Empaths: Are you turbulent, assertive or variable?
By: Bevin Niemann
Tags: Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional Intelligence, Highly Sensitive People, Empath, Highly Sensitive

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

After working with intuitive empaths for eight years, I’ve observed different energetic states that sensitive people experience. One is turbulence, which could also be called drama, chaos or complete overwhelm. This generally happens before a person realizes they are empathic and before they discover tools and daily practices to manage and improve their life.

An empath in the turbulent stage feels buffeted by all the energy around them, with no power to make it stop. They often take on other people’s pain, thinking it’s their responsibility to do so. A turbulent empath will contract their energy, withdraw, and isolate to try to keep themselves safe.

An empath in the turbulent stage merges with everything and everyone around them and has difficulty knowing where they end, and others begin. Saying no is not a part of their vocabulary, it brings up too much guilt. They secretly feel resentful because they’re always giving, and everyone seems to be taking.

Generally, there comes a watershed moment when a turbulent empath can’t take it any longer. They must make the shift from turbulent to assertive.

An assertive empath finds their voice, walks away from the drama, and learns to set healthy boundaries. They realize being self-focused is not the same as being selfish.

An assertive empath views self-care not as that annoying extra thing they have to do, but instead as a pathway to a vital life. They understand how precious their energy system is and treat it accordingly. An assertive empath listens to their inner knowing and hones their sense of discernment.

They consciously choose people, environments and activities which nurture their soul. They leave behind anything that does not.

An assertive empath actively engages in their own healing process. They face their shadow, seek forgiveness for self/others and appreciate their strengths.

They embrace their unique gifts and use them to be in service, while also asking for and receiving what they need. An assertive empath asks for help and support because they are no longer a lone wolf, but instead a crucial nodal point in a global grid of millions of lightworkers and sensitives.

Sounds wonderful, right?

Let’s talk about the most common empathic state: variable.

Because even if you’ve done all the work I just described, it’s still challenging as an extremely sensitive person to navigate an energetically intense planet. We’re impacted by collective energy and personal circumstances. We might be going along, super assertive when suddenly, turbulence returns.

The loss of a loved one, a relationship break-up, moving to a new place, replaying an old cycle with a family member, downsizing at work or perhaps a global pandemic, for example.

While it might seem ideal once you arrive at assertive to always remain there, life happens. You become a variable empath. Mostly confidence, sometimes people-pleasing. Managing your energy well on some days, feeling a bit trashed on others.

It doesn’t matter how much spiritual and personal growth you’ve done or even if you’re in service to others — you are going to be variable.

The question is not if something will come along to knock you off your game, but when. How will you respond when it happens?

I have great news. All the shadow work, meditation, healing and practices you’ve developed never go away. Like a trusted friend, when you hit a bit of turbulence, they’ll be there to help you return to balance and assertiveness.

So, if you consider these three empath states: turbulent, assertive, or variable, which are you most strongly expressing right now?

Wherever you are, is just fine.

Simply hold on and breathe through the ups and downs, knowing you will come out on the other side.

Because truthfully, I believe most empaths are variable…