outside of normal.”
“Perinormal, on the other hand, comes from the word “peri,” meaning “around” or “near.”. These experiences are on the edge of “normal” — they’re those things we sense, feel, or observe that are related to subtle, measurable energies or natural laws, but also remain mysterious and unexplained.
Perinormal experiences show us that the spiritual and mystical are often much closer to reality than we realize – they just exist in a space we do not yet fully understand, or perhaps never will?
Angelic Energy Maintenance For Empaths
As an empath and psychic counselor, I have had to learn how best to navigate the intense energies that come with working with others.
Early on, I often found myself drained, overwhelmed, and weighed down by emotional clutter that wasn’t even mine. I didn’t realize how much I was absorbing from clients, loved ones, and even strangers.
Over time, I’ve learned that clearing and protecting my energy is essential not only for my well-being, but also for maintaining clarity in my work. By understanding how to release what doesn’t belong to me and strengthen my auric boundaries, I have been able to thrive both personally and professionally.
Being an empath means that you’re highly sensitive and deeply attuned to the emotions and energy of those around you. You naturally absorb the feelings of others, which can often result in you carrying the emotional weight of others.
This pattern shows up not only in romantic relationships, but also in work, family, and friendships. If you’re constantly picking up the extremes of other people’s energy, it can leave you feeling heavy, drained, irritable, and disconnected from yourself – as if nothing you try makes a difference. This happens because instead of directing your own energy, you’re constantly processing someone else’s.
Empaths are like emotional air purifiers, prone to absorbing the energies of everyone around them – whether it’s a stranger in the grocery store, your partner, your boss, or your family. When your aura becomes clogged and dysfunctional, you experience heaviness, discomfort, and emotional instability.
My Mystical Encounter With A Music Box
I go through my house at least once a year to get rid of some of the clutter. I even have a large bin labeled “donate,” and when stuff has outlived its usefulness, it goes in there.
Recently, I took some of these unwanted items to the charity thrift store they were intended for.
Whenever I go into an antique or thrift store, I immediately lower my psychic awareness and energetically shield myself as a precaution. I have to, or the energy residue and imprints in those places will wreak havoc on my auric well-being and state of mind.
Not protecting my energy and not blocking out incoming psychic impressions in such an energetically dense environment would be like hanging out at a funeral home, absorbing everyone’s sadness and grief and then taking it home with me. It is basically the psychic empath equivalent of sunbathing on the beach for hours without sunscreen!
Before I learned how to “unplug” and “shield up,” I would feel so unbalanced and completely drained afterwards that I would lie in bed for days to recharge my batteries. I would feel overwhelmed with emotional and psychic overload, which is both mentally and physically toxic. Fortunately, over the years I have learned how to protect my auric energy and “turn off” my psychic abilities to use at my discretion only when needed.
After dropping off my bags at the store, the man behind the counter went into sales mode and excitedly informed me that he had just received a ton of cool new items. His sales pitch was charming, and I decided to poke around the store for a few minutes to see what I could find. I had no intention of buying anything, and thankfully I didn’t. I didn’t need any more clutter!
An Empath’s Intervention Can Save A Life
This morning after I finished meditating, instead of logging on to work as usual, I felt intuitively guided to visit a local coffee shop that I had visited a few days before.
While I was there I had noticed a girl working there who seemed extremely sad. Her aura clearly showed me this. I also intuitively saw that she had probably been crying before she came in that day.
While waiting for my order, I tuned into her energy field to see what information I could get to help her, even indirectly. Normally I would not do this in public, but this poor girl really tugged at my heartstrings for some reason.
I immediately had more intuitive flashes about her and her boyfriend. I saw him being very mean, controlling and abusive to her, and also cheating on her with numerous women.
I also realised that she was living with him instead of him. I had a strong feeling that if she stayed there with him, things would get really bad in the long run – to the point where she might even have to go to a refuge for victims of domestic violence.
But as we did not know each other, I did not feel it was my place to interfere by giving her unsolicited advice. Nor did I want to embarrass her or myself! So I just prayed for her in silence and sent her some healing energy, but kept my premonitions and insights to myself.
Why Do Empaths And Sensitives Often Feel Drained?
Have you ever left a meeting or social gathering feeling completely drained or energetically depleted?
Or maybe you’ve walked out of a store or other public place and noticed that you were short with your loved ones and irritable? Or you come home in the evening feeling sad or depressed for no apparent reason, after starting the day feeling cheerful and happy?
If this happens to you often, it is very likely that you are an empath or a highly sensitive person.
Empaths and highly sensitive people (HSPs) often feel drained by other people, social gatherings, crowds and certain environments due to several key aspects of their inherent nature and the way they interact with the world around them. Here are the major reasons for this phenomenon:
Genetic predisposition: Research suggests that the trait of high sensitivity is influenced by genetic factors that affect how individuals process sensory information and emotional stimuli. A key aspect of this genetic influence is the way the brain processes serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, appetite, sleep, and sensory perception. Variations in genes related to the serotonin transporter have been linked to differences in emotional reactivity and sensitivity to the environment. Studies have shown that individuals with certain variations of these genes may exhibit traits consistent with high sensitivity, such as deeper cognitive processing of sensory information, higher emotional reactivity, and increased empathy.