Do you feel exhausted, frustrated, unfulfilled, or swept along by life in your work or business? It is essential as HSP Empaths that we learn to honour and take EXTRA care of this part of ourselves.
One way to do that is by getting proactive about ditching the SHOULDs and HAVE TO’s that are weighing you down. EFT “tapping” can help you get unstuck by releasing the energetic hold of those deeply ingrained beliefs and messages that we have internalized.
Understanding the traits of a highly sensitive person and empath:
Empaths and Highly Sensitive People (HSP) have a unique (NOT wrong) way of experiencing, feeling, observing, perceiving, and processing the world around them. It is estimated that 3-5% of the population are empaths, and around 15-20% are Highly Sensitive People. I happen to be both.
Empaths feel everything. We can absorb the emotions of others into our bodies (as well as any other positive and negative energies in our environment). As a result, Empaths can get tired, worn down, and sick around too much loud noise, high-stress environments, and toxic people or situations. Empaths can also be more prone to social anxiety due to all the ‘unspoken signals’ we pick up on.
Highly Sensitive People (HSP) have a low threshold for stimulation; we notice and process information more deeply and have greater awareness and sensitive processing of subtle stimuli. Elaine Aron, the author of “The Highly Sensitive Person“ says, HSPs have inherited a survival strategy of “pausing to check, observe, and reflect on or process what has been noticed before choosing an action.” So we need to build this into our response time.
Both Empaths and HSPs need a lot of time alone to process things and have minimal tolerance for socializing and small talk. Neither do well in fast-paced environments where being rushed is the norm.
As you can imagine, these traits can deeply impact our work and business lives and make it quite challenging at times to stay grounded in who we are.
The pressure and problem of trying to “Fit in” as an HSP Empath:
Meanwhile, there’s constant pressure to “fit in”. So many of us have felt the need in our lives to try and adapt to fit into situations, surroundings, and models that were not MADE for or MEANT for US.
Over time, leaving ourselves behind in this way shows up in our lived experience.
For example, we may struggle with stress, depression, lethargy, disinterest, and boredom. We may wonder why other people have an easier time, etc. Or perhaps we begin to feel uninspired with no sense of purpose, passion, and aliveness in our business anymore.
As fears arise, we may become resigned to thinking that this is how it will always be.
That’s not true. But it makes total sense to feel this way since most systems and institutions revolve around a NON-highly-sensitive majority.
Importantly, there is nothing wrong with YOU. It’s a matter of uncovering a more peaceful, kind, and loving way to be with ourselves and live on this earth.
Gaining clarity on the ‘SHOULDS’ that get in the way:
We learn to adapt to the world around us by developing many SHOULDs. Unfortunately, these inadvertently end up preventing us from having the work or business life that we desire. For example:
- I SHOULD be able to fit into the norm and be like everyone else.
- I SHOULD be able to do the things that everyone else does (and do it the way everyone else does).
- I SHOULD be able to keep up with their pace, have more clients, make more money…etc.
- I SHOULD do what others think I should do business and career-wise (versus trust myself).
These beliefs can make us feel flawed, less than, and like we don’t measure up. We can feel ashamed (and frustrated) about being different or in our inability to tolerate and do what most people can. Not surprisingly, low self-esteem can sneakily take hold.
So it’s no wonder trying to measure up feels like such a burden! Perpetuating these SHOULDs drains our energy and keeps us feeling stuck.
Are you aware of how many expectations you have of yourself that don’t actually belong to you?
Take a moment to consider whose voice is leading the way.
While avoiding external pressures can feel challenging on many levels, ultimately, this is what I believe:
We (HSP Empaths) are not meant to try and “fit in”; we are meant to SEE and FEEL and BE in the world from OUR unique perspective and soul’s purpose.
Under all those SHOULDs is an opportunity to honour our own nature.
Re-emerging as WHO WE ARE (before we got caught up in cultural and societal conditioning):
Beneath all those expectations, your own voice exists and is waiting to be heard. To me, the ultimate goal as an HSP Empath entrepreneur is to create a livelihood that:
- is in line with our sensitivity and empathic nature, where we honour and accept ourselves and what we need, AND
- brings our WHOLE selves into our work/business environment.
This is grounded in a sense of possibility and KNOWING that transformational change begins within each one of us.
But how do we do this? How do we get clear on the degree to which the SHOULDS prevent us from re-emerging as our true selves?
We start releasing to create space for what’s next.
Emotional Freedom Techniques are especially helpful in supporting HSP Empath healing and empowerment:
Emotional Freedom Techniques (also called EFT, or “Tapping”) is a masterful way to gain clarity and insight. EFT helps remove the energetic and emotional blocks, fears, beliefs, and emotions (such as shame) from the body.
Struggle and/or emotional pain is a block or disruption in our body’s energy system. Our body gives us clues through feelings and sensations about what is happening within us (e.g. a sore stomach, tight chest). Similarly, it tells us how we feel around others and in certain environments.
In other words, our body tells us when something is not in alignment. With that awareness, we have the power to shift it.
When we clear out the SHOULDs that get in the way of our needs, passions, and desires…we can create situations that are NOURISHING and NURTURING for us instead.
Benefit of an EFT practitioner and Energetic Freedom Coach for HSP/Empaths:
My goal is to provide a SAFE, compassionate, secure, and non-judgemental space for you to peel back the layers to release what no longer serves you (aka all those SHOULDs).
SHOULDs, HAVE TOs, and other people’s expectations don’t have to hold you back from your passions and stop you from embracing your brilliant, sensitive, and empathic nature.
You CAN live a life and run your business in a way that feels TRUE to you….
If you are curious how EFT can help you care for your HSP Empath nature in your work/business life, I’d love to have a no-pressure chat.
Let’s take a peek at what SHOULDs are dragging you down. You have permission to ditch them!
Reach out and schedule your free 15-minute call today.
Warmly, Tamara