How To Thrive As An Empath: No More Struggling!

How To Thrive As An Empath: No More Struggling! https://christina-lopes.com/wp-content/uploads/Video-header-4-1-4.jpg 1920 1080 Christina Lopes Christina Lopes https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/40981956d0178d01ca7a741ae349f54d?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 7, 2019 May 24, 2019

There’s a lot of information out there about what it means to be an empath. And honestly: most of it is disempowering.

This is a topic I definitely get fired up about! I’m just tired of the way empaths are portrayed. So we’re just gonna start over.

Today, we’re gonna tell a different story about what it means to be an empath.

By the time you finish this video, you’ll start seeing your empathic abilities as your greatest superpower, instead of struggling with them.

If you’re highly sensitive to the energies around you, you may be an empath.

And in this video, I’ll introduce you to a different way of looking at what it means to be an empath and how you can thrive — not just survive — in this incredible new world.

I’ve structured the video in 4 parts and added lots of actionable advice to each part.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this video:

1. What’s an empath? I’ll share my unconventional definition of empaths.

2. The top 4 myths about empaths. We’ll bust these highly detrimental beliefs once and for all so you can free yourself of limiting beliefs that keep you stuck as an empath.

3. The 2 stages of empathic development. Discover the stages of development and quickly find out what stage you’re in.

4. 3 practical tips to help you become an Empowered Empath. Let go of old belief systems and embrace your empathic abilities once and for all.

Here’s the audio version of this video:

NOW OVER TO YOU!

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To submit a question for our weekly videos, add it below in the comments, with the hashtag #askchristina.

With deep love and gratitude;

CHRISTINA LOPES, DPT, MPH

I’m a life coach, healer, spiritual teacher, and former clinician. My life’s work is to help you open your incredible heart, heal your past, and live with joy and purpose. Aside from my weekly video content, I also work 1-on-1 with people who need private individual guidance. If this is you, the fastest way to get help is to book a single session with me.

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43 Comments

Ricardo Lopes March 8, 2019 at 1:59 pm

Dear Christina,
First, many thanks for your reply and good vibracional energies and communication skills that you have across your videos. I wish your daily live has the same good vibe.
You have the capacity of resume a lot of concepts and information in few words, well done.
You are in a process of expansion / interpretation / and delivery information to you and your “customers”.
So…in this field your ahead and well protected and I think this way is your life meaning and self realization.
My observation is and reply if you want…
What advice you will give to a person who fight a lot and don’t have fear of their own convictions and life path, on job, colleagues, and friends?
This daily exercise and way of life, create across the time a lot relations wear in our body and in our nervous system.
I will not mention the others realities of our perception that appears in our consciousness.
Maybe we will need to create a type of recuperation place to re energie and fight again with a conversor to light and love.
Love is the answer for all, I know from my childhood.
We live in a expanded space of consciousness that grown every day, with a plus of more and more from everywhere, and is difficult to have daily tools to persons lik came from their own experience to outside…not front loading or other…and this create a need of a lot of time to discovery what you experienced or see…
I will not take more time,
I invite you to a coffé if you feel positive about.
All the best

- Christina Lopes March 9, 2019 at 12:49 pm
  
  So glad the videos have helped Ricardo!
  
  - Paul Marcoux December 7, 2019 at 2:11 am
    
    Just watched for first time, never heard of you before now. I was crying the entire video from being so grateful. Thank you for existing.
    
- E June 27, 2020 at 12:56 pm
  
  If there is a lot of conflict and someone is feeling lost about their path then they need to speak to someone about this. It can be a sign also of depression and that they do not yet understand their core beliefs. They are also projecting their expectations into other people without first communicating their expectations.
  
  Core beliefs that we hold from childhood impact our ‘should’ or ‘must’ mindset. (In order to be successful I must work hard and earn a lot of money). The reality is that no one expects more of you than you. Just ‘being’ you is enough.
  Other people may assume you will respond in the way they want and trigger their own core fears or beliefs when you don’t causing their own spiral. You have to recognise this and respond appropriately, giving up the ego, in order to resolve the conflict. The same applies if we feel upset, angry or hurt- someone has not met our expectations, but did we tell them what we wanted? Hope this helps 🥰
  
Angela Wood March 8, 2019 at 3:54 pm

Hi Christina,
I had a melt down yesterday and spent today in bed under the duvet. I decided to not struggle as an empath anymore, the universe would have to come up with something. I peeked out at 14.30 turned on my tablet to check my emails and there you were: How To Thrive As An Empathy: No More Struggling! XXXXX
I have been on this journey a long, long time married to my twin flame for 38 years having consciously chosen him knowing it was for love and healing, worked with preschool children and children with special needs, travelling, rebirthing, writing songs and poetry, painting including a very large art exhibition in a major city on the subject of evolution, personal and global. I have worked in bars, been in 3 bands and facilitator of 5 Rhythms, the Course in Miracles as my companion and the Baha’i faith, though I don’t take part now, still inspires great light and wisdom and a sense of hope for me on this planet. I’m tired of pushing my comfort zone and would like to expand gracefully within my comfort zone.
#ASKCHRISTINA
I have always struggled to want to be here in the world and the arts and the spiritual have kept me out there ‘flowing’. Can you help me with ‘staccato’?
The core beliefs were very useful but fear of being hurt or hurting others are key with me (didn’t like the Jesus bit or the battling goddess picture). Also I haven’t solved being undermined and I struggle to feel emotionally supported also technology and understanding how stuff works gets me down. If you could answer these personally or in a video that would be great. Also opposing energies of wanting to get out there and not wanting or able to. Like a pin ball machine and butterfly in a jar all at the same time. I also struggle with insecurity especially financially though the universe takes good care of me in many ways I seem to have lost my pipe line to money, power and play and a sense of safety. Hence the duvet and feeling exhausted, fragile but trusting.
I watched your Dark Night of the Ego video the other day, that was also helpful. I resonate very much with all your videos and heart work as well as your appreciation for both science and spirituality to work together. Thank you so much for the work that you do and that so much of it is available and free to so many. With love Angie x

- Christina Lopes March 9, 2019 at 12:47 pm
  
  Thanks Angie! So glad the videos have helped!
  
Yolanda March 8, 2019 at 6:49 pm

This was perfect timing. I never felt fragile but with all the information floating around I thought I was supposed to be weak. But something inside me wouldn’t allow me to play the weak role. When it comes to a negative environment, I would sit there in misery not knowing that I could transmute it into love. Wow, who knew?! You did and I thank you deeply for sharing, Peace and Love. EMPOWERED EMPATH.

- Christina Lopes March 9, 2019 at 12:46 pm
  
  You go girl!
  
Sharon March 8, 2019 at 7:55 pm

Hello Christina. I have enjoyed the video. Nice to get a fresh perspective on being an empath. All makes sense and gives me more confidence in my position BUT. How to empower myself to the heart/feeling level is interesting. Also I am a Clairsentient empath also. The empowering is something that makes sense. I am concerned with my frustration and I do want to hide. Crazy bad when I take on their sickness. Any tips on the practice of this even those it all makes sense. Thank you.

- Christina Lopes March 9, 2019 at 12:45 pm
  
  So glad the video resonated Sharon!
  
Ado March 8, 2019 at 8:05 pm

#askChristina Hi there! We are so glad we found you!
I am Greek, and i loved your tattoo, that is what is all about!
ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΑΥΤΟΝ
Your message was so empowering as well.
Only trouble is that the word empathy in Greek, means quite the opposite…
And since there is so much power in words, all though you mean well, maybe there is a misunderstanding there?
Loss of energy ? Maybe we could run a campaign at some point and fix things.
Like when you say “sampagne on the house!” you can not serve vinegar!…
In any language.

As for myself, i have all the love in the world to share but not even my family, can feel my love…
An excuse is that my mom was kind of strict and never got the hugs i wanted.
I’m a pioneer recycler on the tiny island of Spetses.
I’m close to financial catastrophe, many reasons….
Just mentioned one.
I need to make a new beginning now, professionally and i’m so afraid!…
I’d love to be sth like you…
We have 5 kids and 2 bars…
Gave them both away, could not run them and now thinking to open a restaurant,
maybe food is love. i’m 51, what to do in a bar… Too old to flirt
and people do not drink anymore…
They sure eat.
Really stacked!
Nice talking to you.
Maybe will get to that know thyself trip, and become strong eventually.
I am so weak right now, thinking even that fine actor who killed himself,
that i m ready to take risks that i’d normally never take…
Dead poets society, Robin, what on earth were u thinking!
That is what i wanna do, help my self, help people.
Right now, i do not know were the fun of living went.

Love, light, bliss,

Antonis

Jade March 9, 2019 at 7:25 am

Thank you so much for all this knowand for the joyful energy you transmit much love and light!

- Christina Lopes March 9, 2019 at 12:42 pm
  
  You’re welcome! So glad it resonated!
  
Nancy March 10, 2019 at 11:44 am

Thank you so very much for the clarification. Now i feel more “normal” every time I run when other peoples energy come into my field. Some times is overwhelming in stores that i leave the items or groceries and run when i know i need them. Because of your clarification and tips now I know how to deal more with my energy. Thank you 🙂
Nancy S

- Christina Lopes March 11, 2019 at 12:32 pm
  
  You’re welcome! So glad it helped!
  
Jillian March 19, 2019 at 5:17 am

Being an Empath is a struggle for me as I view myself as an ugly person so find it ‘ impossible ‘ to love myself.
Any advice will be welcome…

- Christina Lopes March 20, 2019 at 9:55 am
  
  The self-love piece is very personal to each one of us and no one can really do that work for you. For me, I came to a place of self-love one day at a time, by nurturing first my connection to Source energy. The more connected to Source you are, the more you love yourself too.
  
- Pam August 30, 2019 at 3:49 am
  
  I loved your video. I’m, for the most part, empowered, but have to watch my boundaries. I struggled with narcissists before. At some point, probably in my mid teens, I started doubting my gut feelings. It took years to turn that around. Now I listen. I still stumble a little, but recover much quicker. I actually am an introvert. I get exhausted if I’m around people too long, but I agree, introversion and being an empath are two different things. I’m not in love with being an empath. I think I can do a lot with it, but I have to be honest, sometines I just want to say, “Can ya just keep your energy over there?” Just somedays ;-). Thank you for this video.
  
- Pam August 30, 2019 at 4:01 am
  
  This broke my heart a bit. One of the things that helped me was to let myself “Just be”. I started a dialogue, a positive dialogue, whenever I would start being nasty to myself. Compassion starts through self compassion. I do a cool visualization with my students. I first have them visualize someone they really love putting his/herself down. I have them visualize what they would say to that friend. I then have them replace their friend with themselves and have them give themselves the same message they gave their friend. The look that comes over their faces is amazing. ❤❤❤
  
Keith April 5, 2019 at 9:00 am

Dear Christina,

Currently, I am in the midst of studying for my family nurse practitioner boards and yesterday, I took a break from my intense studies. During this break, I went to YouTube and you popped up as one of the recommended videos to watch. So, I watched your video on awakening and I was instantly hooked! Everything you mentioned in your video deeply resonated with me and this is what I’m seeing in my own spiritual awakening process. Today, I took a break and went to YouTube and long and behold, you were there. Obviously, I had to watch your video 😁. Thank you for communicating some of the most misunderstood, convoluted, and complex spiritual Truths in such as concise, clear format.

#AskChristina
I’m currently in a relationship that is no longer serving me and Spirit is guiding me out of the relationship. However, I am experiencing hestitacy and fear. Spiritually, I know what needs to be done but I feel so deeply and can’t imagine hurting my partner. In fact, that’s why I’m still in the relationship. How can I overcome this tremendous amount of empathy I have for my partner so that I can live the life Spirit wants for me? Most people would have left the relationship by now, but I’m always thinking of “not hurting the other”and I know this is my vice. Any help would be extremely appreciated.
Best,
Disempowered becoming empowered

- Leslie Cason – Team Lopes April 5, 2019 at 6:45 pm
  
  Thanks for submitting your question!
  
Bernard July 10, 2019 at 8:04 pm

Your hypothesis, “The Majority of Empaths are actually Extroverts” appears to be true. My observations also support the same conclusion. Negative energy can be painful. Looking forward to a Part II.

Debbie July 14, 2019 at 11:28 am

Oh my gosh Christina! I’ve just discovered you through a google search on positive energy!💕 Watching some of your videos have been so empowering! A lightbulb moment for me. Thank you so much.
For so long I have been telling myself that I attract certain types of people in my life…and feeling I have no power over this. You have made me aware of the power I have in being an empowered empath. A mission. I have never considered that being open and sensitive made me strong…and that people who are closed and insensitive are actually the fragile ones! This has given me a new empathy for people like this…people that I’d previously considered ‘narcissists’.
To know that ‘There is no energy stronger than me’ is truly enlightening. I thank the universe for bringing you and your wonderful words into my life. Thank you Christina ❤️

- Christina Lopes July 15, 2019 at 10:00 pm
  
  So happy to help! Welcome to the community! 🙂
  
Carrie August 7, 2019 at 4:59 am

Hi Christina,
Thank you. I just found this video today. Like so many people commenting here, I am truly grateful for it.

I have always just thought of myself as introverted because I had no other way to explain why I suddenly need to leave social situations or get overwhelmed with emotions and can’t place where they’re coming from, or get exhausted by spending a day with people and shut down. I do love interacting with people and want deeply to help people. Your definition of empath makes so much sense to me. And now I think I need to work towards becoming an empowered empath.

#askchristina

I do have a few questions, if you come across this comment:

1. You talk about having a living fire within you to refuse negative energy and change it into love. To me, it feels to me that it would take a lot of energy to actively refuse negative energy and change it into love. Has that been your experience? Are there methods for doing this without also draining yourself (because I know that is not the goal)?

2. I identify really strongly with this video, but I also watched your video on “Top 4 Reasons Why an Empath Struggles in Life.” There, you say that almost all empaths have experienced trauma, especially a traumatic childhood. I have been very lucky to not have experienced what I would consider a traumatic childhood; I had loving and attentive parents and was cared for. So, I’m trying to figure out why I have struggled with being a disempowered empath for all of my life.

I would appreciate any insights you have.

I so admire your generosity and wisdom. You’ve helped send me on a path to understanding out so much more about myself, and taking action. It’s crazy that a YouTube video can be life changing — but also amazing!

Thank you.
<3

- Christina Lopes August 7, 2019 at 1:46 pm
  
  Being a living fire (vibrating in love) is no work at all. Well, it’s a bit of personal development work to heal and come into your power, that’s true. But it’s really a vibrational state of being. So it’s not draining at all. It’s who you are on a soul level. And yes, not all empaths have problematic childhoods, so I’m glad yours was wonderful. You may not have the 4 mechanisms or one or more may have been activated after childhood, if you encountered any pain or trauma as an adult. If not, then it may just be a question of feeling disempowered.
  
Stela August 8, 2019 at 10:13 am

Thank you so much
I always used to put myself as a victim for “feeling” so much
Most of the thngs you sais d resonates a lot with me
Thank you for remonding me of WHO I REALLY AM
I am an alchemist wowwwwww
From today my life as an Empath will never be the same.
Thanks to you

- Christina Lopes August 8, 2019 at 2:28 pm
  
  Yes! You can do this!
  
shan March 1, 2020 at 11:33 pm

Thank you for coming into my life, just when i need it most. I have spent many years wondering who i am, why i feel different and have been told over, i am too sensitive. Also spent same amount of years trying to suppress feelings, running away because they overwhelmed me. I had the belief you spoke of about the outside energy being stronger than me. From today after listening to your videos I feel sooo different and feel empowered just through this understanding, if that makes sense. I know i have a lot of work ahead to truly believe in myself as it wont happen overnight. I have tried the tonglen meditation you recommended and found this had a healing effect on me just in the knowledge of my soul sending a positive energy to heal the planet with everyone and everything on it. I have finally found my purpose.
Thank you and sending you much love

- Amanda – Team Christina March 3, 2020 at 1:18 am
  
  Thank you so much for your support! Sending you love ❤️
  
Evie April 20, 2020 at 2:13 am

Great content thank you; where in the video do you mention the difference between being empathetic and being an empath? I’ve binge watched several of your videos and not o can’t find where you mention that! TIA!
Peace,
Evie

Janine May 2, 2020 at 12:48 pm

#askchristina
I loved your YouTube video on empaths. I just wondered if you think it’s possible that narcissists are really just empaths that never got empowered and decided to use their porous energy field to suck j in what they could to help them survive their negativity. I think narcissists get a bad rap (I have a lot of experience with them so I’m not undermining the pain they cause) and I wonder if their traits are more about their own survival rather than any intentional desire to harm (which is how they’re usually described). Is it possible then, to have a positive relationship with a narcissist if you are an empowered empath and can therefore give them what they need without feeling depleted yourself? What are your thoughts? I suppose I live in hope…

- Amanda – Team Christina May 7, 2020 at 3:03 am
  
  Hi Janine – Thank you for your questions! You can always schedule a 1:1 session with Christina through this link to connect further on any questions or support you need: https://christina-lopes.com/single-sessions/ Otherwise, we’ll keep this in mind for a future video on the topic!
  
David May 11, 2020 at 5:18 pm

Yes I understand the emphatic state of resonance the key to opening in communication all ways being a patient understanding person and working to wards helping too work with that light realise ad working with self wort very true to reality have worked with mediation and community working to build that core value not feeling overwhelmed being understanding of meaningfulness mindfulness and self worthy I have and learning all the time being refined is setting appreciation of goal keeping Personnel space that which serves a greater purpose have listened spoken to some of the experts in their field of empowerment their is a world of universal language of Peace and working to acceptance of Peace thank you for sharing your`e story and your`e may your`e cup be filled with grace and heaven and earth their is no greater gifts

- Amanda – Team Christina May 14, 2020 at 1:49 am
  
  Thank you so much for your support, David! ❤️
  
Carolina Selvaggi May 23, 2020 at 5:26 pm

Hello Christina,

Thank you so much for this video…so enlightening! The “problem” i have…perhaps it’s not a problem but the thing is that very often when i talk to people i see an immediate change on their face and in the way they talk back to me….it happens also with people i’ve met and perhaps talked to a couple of times…as if as they get to know me they change….their face changes and not for the better…(sigh!)…and they become less talkative or at least very aware and careful about what they are saying. When this happens i ask somebody i am in confidence with if there is something wrong with me or my face or did i say something wrong…i have no clue as to why these changes happen. I would like to be easy and have easy and joyful conversations but for some reason i get this kind of responde. It doesn’t happen all the time but very often. Would you have any suggestions that could help me?….could it be just my immagination?

Thank you so much, i appreciate your work!

- Amanda – Team Christina May 26, 2020 at 3:05 am
  
  Hi Carolina– Thank you for your question, you can always schedule a 1:1 session with Christina through this link to connect further on any questions or support you need! https://christina-lopes.com/single-sessions/
  
Emily June 27, 2020 at 12:39 pm

#askchristina so if I’m ‘rescuing’ those with clear anxiety as a choice to help them heal (often instinctually) am I empowered? They come to me like moths to a flame and drain me! Which would suggest disempowerment, butI’m transforming their energy…

- Amanda – Team Christina July 1, 2020 at 8:35 pm
  
  Hi Emily – Thank you for your question, you can always schedule a 1:1 session with Christina through this link to connect further on any questions or support you need! https://christina-lopes.com/single-sessions/
  
Sandy R August 16, 2020 at 2:17 am

OMG.
I have always picked up energy easily, good energy and not so good energy. People arguing would make me run. As time went on, I got brave and would step in and calm the waters between people. People do not warm up to me at first, but then they begin to feel comfortable and tell me things or ask for advice from financial issues to boyfriends; even gang member confession. Ugh.

Lately, last few years, I am so depressed! I used to jump out of bed and love the world. “Life is easy”, I always said. Now I am pushing myself through every day, feeling stuck. The world and it’s problems are bringing me down. I really just want to SCREAM! or crawl into bed, under the covers and not think anymore. THEY always say…’feel happy, you will be happy’. Can I just say, phooey. I am just not feeling the energy to ‘fake myself into Happy’.

No worries though, I am still kind and friendly with folks. I don’t take my ‘Blahs’ out on anyone. Oops, except here, LOL. They have no clue how I feel.

Anyone who has gone through this and has any suggestions or advice on how to get through this. I am all ears.
I will continue watching your videos which gives me hope and inspiration. I know I will get through this funk. God and my angels by my side.
Well, thanks for listening everyone. God bless and be well.

- Amanda – Team Christina August 20, 2020 at 8:54 pm
  
  Thank you for sharing your experience, Sandy! Sending you love ❤❤
  
L Gardner December 26, 2020 at 8:31 pm

It’s a misconception that all introverts want to be alone and extroverts want to be social. Introversion/extroversion is just how a person recharges their batteries. One can be quite social and enjoy social situations, yet still need to recharge in nature or with alone time to get back to center. This would make them an introvert. By the same token, just because someone wants to spend time reading alone or walking through the woods, it doesn’t mean that they don’t recharge that way, and they may recharge by getting together with a big group of friends afterward. This culture is so negative toward introversion and introverted traits that it’s seen as something to avoid rather than as a way to recharge. It’s in the same vein as seeing empaths as victims who just absorb all the stuff around them. It isn’t something to avoid, it just is. I would disagree that many empaths are necessarily extroverts just because it’s part of the need to connect to others energetically. We can go and make those social connections, then recharge on our own or in nature. It doesn’t lessen or change our empathic ability.

- Amanda – Team Christina December 30, 2020 at 6:47 pm
  
  Thank you for your feedback, Lara! Sending you love ❤