Growing up, my parents always referred to me as "The Princess and the Pea." This was due to my extreme sensitivity which they found exasperating. The nickname came from a story by Hans Christian Andersen in which a princess was unable to fall asleep on a pile of twenty mattresses with just a tiny pea underneath the bottom one. While I was never that bad I was damn close, and my ultra-sensitivity was apparently enough to drive my mother crazy; she developed early-onset Alzheimer's at age 57 and died at 62.
As
an adult I am currently engaged in driving my husband crazy, although
let's face it, he was halfway there when we met. Still, I walk around
the house turning off all the lights because of the glare, complain that
cashmere blankets are scratchy, insist that the furnace is making an
odd hum that's not right, dump out a new bottle of wine that tastes
"off" or declare that something in the refrigerator smells "funny," none
of which he can detect.
I always thought I was nuts because seeing a dog locked inside a parked car (Man's Best Friend, ha!)
brings tears to my eyes, making a simple trip to the supermarket
fraught with danger. Ditto reading the newspaper. But recently I have
come to find out I am not crazy, I am simply hyper-empathic, or
an "empath." Sort of a human sponge, I feel too much and there's nothing
I can do about. Following are the most common traits of an empath; who
knows, you might be one too.
Soul Survivor: Feels less stressed when alone.
Leave Me Alone: In close relationships, requires distance and periods of solitude.
Ouch!: Highly sensitive to sounds, smells, bright lights and the feel of certain fabrics.
I'm So Tired: Often suffers with fatigue and feels drained following social interactions.
Whatever You Want: In relationships or friendships, feels that the needs of
others trump their own. Agrees to things they don't want to do to
please others.
What Was Your Name Again?: Connects very quickly and deeply with total strangers.
Let Me Help: Drawn to people who
are who are ill or have been victimized in some way, wanting to heal them or make their world better.
What's Really Going On?: Unable
to take things at face value, they are constantly searching for answers that might explain the situation.
That Poor Doggie!: Connects strongly with the
animal kingdom and identifies with their emotional and
physical pains.
Let Me Out: Are most at peace when spending time in nature.
Did You Say Something?: Easily
distracted when doing things they don’t enjoy, they zone out in situations where the mind
is not stimulated.
I'm Not Going There: Crowded
places like sports arenas, large concert venues and shopping malls
cause anxiety and require downtime following excursions to such venues.
Not A Party Animal: Struggle to relax and enjoy themselves groups
unless they are extremely comfortable with those surrounding
them.
Artsy-Fartsy: Creative
and highly imaginative. Writing, art, music, dance, building and design
are pastimes they are passionate about and happiest doing.
Neat Freak: Prefers living space to be clutter-free and minimalistic, believing that chaotic surroundings make for chaotic minds.
Tell Me Everything: Often used as a sounding board or
dumping ground by those seeking to unload their problems.
certainly sounds like you! 17 for 17 . . . I love you for who you are, even if it is a little crazy-driving :-)
ReplyDeleteand yeah, fair enough i was alread half there . . .
ReplyDelete