When you hear the word "empath," what comes to mind?

Do you think of someone who is overly sensitive and takes on the problems of others? Or maybe you think of someone who is highly intuitive and can read people like a book. While both of these definitions are accurate, they only scratch the surface when it comes to understanding what it means to be an empath.

In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into what it means to be an empath, how to know if you're one, and some tips for managing your empath gifts. By the time you're done reading, you'll have a much better understanding of what it means to be an empath—and you might just realize that you are one, too!

What is an Empath?

At its core, being an empath means that you are highly sensitive to the energy of others. You pick up on the emotions and thoughts of those around you very easily. This can result in feeling overwhelmed in large groups or feeling like you need to take a break after spending time with certain people. It's not uncommon for empaths to feel drained after being around negative people or environments.

Empaths are also very intuitive. They often know things without knowing how they know them. This can manifest as gut feelings, hunches, or a general sense of knowing. Intuition is one of the most powerful tools an empath has—but it's also one of the hardest to trust because it goes against everything we've been taught about living in a logical world.

If any of this resonates with you, there's a good chance you're an empath. Keep reading to learn more about common empath traits and how to begin managing your abilities!

Common Empath Traits

If you're not sure whether or not you're an empath, here are some common traits associated with being an empath:

- You're highly sensitive to loud noises, bright lights, and strong smells

- You prefer spending time alone or in small groups

- You have a hard time saying "no" when people ask for help

- You tend to absorb the emotions of those around you

- You're highly intuitive

- You have a hard time watching violence or hearing about negative events

If you identify with several of these traits, there's a good chance you're an empath! But even if you only identify with one or two, that doesn't mean you're not an empath—everyone experiences empathy differently. The best way to know for sure is to find out how well you handle different situations that commonly trigger empathy responses (more on that later).

How to Begin Managing Your Empath Gifts

Now that we've answered the question "what is an empath?" it's time to talk about how to begin managing your abilities. Trust us—it's not as daunting as it may seem at first!

Here are some tips for getting started:

1. Set boundaries with yourself and others

2. Spend time in nature

3. Protect your energy

4. Be discerning with who and what you allow into your life

5. Practice meditation and mindfulness

These tips will help get you started on your journey as an empath—but remember that everyone experiences empathy differently, so trust your intuition when it comes to finding what works best for you!

We hope this beginner's guide has helped shed some light on what it means to be an empath! If anything here resonates with you, remember that there is no right or wrong way to experience empathy—it's simply a part of who you are. Trust your intuition and let it guide you as you navigate your way through this beautiful thing we call life <3