Have you ever walked into a room feeling perfectly fine… and within minutes, you’re suddenly anxious, sad, or drained for no obvious reason?
If so, you might not be “overly sensitive” — you might just be an empath.
The beautiful (and sometimes exhausting) truth about being an empath is this: you feel emotions deeply, even when they’re not your own. You can pick up on the energy of people, places, and even situations — like a human emotional sponge.
But here’s the problem…
If you don’t learn how to release what you’ve absorbed, you end up carrying emotions that were never yours in the first place. And that emotional weight? It can leave you feeling burned out, confused, and disconnected from your own happiness.
Today, we’re going to change that.
“But Isn’t Feeling Other People’s Emotions Just Part of Who I Am?”
Yes — but it doesn’t mean you have to keep holding them.
Being an empath isn’t about turning off your compassion or shielding yourself completely. It’s about learning how to filter and release emotions so you can stay connected without being consumed.
Think of it like this: you can enjoy swimming in the ocean without letting the waves pull you under.
Step 1: Recognize What’s Yours (and What’s Not)
The first step is awareness. When you feel a sudden mood shift, pause and ask:
- “Was I feeling this way before I walked into the room?”
- “Does this emotion have a clear trigger from my own life?”
- “Could this feeling belong to someone else?”
Often, just naming that an emotion isn’t yours takes away some of its power.
Step 2: Create a Quick Release Ritual
Emotions are energy — and energy needs movement to shift. Try:
- Shaking it off: Stand up, shake your arms, legs, and shoulders for 30 seconds.
- Breathwork: Inhale deeply for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 8. Imagine releasing the feeling with each breath.
- Water cleansing: Wash your hands or take a shower with the intention of letting the energy go down the drain.
These simple rituals signal to your body and mind: This isn’t mine. I release it.
Step 3: Build an Energetic Boundary
You don’t have to block yourself from the world — but you can set boundaries that protect your heart.
Before entering an emotionally charged space, visualize yourself surrounded by a bubble of light. This isn’t about “locking people out” — it’s about allowing love and connection in, while letting heavy energy bounce off.
Step 4: Make Emotional Detox a Habit
Don’t wait until you’re completely drained. Add regular emotional release practices into your routine:
- Journaling before bed
- Spending time in nature
- Meditation or grounding exercises
- Creative outlets (painting, dancing, music)
When releasing emotions becomes as normal as brushing your teeth, you stop storing what doesn’t belong to you.
The Bottom Line
Being an empath is a gift — you bring empathy, compassion, and understanding to a world that desperately needs it. But to keep shining your light, you have to protect your own energy.
When you can feel without holding on, love without losing yourself, and release emotions that aren’t yours, you stop feeling heavy… and start feeling free.
With genuine care,
~ Christina Kingston
Did you enjoy this post? Follow me on social media where I share cerebral thoughts, poetry, and toddler mom shenanigans! You can find me on Threads or Instagram
Discover more from The Velvet Empath
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.