But with that sensitivity comes its challenges, including “being an emotional and physical sponge, absorbing the negativity and stress of the world,” Orloff adds. “Empaths who don’t have the self-care strategies in place tend to experience sensory overload.” They also need to learn that “No” is a complete sentence, she says. And as far as relationships, Tanya Carroll Richardson, professional intuitive and author of Self-Care for Empaths, says empaths can be in a romantic relationship with anyone, but she tells them to “watch for trying to manage, contain, or change a lover’s emotions,” adding they can “feel the energies and emotions of others intimately in their own systems, yet this does not mean an empath is responsible for someone else’s emotional experience.” For empaths, it’s so important to get in touch with themselves, be able to recognize what is and isn’t their own, and know when it’s time to recharge. By knowing what kind of empath you are, you can foster healthier, deeper relationships, stay grounded, and use your skills in a powerful way.
