| Visitor | Posted: 06 January 2015 - 04:27 PM |
http://www.empathtest.com/ I think this may be why I hoard, or rather why I don't bother cleaning or doing much of anything. I also get depressed easily. When I took this test it really opened my eyes. I don't think there's anything wrong with us. We're just too sensitive to the world and can't handle it. But there are coping mechanisms for empaths and I'm still learning about them. At least I'm not crazy. Neither are you. Have a wonderful new year, everyone. | |
Replies (3)
| Dianne | Posted: 08 January 2015 - 10:11 AM |
Hey Visitor, yeas the concept is definitely worth examining. I've tried just about every method to *get better* from problems throughout my life. Seeing intuitives at different times was one way but it didn't help me. It's been awhile which is why I haven't heard the term empath I guess. I tend to anthropomorphize some things which can make it difficult to discard objects. I also tend to project my feelings and imagine that someone who is going thru a difficulty would feel the same anguish I would in that situation. That can make me overprotective of a person when in reality they don't need or even want my protection because they were not feeling what I thought they would. Going deeper the person I was really trying to protect was my *inner child* who *feels* another's pain and suffers accordingly. Lots of therapy in my past too. 🙂 Being hypersensitive can be a good thing in that it fosters compassion. It can be bad when the hypersensitive person takes on guilt or feels responsible for things that are not hers to be concerned about. As that relates to hoarding the mental processes can be overwhelmed with thoughts of what others might need or how they would feel as well as dealing with the hoarder's own feelings. We can get lost in those depths. Sometimes for me, it's best not to overthink and just take some action with the hoard. | |
| Visitor | Posted: 07 January 2015 - 08:27 PM |
Hi Dianne, I abhor clutter - but my house is full of it. What I was referring to was the hypersensitivity to everyday life that some people have. I've noticed that hoarders tend to start hoarding after a terrible trauma - death, divorce, or in my case 9/11. At least this is a pattern I've noticed on the Buried Alive program. I used to be a neatnik until 9/11. Now I'm dirty and sloppy, just beginning to de-clutter in a major way. Hoarders and empaths both pick up energy from objects. That's one reason I thought there may be a connection between hoarders and empaths. When I say connection I don't mean they're exactly the same, but in some cases may overlap. Empaths pick up vibes from people out in public, especially negative energy. So we need a sanctuary. In my case it's my home, dirty as it is. It's mine and mine alone. I just thought it was something worth examining. | |
| Dianne | Posted: 07 January 2015 - 02:28 PM |
Hi Visitor, welcome! I have never heard of an empath. I didn't take the test but I read an article listing 30 traits of empaths. Interesting stuff. #8 was me for sure ~ always looking out for the underdog. But #21 no way ~ abhors clutter. I do believe there are some of us who feel much more deeply than others. And there are degrees in that. It makes us all just an infinite variety of beautiful flowers. Learning to appreciate the differences brings joy to life. Of course there are the evil weeds. Another whole story/study. But even weeds can be quite lovely in their own way. Thanks for teaching me something new! 🙂 | |