Navigating the Jungle As An Empath

Today’s society is a dangerous jungle if you are an empath. Feelings are so fragile these days and people are easily offended or hurt. Since empaths pick up on the emotional energy of others, they can quickly pick up on the level of emotional pain that other people feel.

Whether it be in cyberspace or the real world, we feel those sharp daggers to the heart from the words or actions of others. People are too quick to see the offensive side of a situation or the words of others.

So many misunderstandings occur because of differing interpretations of words, actions or the two together. One of the biggest problems in this social jungle we live in is that the rule of thumb has become “every man for himself”, or “eat or be eaten.”

We’ve forgotten how to care about each other as equals. Instead, people tend to look for a way that they can control or exploit everyone and everything around them.

Here in the jungle, only the rich, healthy and handsome people are considered worthy of life. Whether they are caring or compassionate makes no difference.

Empaths are naturally compassionate because we feel what others do. The minute we hurt someone else’s feelings we know it, because we feel the same stab to the heart that they do.

As you might expect, it’s a lot harder for an empath to keep themselves safe in a dog-eat-dog world such as ours now is. Social media is a minefield.

So, what do you do if you are an empath? How do you navigate the world we have to live in? What can you do to stay safe?

If I’m being honest, my instinct is to go hide in a corner somewhere and let the world go on without me. Of course, that’s the wrong answer (but it sure sounds comforting, doesn’t it?) We are here at this time to help balance socie\ety. We need to do our part to help our world to offset the selfish personalities. Our gifts are sorely needed.

There are things we can do to help protect ourselves while we help others. One of the best things to do is to find a safe place to recharge when we are overcome by jungle noise. I have a quiet park where I can be alone. Here I can pray, write out my emotions, sit in silence, and feel peace or ground myself walking in the grass. Make it a priority to find this time for yourself.

Secondly, find your tribe. There are others like you, feeling the same things you are feeling, dealing with the same pains you have. I found a good group on Facebook for empaths, but you can search in other places for similar souls. You can even find them in real life. Trust your instincts to find others like you.

Thirdly, work to create the world you want to live in. Move past your fears and smile at strangers. Open doors for others. Be an example for others to learn from. You’d be surprised at how much a kind gesture can change the life of another person.

Kindness is contagious even in this crazy jungle world. Start a chain reaction.

Above all else, remember that you aren’t alone. There are others out there like you.