Energetic Boundaries: A Lifeline for the Deeply Empathic
For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt everything—not just my own emotions and aches, but the experiences of those around me. I didn’t understand the depth of this until one particular day arrived with a clarity I couldn’t ignore.
One of my young guitar students came in for his lesson, mentioning he’d had a stomachache all day. After checking that he was okay and his parents were aware, we dove into his favorite music. He left smiling and lighter. But as he walked out the door… I suddenly had the stomachache.
And I knew without a doubt—it wasn’t mine.
This wasn’t the first time I’d absorbed something from someone else. It was just the first time I was awake enough to notice. I had spent my life unknowingly soaking in the energy of others like a sponge—confusing their emotions, pain, or exhaustion for my own.
Suddenly, I was facing a big question:
How do I tell what’s mine and what I’ve absorbed from others?
If you’re nodding your head right now, you might be among the growing number of people awakening to their empathic gifts. But without awareness and tools, empathy can become overwhelming—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Even the medical world recognizes this phenomenon. They’ve coined the term Compassion Fatigue—a condition whose symptoms often mirror PTSD. That’s how serious unchecked empathy can become.
When I read an article in the Calgary Herald years ago, titled “Are You an Empath?” by Albert Nerenberg, I finally felt seen. It explored empathy as a biological trait, rooted in mirror neurons—cells in our brains that help us literally feel what others feel.
So, what does it really mean to be an empath? You might recognize yourself in some of these traits:
- Highly sensitive senses—sight, smell, touch, sound, taste
- Deep emotional attunement to others, even to the point of taking on their physical symptoms
- Startling easily or crying readily
- Feeling anxious in crowds or chaotic environments
- Having a deep need for harmony and avoidance of conflict
- Being a magnet for people’s stories—strangers confide in you without knowing why
- Children and animals are naturally drawn to you
- The weather, music, or energy of a room can deeply affect you
- You perceive with your heart—this is your superpower
Empaths are beautiful souls. But if you don’t have strong energetic boundaries, that beauty can become buried under layers of overwhelm and burnout.
Right now, we’re swimming in an ocean of energetic noise. And for those of us who feel everything, that ocean can become a storm.
So let me ask you:
Have you set up your energetic boundaries?
I can tell you from experience—navigating this world as an empath requires a well-stocked toolbox. I’ve spent years collecting, testing, and teaching practices that help manage deep sensitivity with grace and clarity.
If you would like to explore more about energetic boundaries, check out our August webinar: Is This Mine? Tools for Empaths and the Energetically Sensitive on Thursday, August 14 at 6pm MST
This webinar is for you if you’re tired of being the emotional sponge for everyone else. We’ll explore why this happens, how to spot subtle boundary violations, and what you can do to stay balanced and energized—even around difficult people or environments. Because sometimes, it’s just not yours to carry.
Register here: https://wellnessuniverse.learnitlive.com/Class/Is-This-Mine–Tools-for-Empaths-and-the-Energetically-Sensitive/26752
In Health and Harmony,
