c u in hell

Empathy as Social Sensitivity

Even at work, most people long for you to listen with compassion, the cornerstone of empathy. They want you to sense their discomfort or distress especially when they struggle articulating how they feel.

Humans desire to be seen and understood beyond their words. 

Empathy demonstrates you care.

You can experience empathy by noticing a person’s body language and voice, but acute sensitivity includes being open to the emotional energy vibrating between you.

You might feel this energy in your heart or gut. 

You sense not only what people feel but also what they need. 

You can tell when they need attention, acknowledgment, or an offer of help. 

You grasp when they want you to back off and give them space or when they want you to quietly stand by. 

You know when they are impatient to move on or if they want to take more time.

Empathetic Reactivity – When too much empathy is bad

With empathy, you will feel their stress, anxiety, and anger in your body. You might feel their pain emotionally and physically. 

If you let these emotions sit in your body, your body and mind can be emotionally hijacked.