Forum Activity for @crystalsage

Could the way we define emotions be the reason?

Empath

Good feeling, bad feeling

We are brought up to recognize certain feelings as good and certain feelings as bad. I wonder if it is because of this that certain difficulties arise.

Good feelings are often also safe feelings. Since the mind has not paired an alert response to most good feelings, we do not become triggered when they arise.

Bad feelings are often a sign that there is some sort of unpleasantness in store. When they arise we become triggered.

Below is an article that briefly goes into how triggers work:

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/trigger

So when I feel sadness, I feel the urge to get away from it. Past experiences have taught me that when I feel this emotion it is because something awful has happened. So I become triggered and once we become triggered we experience our trauma again.

It would be similar for anger, pain, and all the other "negative" emotions. My personal memories of them are not good. So my reactions are equally as bad. I go on high alert.

When feel happiness it hardly registers. In those moments I feel safe. There is no need to be on alert.

As people who take on more emotional stimuli than most, could it be beneficial to change how we define emotion?

The fact for me is that these emotions are coming. The overload has this annoying tendency to be hiding right around the corner. Avoiding never works for long. Grounding is great, but what about those difficult moments? What about the times when familiar techniques just don't cut it?

My goal over this last year has been to find coping strategies that work more consistently for me. What I have been finding is that the more accepting I am of all the emotions flooding my way the easier it is to handle. Lately my view of emotions has been changing.

I find myself welcoming in my least favorite emotions. Treating them almost as if they are lost children who need help finding their way home. I am even beginning to see the benefits of even the most painful emotions.

I think that we cannot view emotional states in the same way others do. We have to learn to feel safe with every emotion because that more apart of us. At least IMO.

What do you all think? Has anyone had similar or different theories?

Sound therapy, who's tried it?

Empath

@michelle thank you for that info. I'll have to check it out.

Do you get what you need out of meditation?

Empath

I just curious to know what everyone's stance on meditation is.

Do you feel like it is useful?

If it is no what are your struggles?

If it is what do you do that you find useful?

Sound therapy, who's tried it?

Empath

@hop-daddy

I haven't done enough research on it yet to really be able to say anything.

I just noticed that this time of year feels heavier. Like there are a lot more energies than normal.

I was also looking into different pagan customs many of which seem to view this as a time of year to be connected with our ancestors.

There is also this dream that I had of a relative who passed. But I felt his spirit before I saw him.

Sometimes the thoughts just come to me, usually when I look into it I find info that confirms. This time it is a little different.

But since the beginning of the solstice I have felt the heavy energy that started around October lift.

I wish I knew more. Now all I can think about is next year.

Having a really difficult time recently

Empath

@stefficat11

Feel it. All of. Every ounce of pain hatred shame.

I know how that sounds, and no there isn't much glam to it. The truth is doing so hurts like hell.

However, once I allowed myself to feel it. I noticed that it got easier. The pain slowly became less, as well as the fear and everything else.

What also happened is I was allowed to feel safe, and good again.

Not all at once, but little by little every day, just sit with a piece of it. The next day sir with a little more and so on.

It's when we try to turn it off that it gets worse. It's if you let the body feel it, it'll know what to do.

First few days may be hell on ice, fyi. But I promise it gets better.

Also when it gets to be too much, just breathe and slowly disconnect. When you are ready go back.

Good luck.

Friendship - finding it incredibely difficult to find friends that are "on the same wavelength"

Empath

@tigerlily I live in the northern California area. The level of emotion can be rough but I am running into more and more empaths lately.

I am originally from the Chicago area.

Sound therapy, who's tried it?

Empath

@michelle

My friend used tuning forks for me. Which might be a good option if loud noise triggers you. This was more about the vibration than the sound. She would hit the forks and then place them in spots where she could feel energy blocakges.

I did this for spiritual reasons. I'm trying to open myself up more. I cried after she was done. A lot of old sadness came up and was released. But she sees clients for many different reasons.

She does also use crystal bowls.

@goodenergyhealing I like the theta waves too. I also like listening to other binaural tracks when it has been a long day.

@zacharias I did a speech on music therapy. It is a great field. There are lots that can be accomplished using it's techniques.

Sound therapy, who's tried it?

Empath

Hello friends, 

First I have learned lots about myself regarding this time of year. So I needed to take a step back in order to get through. It has been interesting. Did you know that this "holiday" season was thought to be a time when those who passed on could visit this world again?

Anyway that's a topic for another post.

What I want to talk about is the use of sound therapy to remove energy blockages. A friend of mine studies this and reiki. She was kind enough to give me a small session and it was great!

Has anyone else had any experience with this?

updated by @crystalsage: 12/23/18 12:07:11PM

Friendship - finding it incredibely difficult to find friends that are "on the same wavelength"

Empath

I have been going to places I feel would attract other empaths.

For example crystal shops and other types of store that deal with the alternative world.

I stay away from the "normal" friendships as much as possible. Most of the people I talk I am able to express at least some of my differences to. It is a requirement for me to be able to do so. If I cannot then I stay away from those people in my personal life. It is how I maintain a healthy state of mind.

I have recently found one other person who is also a empathetic. We meet up once a week and just talk freely and it is lovely. It makes it easy to go to work and not talk about my true self. As well as having others in my personal life I can at least talk about crystals or metal therapy with.

Now I also live in Cali, this seems to one place where lots of us are if you are willing to look.

As for before making it a point to place these types of people in my life. I did not do very well. I was always lying about who I was so I could not grow into my truth. That sent me into depressions, and made me feel overwhelmed and lost in this world.

Imo, I think you have to look for people who allow to feel safe being you. It was not easy for me to find them, and cutting out the toxic people did cause me to feel sad and lonely for a while. But now I am comfortable being me. I am more willing to explore my nature because I don't feel like I have to hide. The more I am able to explore, the more I am able to get an handle on things.

Flipping between emotions

Empath

Sick = sink

Flipping between emotions

Empath

I'm not sure. I've spoken to different friends and they have all been going through some type of emotional strain.

I thought it might be me picking up on that.

Of course I've also been in the city a lot.

But, usually I feel bad after being in the city for so many days. I have been there all week and I feel great.

I was honestly thinking it was because I was growing as an empath. It felt like the energies where passing through me faster and those drastic changes where the strong energies that would usually make me sick. Instead there was this surge of of emotion and then it was gone. It also didn't ruin my day like it normally would.

Lol, it feel like I was cleaning a sick of really dirty dishes, some of which were truly disgusting. Once all the dishes where done the room felt clean and shiny. I was also met with a nice environment.

Flipping between emotions

Empath

I'm in the same boat lately.
For me the changes have been quick and drastic. One minute I'm fine then I am suddenly overcome with either anger or sadness. After a few moments it goes away and I feel fine. It's like nothing ever happened.

I was actually going to write about it yesterday but I never got around to it.

Being an empath and PMS

Empath

@sovanesh

I go through a similar thing with a friend of mine. Whenever she us going through PMS I start feeling these burst of it.
It can be frustrating. The more I talk to her the stronger it gets.

It is said to be normal.

Many years ago studies where done on groups of women. It was found that if a group of women spent enough time together they would all end up on the same cycle.
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-27375/cycle-syncing-is-it-a-real-thing-why-does-it-happen.html

Left, right, or both

Empath

Actually a choker is exactly what I want. I'm just having a hard time finding the right one.

I did more metal therapy last night. I must sat I feel great this morning.

For me when energy is being released from my body a lot of heat is produced. Does anyone else feel this?

Left, right, or both

Empath

@tigerlily
This new realization has opened up a new way of thinking about and using crystals.

I am not completely sure what side you need to hold it on to release the negative energy. I am learning that everyone is different. So I do not think there is a universal set of instructions.

For myself I notice that the negative energy comes out of the back of my neck. Which is what makes things difficult for me. It's hard to find necklaces that center anything on the back of the neck. So at night when I lay down I place stones there.

What I can share is this. In the work I have been doing with metal therapy I am coming to an understanding of how energy moves.

If we think of it in terms of electricity, which is essentially energy, conductivity becomes important.

Conductivity simply being ease at which engergy can move.

To use an example for clarity I'll tell you about my necklace. It is a black kyanite stone, which I never used to be able to wear continuously through the day. It would get to heavy with energy. I would have to take it off to give it a break. I have recently added a copper necklace to it and now I can wear the necklace all day.

Another thing I am noticing that as I make progress using stones and metals at time it can seem like I have gone backwards. However what is happening is that my awareness is growing. Which is why, while it may feel at times like I have gone backwards I still feel differently.

@chesire-cat.

I agree with you about the black stones. They also seem to be able to hold more energy than most other stones.

I would also recommend looking into metal therapy. It's a could pairing with stones.

Seasons

Empath

@@tigerlily

Sorry for the late response. I've been distracted lately.

I'm sorry to hear about your baby. I can't imagine how that must have been for you.

I do use crystals and stones. In fact I love working with them. I use them as a part of my regular grounding work.

I just hadn't done my grounding work in a few days. I realized later that night that I was overloaded with energy that needed to be grounded.

I agree with hop-daddy as well. A lot of what he said was right on the money.

I think that along with my own issues with time of year just got to me.

Seasons

Empath

Thank you to every who responded. It was truly a great help. I was able to end the day with very high vibrations.

Go Team Empath!

Seasons

Empath

@pinkypie

Thank you. I speak of that time in the past and the people involved a lot. It just comes out that way. He is still living.

As far as old wounds go, it's been interesting. I've been doing a lot of work clearing my energy. In doing so I have noticed that a lot of old stuff is coming up, but with a greater sense of clarity. I am doing less self blame and more understanding. It's like as I clear old energy from my body those experiences are being removed with them.

I also realized that when I wrote this post it had been a few days since I did my normal clearing practices. I can normally go a few days without that happening. But as I said this time of year has a lot of memories for me. I was also in the city a lot as well as around a lot of people who I know to have very low vibrations.

It all was adding up.

Seasons

Empath

@pinkypie

I celebrate my birthday every day of the month for many reasons. However there are two main reasons. The first is teach myself that I am worth, and should, be celebrated. The second has to do with how I viewed my birthday growing up. Because of how things worked out I always found myself sad that day. I wanted to change that energy. I wanted to learn to look forward to my day.

I must say it has been fun!

I have a daily budget. Some days it is not about buying a gift so much as exaggerated self care/love. So I may do something simple like watching a movie I love at home. As long as the mindset is celebratory.

Seasons

Empath

@pinkypie
People do forget bdays. However my dad and I have the same bday. I would think that is harder to forget.

The relationship has never felt mutual. He's just never really cared for me. I do come from a relationship he had before he got married. That side of the family is very traditional. They still believe in concepts like bastards, so to them I am one.

So growing up during this time of year when my friends where preoccupied with family stuff. I was not. I was an embarrassment. As I got older that sort of changed but whenever someone was around that wasn't family it was like he regretted having me around. He didn't want anyone to see. There are family members I meet to this day who never knew I existed.

So when I had the opportunity I moved away from my family. My goal was to create my own family and surround myself with those who would love and accept me.

As I am much older now I thought all those things where in the past. A couple of years ago I was committed to establishing some kind of relationship with him.

While I can accept his flaws, and I recognize we would never have a conventional father daughter relationship there are other things I cannot accept.

I love my father because he is my father. However as a person no matter how hard I try, I am not okay with who he is.

I was considering moving home this year. Then I realized I already am home. I have a life here one I worked hard to build. Moving back would make it easier for me to connect with him, but that is because he doesn't try. I'm the one who picks up the phone and calls, not him.

I spent a large portion of my life in a state of abuse. There where those that cared, but they could not get to me due to the circumstances.

When I was finally able to get away a good friend told me that it wasn't my fault. I was a child and powerless. He also told me that from the time I left to now, I was no longer powerless. I could either allow myself to be put in the same type of loveless situations or I could chose something else.

I have followed that advice to this day.

I love my father but it is not a healthy relationship. I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that it may never grow into one.

Which can be lonely. But feeling lonely is a lot better than what I feel around him and my mother (she a different story).

Also I'm really only recently noticing feeling healed. It took years of work, but I'm okay with what is. I do still get triggered, however that may be a life long reality and I can handle that.

Seasons

Empath

@pinkypie I do want talk. There is stuff going on surrounding my parents. This is the time of year where some of my worst memories are usually made with them. My dad mainly.

Starts next month with him forgetting a birthday we share. And me feeling lonely and forgotten all through the holidays.

A few years ago I started celebrating my birthday every day of the month. It has turned my birthday into an extremely enjoyable time. Nothing too crazy. But it makes me feel loved.
There's more but I gotta work now. Bbl

Seasons

Empath

I want to thank everyone for your kind words.

I think you're all right in different ways.

I do have bouts of depression. It's gotten better over the years. Even this moment is better than last year.

I was trying to pinpoint exactly what is going on with me. A few thoughts came to mind. Historically this is a time a year where lots of unpleasant events occurred.

I have been around a lot of emotionally overwhelming people lately.

I want to write more, but I cant really think straight right.

Once again thank you to everyone.

The post made smile and then laugh which is what I needed.

Seasons

Empath

I've noticed something today that I never noticed before. 

I think this is my season to be sad. What I mean is that some are affected by the moon phases, others the planets, and so on. I think this time of year is when I am most vulnerable.  

I'm not completely overwhelmed, just unreasonably sad, and angry for reasons I cannot say. I know a lot of it doesn't belong to me which helps. But there is so much going on in my head that, while it's not hard to interact with others, I just don't want to.

All I can hear and feel is a lot of screaming and crying. 

To help I've been grounding a couple  times a day. I am on date two of a three day fast, gives me that extra boost.

What I need from the community are any kind words you wish to share. Or whatever you wish to share. I think it'll help.

updated by @crystalsage: 10/13/18 10:13:09AM

Can a Narcissist be an empath?

Empath

Metallotherapy uses how the different metals affect the body, to heal it.

Copper is a popular one. There are many products ,that are meant to ease pain, which contain copper.

I recently bought some rings and bracelets. I was really surprised at how much they helped.

The back of my neck is where energy can get stuck. I have been placing a peice of copper right where my neck and shoulders meet and it feels great. I tried it today while I was overwhelmed and it calmed me down almost instantly. The only problem was that once I removed it the effect only lasted temporarily. Since I had a collared shirt on, I figured no one would notice I taped a peice of copper to my neck.

I began to relax. The tension in my head released. I could just feel my self slowly getting better. I liked it so much I went back and added another peice.

I'm still in the research and experiment phase. I am enjoying what I have been learning.

So far everything I have tried has worked. It's hard to find a lot of info online but it's there.

Can a Narcissist be an empath?

Empath

Cbd is one of the found in marijuana plants.

It's typically used for anxiety/depression or pain. It's not psychoactive, so you can work or whatever else you feel like doing.

@hop-daddy post a link to cbd gummies he found. Because it is taken from hemp, it can be sold anywhere in the US.

There are also topical creams that have some of the same results.

Can a Narcissist be an empath?

Empath

Black tourmaline
Black kyanite
Jet(which is actually tree fossil but gem stores sell it)
Selenite
Malachite
Shungite

This is pretty much what I use. I place them along the length of my spine, under my feet, in my hands, or around the solar plexus area.

I find them more effective when they are cold to start. Once they get pretty warm I remove them

Can a Narcissist be an empath?

Empath

Basically I have found that if I get my body into a healthy state physically, than when I get hit with overload it doesn't knock me out.

In fact I'm overloaded today and it's noticeable. However some more recent changes I have made have really turned things around for me.

I was around a lot of pain yesterday and am still around lots of pain this morning and it is taking its toll.

My favorite new addition are my Tibetan healing rings. I feel like these things have opened up a new world. People's outlook toward me has changed as well as my ability to handle the emotional rollercoaster that is being an empath.

Wish you the best.

Can a Narcissist be an empath?

Empath

These are things I've tried that have worked for me.

Salt baths
Crystal's
Metallotherapy
Diet change
Cold showers(with focus on the spin, the cold helps energies release more easily)

Sitting with the feelings(hurts like hell sometimes, however it does give the energies the space to do whatever they need to do)

Copper on the back of the neck
Icepack on the back of the neck.
Fasting
Few days off and some solitude if possible
Cbd if possible
Big bowl of fruit
Body cleanse
World fast( no TV, phone, people, food?, no noise for at least 8 hours)

And imagination (creating a safe place or person in you head and being with that moment

Vegan diet

Empath

I'm 31, I started fasting a few months ago. I really enjoy it.

I fast to give my body a break. The goal is to give my body time to focus on inward healing.

I do water fast. I've tried the juice fast. I don't like them. I don't feel the same benefits.

I usually flush my system beforehand to get the most out of my fast. My fast usually last for 2 days although my ultimate goal is to go three days.

My body gets cold while I fast but it feels good. It's the same feeling as inflammation leaving a swollen body part. It's never been about losing weight for me.

Fasting is what inspired me to switch to a vegan diet. I noticed how certain foods affect my mood. I would go from being able to handle anything which is rare, to being overloaded 10 minutes after eating a peice of bread.

The only thing that does not kill my stamina are fruits and vegetables.

I also like that I smell better in general. Not to say that I smelled bad before lol. I've just noticed that my sent, skin, and energy have greatly change. I also sleep better and ground much easier.

I have honestly come to view some foods as addictive. Regular coffee drinkers, for example, go through withdrawal when they go without coffee.

Imo I don't think we should be consuming things that take the body through withdrawal. At least not regularly or in large amounts.

Now this change is still new, and I am still going through my withdrawal period. So I have days where I break my diet. However the pain that follows is motivating me to keep the commitment.

Left, right, or both

Empath

Energy doesn't leak out when I'm overloaded. It just seems to go deeper and get internalized. Then I implode. 😂

Or at least that's how it was. I don't implode anymore but the energy can get stuck.

Vegan diet

Empath

I'm not completely sure what it is about processed food.

I remember having a conversation with a cook about pasteurized foods. He said the process actually kills all the vitamins and nutrients that the food comes with as well as harmful bacteria. Then vitamins are reintroduced into the food.

Then I think back to a seminar that was lead by a dietitian. She explained that the problem with supplements is that not all people are able to process the. Sometimes the body simply doesn't recognize them.

With starvation mode the body takes certain steps to survive. My new diet is making curious about exactly how starvation mode is triggered. Is it just a lack of food or is it because of lack of nutrient being recieved.

I've never really done well with pills in general. I seem to process and benefit more from natural food and remedies.

I think it's possible that my body just can't process, those kinds of foods.

Vegan diet

Empath

@hop-daddy.

It's not just meats that get me. It's also bread and pretty much anything processed.

To get my proteins in I consume a lot of nuts and seeds. I also did a ton of research before deciding. It is possible to achieve a balanced diet on fruits and veggies. There are a lot of fruits that are good sources of protein and fats. Avocado for example is a good source of both, as well as lots of dried fruits.

I hear you about the biology part as well. In some articles it says that it's better to look for food sources that our ancestors would have had easy access to.

I just know I feel great!

Left, right, or both

Empath

@hop-daddy and @cat-whisperer

I favor my right but I have always been ambidextrous.

I enjoy coloring as a relaxing pass time. When I do it I actually use both hands and it just seems to be instinctive.

I have also always heard the left. So all this time I have been using the left.

However a few days ago I was holding a crystal in my right hand that needed to be cleared. Before I could put the crystal down I felt the energy flow out of the crystal into my body. I was actually a bit upset because I had just cleared that same energy out of my own body. I was also curious so I began to experiment.

I picked up crystals I knew where cleared. Held in my left hand I felt myself giving energy to the crystal. In my right hand i felt the energy pulled into. (Which feels much better when the crystal have been cleared)

I have made a lot of other changes. Diet, sleeping, time off taken to heal, I've added an aspect of metallotherapy and how I interact with people in general. These changes have made my sensitivity stronger, and I have had to coach myself through the changes.

So now I am really testing this new realization.

Since my right seems to be soaking things up, I have all my blockers on the right. I'm curious to see how I feel once I get home and over the next few days.

Vegan diet

Empath

Okay, so I have fasted with great results. 

I have learned that a vegan diet suits me best. Also one that contains no processed/ boxed foods.

Everything I eat is either a fruit or vegetable with some herbs. Basically a plant based living diet.

I have allowed myself cheat days where I can eat what I want. However it is becoming less worth it to eat that way.

I feel a thousand times better and I still fast once a month now.

This feel like good living. It's not easy still miss a lot of foods. However the results are priceless!

updated by @crystalsage: 09/05/18 11:12:30AM

Tibetan healing rings

Empath

Just added a copper necklace to my set. I'm in the city today around a lot of intense people and I feel fine. I can feel the energies pass through me easily. Some don't feel so great, but they are not getting stuck.

Left, right, or both

Empath

Has anyone noticed a particular fondness for either their left or right hand with regards to energy work?

Is there one side that you notice is better for giving vs. Recieving energy?

Do both sides function about the same for you?

I have noticed for myself that my right hand tends to suck up any energy it comes into contact with. Great when I'm playing around with crystals. Not so great when I am out in the world. 

When I need to get ride of excess energy it's much easier to do with my left hand.

I am also wearing more of my protective stones on my right and there is a major difference. 

Tibetan healing rings

Empath

I actually bought it in a store. However when I went home I looked it up and there are several places to find them online. Here's one on etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/589160942/tibetan-triple-mixed-metal-ring-brass?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_e-jewelry-rings-bands&utm_custom1=2ae72acf-8533-4655-9862-9dbfdc2eb46c&gclid=CjwKCAjw_IPcBRAjEiwAl44QkZ8aBDThrpbpIpkgnRvJxTZ8YYIsnb_8AnZ7T9CWkXrFmFtitsgXwBoCzUQQAvD_BwE

There are different versions. So there's brass,copper, and nickel, which is what I have.

There is brass, copper, and silver.

There is copper, gold, and silver.

I eventually want to try all three to see what works for me best. I also want to look into getting a copper necklace for healing.

I'm glad your crystals are working for you. That sounds amazing.

I actually paired the ring with my black kyanite and tiger's eye. Usually I have to take off my stones a bit for when I fill the energy building up too much. I find it gives them time to release the excess energy. Then I can put them back on. I never had to take them off. It was like all the elements where balancing each other out.

Tibetan healing rings

Empath

So I bought some new rings and a bracelet today. They are made of brass, copper, and nickel and they are a version of healing rings.

I did not actually go into the shop for these items. I went to get some new crystals.  However when I saw the brass ring I knew I had to get some. I had actually been reading up on the benefits of brass, so I was excited to have an opportunity to give it a try. The shop owner pointed out the three metal rings and I was intrigued .

I worked in a difficult location today. It is actually a place I love going, but there is a person there I do not care for and I was going to be working directly with him.

His energy is usually impossible for me to deal with. He is insecure, it's extremely hard to hold a conversation without him trying to start an argument. There is so much more but it's not worth typing.

Long story short, I could handle it. I wasn't getting tangled up in his energy. I was just in my own. I tested it by taking the jewelry off for a while to see the difference. I wasn't able to stay disconnected like I was earlier.  So I put the jewelry back on and I felt this cooling sensation run through my body and I was calm again.

Has anyone else tried the three metal combo?

Crystals

Empath

@tigerlily
It could be you need to clear them out.

When a stone is in a store it picks up the energy from all the people who come in and out, and anyone who was handling the stone.

There are several ways to clean.

Salt baths
Burying in dirt
Leaving in a pot plant
Sunlight
Moonlight
Running water

It could also be that the stones are clearing out your energy. Sometimes the first time one connects with a stone it can be a bit of a shock. Especially if there strong need for the stone.

In my experience the shaky feeling doesn't last. It is just a sign that energy that does not belong to you is being drawn out.

I still say clean the crystals often. I like to use selenite to cleanse mine. It's the easiest for me. I have a huge slab and I just keep all my crystals near it.

I believe it to be a personal act, cleansing. So I would suggest finding a way that works for you. You may also want to spend time with each stone individually in order to build a connection with your stones. Setting a purpose can help during this time.

Some stones like selenite or kyanite don't have to be cleansed like others. Unless they get warm, like a necklace would from you body heat. However, they tend to release the energy they have picked up once they cool off.

Sounds exciting. Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Herbs knowledge anybody?

Empath

@kate, thank you so much for taking the time to write all this info.

I do like the Sea Buckthorn. I am going to look into finding that, if I can.

I hear you when it comes to the media. I have recently changed several things about my diet and it has been wonderful. I honestly think they don't actually care about people. Even when they say they do. It all seems to be about making money.

I like to practice mindfulness.

It's where one just sits with any feeling. For example you say you feel twisted. Then you allow yourself to feel that, rather try to make it go away.

Try to more of an observer. For instance you can imagine each of your thoughts are like clouds in the sky. Watch them as they pass without trying to understand in that moment. Just watch and/listen.

Focus can be difficult at first. However I have found that if I let my mind do what it needs to do without my interference, it starts to come.

I hope that made sense. I tried to right it as clear as possible.

Another technique for focus is to pay attention to you breath as you meditate. So pay attention to how your breath feels going in and out. Is it cold hot, easy, labored? When you noticed that your mind has drifted, understand that is okay and slowly bring yourself back to your breath.

Good luck.

@spiritualskies

Have you tried meditating on the energy? Maybe it will allow you to zone in and get an answer.

I forgot to add that looking at a list of emotional states can help as well. Sometimes it is difficult identify what is being felt by name. For example

https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/list-of-emotions

I ask myself questions. Especially when dealing with empathy overload.

So if I get angry I list all the reasons I may have gotten angry.

This practice also allows me to establish who the anger belongs to.

Or

I work out a list of my needs. I have found this to be the easiest way to get in touch with myself.

Sometimes this can be difficult to do. When that is the case I use daydreaming, or some form of entertainment to help me.

When we daydream, watch a show we like, or read a book, even play a game, we find satisfaction because a need is being fulfilled.

For example I like to read books about groups of friends. From that I have learned that having a solid and consistent team at work and in my personal is a strong need of mine.

Another example I daydream about being a strong empath. Not because I'm power hungry but because for me that symbolizes freedom. If I am strong enough to control it then, maybe I won't get overloaded.

Having a clear idea of what one needs developes trust not only in self but also the world. When one knows what one needs, one can easily establish boundaries and protect the self. This can translate into a calmer and stronger connection to the self.

Lastly

I have found that raw journaling can help. What I mean by that is to simply write every thought as it comes. Do not worry about grammar, or even what is being written. Put the writing away for a day or so, giving one time to get some distance from the mindset. Then read what was written. This process can show what the emotional state was while writing and help to start reconnecting the self.

Hope you work it out.

Also I'd like to add, that sometimes the mind just needs a break. Numbing can allow that to occur. As long as one is aware and it does not become a long term, it is not always a bad thing.

Depersonalization, schizo, or spiritual?

Empath

It sounds like your fear of becoming schizophrenic is triggering panic attacks.

Anytime something happens that could he related to schizophrenia you may be going in to fight or flight mode. When a person is in that mode their senses become intensified. I believe that includes the sense that allows us to feel energy.

When a person's sense are open that wide it can be overwhelming.

I would try:

a salt bath

Burn some incense (pick a sent you find calming)

Meditation (with the understanding that as one meditates lots of things may come up. This is just the body purging)

Lowering the temperature in the apartment will allow the energy to shift.

Using large crystals can help aid meditation. Feeling a chill is good as it allows energy to move from the body.

Signs

Empath

@warden.

I believe in signs too, but I also believe we manifest what we want.

I've noticed for myself that whenever I have a strong desire for something I am shown a way to that thing. I would view your signs as you bringing what you want into your life. It feels like the universe is just helping you get there like it did the first time. It all sounds exciting.

Good luck to you.

Then there was this coach for the boys track team who's name I can't remember right now.

HE WAS BEAUTIFUL...with a face like that he didn't need a name...lol jk.

Then there was Omar who a lot older but he looked like this famous singer. Talk about better than a poster. Omg. If you didn't think about his age, girlfriend, and child, then he was perfect for young high school me.

Then there was this counselor, janitor, or maybe he was a security guard. I was never really sure I just know he was cute with a capital C.😍

Phillips lasted all the way to middle school. For a while there was no on worthy of my heart. Then came Greg.

Oh sweet Greg. He was a football player. He had a great smile and a great body. But also I was invisible to my love...lol

We also had the same last name which was a concern. Now I was told the two families where not related. Although being from a small town you never know. We could never truly be, not confidently anyway.

But before that there was Thomas from second grade.

He was really tall with big teeth. Now that I think of it he really wasn't all that cute. Can't remember why I liked him.

Phillip from the third grade. He was a long haired rebel that boy was.

I used to stare at him all day. Whenever he'd talk to me I'd get super nervous and just giggle. Lol

Fun topic