@Salwa 🇬🇧 - Such an important topic of conversation for all of us who are in the helping profession but let's be honest, regardless we all interact with those around us on a daily basis that aren't so easy to keep are balance in relation to. Great tips/advice.
And this would make one hell of a paid course by the way!
Thank you so much Bronce! You’re absolutely right...whether we’re in the helping professions or just navigating everyday relationships, emotional balance can be so hard to maintain. I’m really glad the piece spoke to you and your vote of confidence on the course means a lot! I’m definitely working on bringing it to life. 💛
I so wish someone had taught a course on this 40 years ago when I was a young student! Always an empathic child and then adult, I went into a caring profession head on. Not having a clue that crying every night with sadness was not normal or healthy. I saw my sister - a controlling and anxious person - and fought against it with empathy and by giving my whole self to those who needed a “shoulder”. We learned in a counselling course how to reflect and not to absorb, which helped, but the understanding of and word empathy was not even in our vocabulary at that time. I have only recently been able to look back and see the relationships that have hurt me so badly were as a result of not knowing how to protect myself. Please do teach!
This hit me right in the soul. I've spent most of my life confusing empathy with emotional absorption—thinking that caring meant carrying. Your line about boundaries being filters instead of walls reframed everything for me. I’ve been afraid to set emotional boundaries because I thought it meant being cold… but now I see it’s actually how I stay kind without burning out. Thank you for giving language to something I’ve felt but couldn’t explain. And yes—please make this a course. So many of us need this.
Your words truly touched me Anton..thank you. That exact confusion between caring and carrying is something I’ve wrestled with too, and I’m so glad the “filters not walls” line resonated. It’s such a powerful shift, isn’t it? Boundaries don’t make us cold...they make our care sustainable. I’m really grateful to know this spoke to you, and your encouragement for the course means the world. I promise I’m working on it. 💛
As an empath, this post really resonated for me! My childhood was difficult and at times chaotic and I think I also learned to read moods and emotional shifts because I had to really be careful to stay safe and accepted. These are great tips, and I think this would be an amazing course!
Thank you so much for sharing this Genevieve. What you described about learning to read moods for safety really hits home....it’s such a common thread for so many empaths, especially those who grew up in unpredictable environments. I’m really glad the tips resonated, and your support for the course truly means a lot 💛
Oh Salwa, your article reached me while I was deliberately sitting outside on a bench, trying to explain to myself that what I just received from a close one is not mine to feel, nor is there anything more I can do on my side. I’ve already done my best. It was 20 minutes of deep self-talk combined with feeling my body, while the sun was helping me. It is very difficult, but if we, as deeply feeling empaths, gain this filter, as you call it, the sudden lightness we feel is freeing. It truly makes sense to learn how to navigate emotional burdens that do not belong to us. Thank you for writing about this topic. 🙏🏻
Selena, thank you for sharing such a raw and honest moment. That inner self-talk, the sun, the stillness… I could feel it all. It is incredibly hard to untangle what’s ours from what isn’t, especially when we care so deeply. But yes, when we do...even just a little—the lightness that follows is so healing. I’m truly honoured the piece met you in that moment. 💛
Thank you so much Nancy...that means a lot. You’re absolutely right, this kind of emotional awareness is essential for all empaths, no matter what role they’re in. I’m really grateful it resonated with you. 💙💛💙
Love this. I can't remember who I picked up the idea from now (possibly Gabrielle Bernstein) but what's helped me is imagining that I'm wearing a cloak, and that it's shielding me from absorbing other peoples' emotions. I can still communicate with them and empathise/support them, but I'm not also taking what they're feeling into my own soul.
I love that visual Lou...t’s so powerful. That cloak idea captures it perfectly: staying open and supportive without letting it all sink into your own energy. I might borrow that image for myself—it’s such a kind way to hold space *and* protect your own peace. Thank you for sharing it!
This was beautifully written, Salwa. I especially appreciate the message that empathy doesn’t have to come at the cost of emotional peace. Your reflections on emotional boundaries are both tender and wise. It’s so common for empathetic people to lose touch with their own emotional centre, not out of weakness, but out of habit.
Thank you so much Dom...that really means a lot. You put it so beautifully: it’s not weakness, it’s habit. And for many of us, it’s a habit formed out of love, survival, or both. I’m grateful this resonated, and I’m glad we’re having more conversations around this kind of quiet emotional work
What really stands out for me is - speaking up about my limits. I admit that in my relationships I tend to grow distant vs speaking up. This was really good and I could relate in so many ways. Keep sharing! 🩷
Dallas, thank you for sharing that...speaking up about limits can feel so vulnerable, and I completely relate to pulling away instead. It’s something I’ve had to unlearn too. I’m really glad the piece resonated with you, and your words mean so much. I’ll keep sharing...thank you for being here. 🩷
Keith, thank you so much for the encouragement....it really means a lot. I’m feeling more and more certain that this course needs to exist. I so appreciate you being part of that nudge
Salwa, I would absolutely be interested in a course if you could make it affordable to disabled people on fixed, low incomes. Your ability to pause before reacting: please tell me how you do this because I really want to learn and also how to walk away when necessary. You bring up questions I can’t put into words and you have much to offer and I remain a grateful subscriber that you offer your hard won wisdom freely! Always thank you!🙏🏼 ❤️✨
Chana, this truly touched me....thank you for such kind and thoughtful words. And yes, absolutely: making the course accessible is a priority for me, especially for those on fixed or low incomes. I want it to support, not stress anyone. As for the pause before reacting… it’s still a work in progress, but I’d be honoured to share what’s helped me. Thank you for being here, for your encouragement, and for reminding me why I want to create this course. I’m so grateful for your presence. ❤️✨
I used to struggle so much with this. I would leave an interaction messed up and out-of-touch with myself. Learning meditations, Reiki and breath-work was what finally freed me. But every once in a while I get caught up in this and those are the times I have a bad day.
Tim, tank you for sharing this...it really resonates. I know that feeling so well, leaving an interaction and realising you’re no longer centred in yourself. I love that you’ve found grounding practices that help bring you back. And yes, those off days still sneak in, but the awareness you have now is such a powerful shift. Be gentle with yourself—you’re doing deep, beautiful work. 💛
This is very helpful Salwa and I appreciate how you included tips that can be implemented, as long as we actually allow ourselves to step back for a moment to practice that self-awareness. These are ideas we can actively practice during the experiences that aren't as draining so that it becomes second nature through the experiences that take more of our energy. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Lisa...I’m really glad the piece felt helpful. You said it perfectly: the key is practicing during the quieter moments, so we’re more anchored when things get heavy. That self-awareness muscle takes time to build, but it really does make such a difference. I appreciate you reflecting so thoughtfully on this. 💛
I so appreciate your drawing attention to this topic…which I so often forget about, to my own detriment. I would definitely be interested in a course in how to do this. I also like how you brought compassion into it…other writings I’ve seen on the topic haven’t done that.
Cara, thank you so much...your words really mean a lot. I know how easy it is to forget this kind of emotional boundary work, especially when we’re used to putting others first. I’m so glad the compassion came through...it's such an important part of the process for me. I’m truly grateful for your interest in the course and your presence here. 💛
Yes! Definitely the boundary or the little fence that I had to build around my empath heart and help my clients understand how to create their own boundary around their empathhearts.
Yes...I love how you put that: a little fence around the empath heart. Not to block others out, but to protect what’s sacred within. It’s such meaningful work, both for ourselves and the people we support. Thank you for sharing that image 💛
@Salwa 🇬🇧 - Such an important topic of conversation for all of us who are in the helping profession but let's be honest, regardless we all interact with those around us on a daily basis that aren't so easy to keep are balance in relation to. Great tips/advice.
And this would make one hell of a paid course by the way!
Thank you so much Bronce! You’re absolutely right...whether we’re in the helping professions or just navigating everyday relationships, emotional balance can be so hard to maintain. I’m really glad the piece spoke to you and your vote of confidence on the course means a lot! I’m definitely working on bringing it to life. 💛
I so wish someone had taught a course on this 40 years ago when I was a young student! Always an empathic child and then adult, I went into a caring profession head on. Not having a clue that crying every night with sadness was not normal or healthy. I saw my sister - a controlling and anxious person - and fought against it with empathy and by giving my whole self to those who needed a “shoulder”. We learned in a counselling course how to reflect and not to absorb, which helped, but the understanding of and word empathy was not even in our vocabulary at that time. I have only recently been able to look back and see the relationships that have hurt me so badly were as a result of not knowing how to protect myself. Please do teach!
It absolutely would make a great paid course
thank you Sam
This hit me right in the soul. I've spent most of my life confusing empathy with emotional absorption—thinking that caring meant carrying. Your line about boundaries being filters instead of walls reframed everything for me. I’ve been afraid to set emotional boundaries because I thought it meant being cold… but now I see it’s actually how I stay kind without burning out. Thank you for giving language to something I’ve felt but couldn’t explain. And yes—please make this a course. So many of us need this.
Your words truly touched me Anton..thank you. That exact confusion between caring and carrying is something I’ve wrestled with too, and I’m so glad the “filters not walls” line resonated. It’s such a powerful shift, isn’t it? Boundaries don’t make us cold...they make our care sustainable. I’m really grateful to know this spoke to you, and your encouragement for the course means the world. I promise I’m working on it. 💛
As an empath, this post really resonated for me! My childhood was difficult and at times chaotic and I think I also learned to read moods and emotional shifts because I had to really be careful to stay safe and accepted. These are great tips, and I think this would be an amazing course!
Thank you so much for sharing this Genevieve. What you described about learning to read moods for safety really hits home....it’s such a common thread for so many empaths, especially those who grew up in unpredictable environments. I’m really glad the tips resonated, and your support for the course truly means a lot 💛
Oh Salwa, your article reached me while I was deliberately sitting outside on a bench, trying to explain to myself that what I just received from a close one is not mine to feel, nor is there anything more I can do on my side. I’ve already done my best. It was 20 minutes of deep self-talk combined with feeling my body, while the sun was helping me. It is very difficult, but if we, as deeply feeling empaths, gain this filter, as you call it, the sudden lightness we feel is freeing. It truly makes sense to learn how to navigate emotional burdens that do not belong to us. Thank you for writing about this topic. 🙏🏻
Selena, thank you for sharing such a raw and honest moment. That inner self-talk, the sun, the stillness… I could feel it all. It is incredibly hard to untangle what’s ours from what isn’t, especially when we care so deeply. But yes, when we do...even just a little—the lightness that follows is so healing. I’m truly honoured the piece met you in that moment. 💛
This is so beautiful in its vulnerability. It is also important for all empaths whether they are in a helping profession or not.💙💛💙
Thank you so much Nancy...that means a lot. You’re absolutely right, this kind of emotional awareness is essential for all empaths, no matter what role they’re in. I’m really grateful it resonated with you. 💙💛💙
Love this. I can't remember who I picked up the idea from now (possibly Gabrielle Bernstein) but what's helped me is imagining that I'm wearing a cloak, and that it's shielding me from absorbing other peoples' emotions. I can still communicate with them and empathise/support them, but I'm not also taking what they're feeling into my own soul.
I love that visual Lou...t’s so powerful. That cloak idea captures it perfectly: staying open and supportive without letting it all sink into your own energy. I might borrow that image for myself—it’s such a kind way to hold space *and* protect your own peace. Thank you for sharing it!
This was beautifully written, Salwa. I especially appreciate the message that empathy doesn’t have to come at the cost of emotional peace. Your reflections on emotional boundaries are both tender and wise. It’s so common for empathetic people to lose touch with their own emotional centre, not out of weakness, but out of habit.
Thank you so much Dom...that really means a lot. You put it so beautifully: it’s not weakness, it’s habit. And for many of us, it’s a habit formed out of love, survival, or both. I’m grateful this resonated, and I’m glad we’re having more conversations around this kind of quiet emotional work
What really stands out for me is - speaking up about my limits. I admit that in my relationships I tend to grow distant vs speaking up. This was really good and I could relate in so many ways. Keep sharing! 🩷
Dallas, thank you for sharing that...speaking up about limits can feel so vulnerable, and I completely relate to pulling away instead. It’s something I’ve had to unlearn too. I’m really glad the piece resonated with you, and your words mean so much. I’ll keep sharing...thank you for being here. 🩷
Salwa, my thoughts after reading your post are similar to @Dr. Bronce Rice. Go for it - create that course 🌱
Keith, thank you so much for the encouragement....it really means a lot. I’m feeling more and more certain that this course needs to exist. I so appreciate you being part of that nudge
Salwa, I would absolutely be interested in a course if you could make it affordable to disabled people on fixed, low incomes. Your ability to pause before reacting: please tell me how you do this because I really want to learn and also how to walk away when necessary. You bring up questions I can’t put into words and you have much to offer and I remain a grateful subscriber that you offer your hard won wisdom freely! Always thank you!🙏🏼 ❤️✨
Chana, this truly touched me....thank you for such kind and thoughtful words. And yes, absolutely: making the course accessible is a priority for me, especially for those on fixed or low incomes. I want it to support, not stress anyone. As for the pause before reacting… it’s still a work in progress, but I’d be honoured to share what’s helped me. Thank you for being here, for your encouragement, and for reminding me why I want to create this course. I’m so grateful for your presence. ❤️✨
I used to struggle so much with this. I would leave an interaction messed up and out-of-touch with myself. Learning meditations, Reiki and breath-work was what finally freed me. But every once in a while I get caught up in this and those are the times I have a bad day.
Tim, tank you for sharing this...it really resonates. I know that feeling so well, leaving an interaction and realising you’re no longer centred in yourself. I love that you’ve found grounding practices that help bring you back. And yes, those off days still sneak in, but the awareness you have now is such a powerful shift. Be gentle with yourself—you’re doing deep, beautiful work. 💛
This is very helpful Salwa and I appreciate how you included tips that can be implemented, as long as we actually allow ourselves to step back for a moment to practice that self-awareness. These are ideas we can actively practice during the experiences that aren't as draining so that it becomes second nature through the experiences that take more of our energy. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Lisa...I’m really glad the piece felt helpful. You said it perfectly: the key is practicing during the quieter moments, so we’re more anchored when things get heavy. That self-awareness muscle takes time to build, but it really does make such a difference. I appreciate you reflecting so thoughtfully on this. 💛
I need this and thank you very much. I am subscribed and glad I got this in my email today!
I’m so glad it reached you when you needed it. Thank you for subscribing and for being here...it truly means a lot! 💛
I so appreciate your drawing attention to this topic…which I so often forget about, to my own detriment. I would definitely be interested in a course in how to do this. I also like how you brought compassion into it…other writings I’ve seen on the topic haven’t done that.
Cara, thank you so much...your words really mean a lot. I know how easy it is to forget this kind of emotional boundary work, especially when we’re used to putting others first. I’m so glad the compassion came through...it's such an important part of the process for me. I’m truly grateful for your interest in the course and your presence here. 💛
Yes! Definitely the boundary or the little fence that I had to build around my empath heart and help my clients understand how to create their own boundary around their empathhearts.
Yes...I love how you put that: a little fence around the empath heart. Not to block others out, but to protect what’s sacred within. It’s such meaningful work, both for ourselves and the people we support. Thank you for sharing that image 💛
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