A healing conversation for those who love deeply and feel everything.
I see it on the faces of potential clients. We get on a Zoom call for a conversation about their struggles, hopes and dreams.
I feel their low energy level, and see the exhaustion in their body language. In fact, it’s palpable.
Often they’ve been busy helping others in their life: Parents, children, their spouse, animals, etc. Everyone else is a priority, and they’ve lost sight of who they are and how to nurture themselves again. (And I’m here having this conversation with you because I’ve been there many times, and I can still go there.)
This can happen because empaths feel what others are going through, so it affects us too. Then we want to “fix” the situation for those around us so that we can feel relief from others struggles.
Until it backfires. Because now we’ve been so busy trying to put out all of the fires around us, that the flames from our own fire are growing.
Then we become engulfed in the flames of our own life, and we may not have the support we need to put them out. And now it’s out of control, we’ve burned ourselves out and feel stuck.
So, what do you do in that situation? It’s time for a self-triage.
Here’s some suggestions to help put out the flames and feel relief:
- Stop, go within, and get into the NOW. Don’t worry about the past or the future, but be present and in the moment. Breathe.
- Take a break. Get a massage, get your nails done, take a bath, or whatever will relax you.
- Listen to your body and soul: What do you need? Are you hungry, thirsty, or need something else?
- Get some rest, because you’re probably depleted. Take a nap without guilt because you deserve it.
- And if your adrenals are fatigued (which they probably are from being a sensitive person), then besides rest, you need to get some added nutrients: Vitamins, herbs, nutritious food, etc. Splurge on the good stuff.
- Be aware of cravings: Are you feeding your emotions? What do you REALLY need to feel better instead of filling yourself with empty calories? (Get out a journal if this is the case, and let your emotions out for self-reflection.)
- Get yourself out in nature for grounding. (At this moment, I’m on my laptop and I too have to remind myself to get some fresh air and connect with the earth, plants, etc.)
- Trust your intuition. Those of us sensitive souls have an awesome intuition, but sometimes we forget to listen to it because of all of the outside noise. If you don’t know how, here’s another article in The Animal Empath Journal – and remember to subscribe for more tips.
- Are you getting support, or are you a lone wolf who’s supporting everyone else? It’s important to have others who are there for you too. (Join the Facebook group here for support, prompts and insight.)
Don’t allow yourself to feel overwhelmed by this list. Use these suggestions as loving reminders, and pick and choose what resonates with YOU now.
Always remember that you can’t help others effectively if you can’t help yourself first. Be your own best friend and make yourself a priority.
And when you practice this self-love, then you’ll love life more. Not to mention, you’ll have more joy and energy to be there when you’re needed.
If this message speaks to your heart, you’re not alone.
Compassion fatigue doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means your empathy is real, deep, and asking to be honored in a new way. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from your path, or simply in need of a safe space to receive clarity, I offer a complimentary Clarity & Purpose Call.
This is a virtual, heart-centered session where I tune in to both you and the animal energies around you to receive intuitive messages that support your healing, direction, and peace of mind.
You don’t have to carry it all alone. Learn more or book your call here.
