As empaths, we’re sometimes told that we’re gifted. The rest of the time we’re told that we’re cursed. We have a sense of both sides at different times. But how did we get this way? We weren’t born this way. We evolved into what we are. As children, we were probably placed in a situation constantly of some kind of torment or abuse. You may say you were never really abused, but there are different kinds of abuse. Any situation in which you were told your natural inclinations were wrong, or you felt you always had to be on guard to defend yourself can be considered abusive. And from this torment, you learned to read people and be more sensitive to them and the nuances of your environment. Because you learned that you needed to be prepared and have your guard up at all times.  So one thing all empaths have in common is that we feel vulnerable like we have to protect ourselves against...well...everyone...and everything. Since we’re ultra-sensitive and we feel everything, we feel the pain and sadness of others and we take it all unto ourselves. And it’s easy to get overwhelmed. So, as adults, we often close ourselves off in order to avoid the depression and anxiety that often comes with it. This is what leads us to believe we’re cursed. But are we cursed, really?

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