and so do you.

What are you up to this weekend?

Whatever you do, wherever you go– pay attention to the vibe/energy you allow into your space and decide if it’s right for you. Do you allow other people to suck the life-blood right out of you then moan and groan, whine and complain about how negative they are instead of simply walking away? I get it. I would continually put my hand in the fire over and over like an insane person then wonder why I got burned. It started in childhood. It was confusing because I was both an extroverted lover of people, enjoyed team sports and group activities, but also cherished playing in my room by myself drawing for hours in peace and quiet.

It took years of growth, maturity, gaining respect for myself to set boundaries and learn what it meant to be a hyper-sensitive, feely, empathetic extroverted-introvert. 

But, let’s keep it to energy and save the extroverted-introvert convo for another day. As an empath and sponge to other people’s energy, I had to learn how to consciously choose to either feel or deflect someone’s vibe. Definitely one of the many lessons I learned in LA when you’re dealing with a zillion people everywhere on auditions, walking the streets, traffic, etc. The peaceful hiking trails were even stressful at times because they were crowded with people traffic. For real.

Many allow it to debilitate them, cause major anxiety and even agoraphobia. How about you? Do you need a glass of wine or a Xanax to get out of the house to that huge event? I get that, too. We can take control of this. We can choose to take on someone’s energy or walk away. For years, I was not cognizant of how this effected me physically. Literally, if I allow a negative persons energy to invade my space or spirit– I will get nauseous, maybe a headache, and feel very tired. Pay attention to those who “drain” you!

Raise your awareness of how you feel in your spirit and your physical body when you encounter a toxic person.

Limit your time with them even when it’s a close friend or family member. It can be both a blessing and a burden to be an empath so I’m sharing a few ways to protect yourself: 

WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF: 

• Distance yourself and set boundaries. Negative Nellies love to wallow and set up camp in their misery. Misery loves company so basically tell them to go find some other miserable people to talk to because you are not one of them. Yes, it’s tough love and there is a grace period for listening and wanting to be constructive to our loved ones without getting sucked into their pity party.  Use your #Ladyballs and speak up. I’ve actually told a friend, “you have only 15 minutes and then I’m finished with this topic that you’ve been rehashing for like, eternity already”.. then suggest a lighter fun topic. YOU DECIDE YOUR VIBE.
• Set aside daily time for self-care. Taking the time to mediate, pray, workout, take a walk, take a bubble bath and fill yourself up with positivity will give you a level of tolerance for the energy vampires, but it also gives you more love and respect for yourself, your time and your space. YOU DECIDE YOUR VIBE.
• Let go. For years, I tried to take responsibility for other peoples happiness.  Talk about nearly killing myself.  Free yourself from trying to change a negative person. We can’t change people and we are ultimately the insane one if we try to. Period. YOU DECIDE YOUR VIBE.
• Pray for protection. I’m not perfect and sometimes forget, but I try to make it daily habit to ask God to protect me and cover me with His full armor. (for more go to Ephesians 6:10-18) Especially if I’m going into a place with tons of people. Seriously, we can be assaulted at any moment by a Negative Nellie leaving us needing to run home for a spiritual bath, head spinning and glazed over. Sometimes it’s as simple as walking into an event and whispering the tiny, but powerful prayer “Lord, help me.”  YOU DECIDE YOUR VIBE…and YOUR vibe decides your tribe, too.

Are you an empath and found a great way to protect yourself and live life to the full? 

Please share.