An intuitive empath is a sensitive person who is also highly intuitive and tapped in spiritually, energetically, or to their gut instinct. I know this from personal experience, both as one myself and as someone who has supported empaths in client sessions.
As an empath, you are inherently sensitive and intuitive, meaning that deep down you usually know the answers to your questions. That, however, may come as a surprise to you! We often get disconnected from our truth through life’s ups and downs and traumas, and also as a byproduct of this society that tends to overvalue logic and linear thinking. It therefore becomes about getting in touch with that inner voice, trusting it, and having the courage to act on it. This applies to all of us too, not just empaths — which is really just a label. We each have the capacity to tap into our innate intuition, as a spiritual being in a human body. Some of us are simply more attuned from birth, or more inclined to explore this ability.
Empath or highly sensitive person (HSP) refers to a small percentage of the population who feel and sense at a heightened level. They have strong intuition, emotions, and energy fields. Empaths sense the emotions of others, and may even have supernatural abilities (beware of false prophets, however). They pick up on energy or emotions, as well as gut feelings, that others miss. Intuitive empaths have particularly strong instincts that may include being psychic. Relatedly, they often “know” things, suddenly or out of the blue. This is also called claircognizance (clear seeing).
Because of these traits, highly sensitive people may feel drained when they spend time in large groups or crowds (or with certain people). They may leave gatherings early due to depleted energy levels or feel alienated from traditional establishments, belief systems, or roles. For more detail around triggers for empaths, read this blog here. In more extreme cases, the empath dissociates or energetically leaves their body due to overwhelm.
Here are the hallmark signs and traits of intuitive empaths. You may resonate with some or all of these:
Intuitive empaths often experience intuition as gut feelings and inner knowing. This is the most common manifestation or way it shows up. Pay attention to your hunches, flashes of insight, and instincts. They are not meaningless or random; in most cases, that is the TRUTH. On the other hand, the fear voice or inner critic tends to be loud or intrusive. Gut instincts are usually subtle, soft, and loving.
For more detail about the different types of empaths, read my blog here. I usually say intuitive empaths are roughly the second most common type, behind emotional empaths (or classic empaths, where the intuition is mostly via sensing emotional energy). There are also physical empaths, animal empaths, earth empaths, dream empaths, and plant empaths. Each has a unique strength and flavor to their intuitive abilities.
Here are some practical strategies for sensitive people to protect their energy. For more in depth information, read this blog here.
Judith Orloff, MD is one of the most reliable sources for empath-related reading. Check out her book, The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People. I also recommend going with what calls you, with discernment. Vet the authors’ background, credentials, life experience as an empath, and reviews. You can also stay tuned for my forthcoming ebook! It’s written for you, full of secrets to a full, healthy life as a sensitive person.
Because of their unique gifts and challenges, sensitive souls may be inclined to certain careers, and not to others. Here are a few of the best career paths for empaths. Reflect on your own inner knowing around what feels right professionally to support your mental health and sensitivity.
I’m partial to this one, for obvious reasons! 🙂 As an intuitive empath myself, I’ve always been a writer. Content development of various kinds is great for empaths because it allows their innate creativity and intuition to flow and guide their work. It also tends to be a solo activity, insulating from external influences. This can be balanced with group meetings, consultations, or feedback sessions.
The helping professions require a level of sensitivity to be effective, in my opinion. Finding a balance between tuning into others and holding boundaries is usually the key for empaths as a mental health professional or coach. This career can be very fulfilling and a productive outlet for people with high empathy. I’ve also worked in this space, as a grief recovery specialist and holistic coach.
For the reasons I shared above, flexibility and the option to work remotely or independently are ideal for empaths. Thus, being self-employed is highly appealing. Entrepreneurship can take the form of offering a product or service or consulting in some capacity. Empaths excel at tailored advice and being an expert in a specific area as well.
When it comes to advice from others, I’m positing something a bit radical. But the truth is that people’s opinions are always their own, and thus projections (to a greater or lesser extent). This means that they are filtered through and come from that person’s background, conditioning (patterns and beliefs), and consciousness. It’s not a criticism, it’s just the nature of reality and humans. No one is doing anything wrong, it simply is.
Now, there are certainly healthy ways in which you can still receive advice. If you are lucky enough to have a confidante or two whom you trust, who you know has your best interests at heart, a good head on his/her shoulders, and some level of perceptive awareness, you can surely get some good advice at times. However, the predominant source of knowing and affirmation should be yourself. If it’s not, you’re at risk of consistently (and frantically, as I often did) seeking validation and answers from everyone from your neighbor, to the barista at Starbucks, to charlatan practitioners and other questionable sources. We’ve all been there. But ask yourself why you are resisting going inward.
And I’m not saying to never ask for advice or support, just be mindful with any guidance you receive from others and let it sit. Does it resonate? Does it feel intuitively like this is coming from THEIR life story or experience or belief system, and if so, does that match with yours? If it doesn’t, totally fine, just put your own instincts first. This is one of the foundations of what it means to love and honor yourself.
When and if you are ready to tune into your authentic truth and voice, simply take a few minutes to sit still. Take some deep breaths and focus your attention on your heart chakra (in the center of your chest). Bring to mind your question or concern. You may ask any spiritual guides you have or would like to connect to, to come in and help as well (optional). Keep breathing. Notice what messages or feelings arise. If you are pondering a question, does option A make you feel expansive or contracted? This is a really good gauge for almost everything. Then consider option B and so on; expansive or contracted? You have your yes, or no, respectively. Your body knows, because your body is your subconscious. It’s also connected to your energy field and soul much more so than your mind.
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments! I’d love to hear. And remember to stand strong in your intuitive power. Being sensitive is a gift when you learn to harness it well. For further support or questions and to get an update when I release my ebook for empaths, feel free to email me at erin@centeredone.com.
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