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How to Stay Sane and Balanced As An Empathic Freelance Writer

My discoveries in learning how to navigate life and writing with heightened senses and emotions

By Rick MartinezPublished about a year ago 6 min read
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Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

Have you ever heard someone tell their story, and you feel it almost rip your soul the way it does to the storyteller?

Then have you written about that experience, and as you write it, you feel that same level of visceral that you did the first time?

And this happens over and over again?

It drains you in a way that is hard to explain in a short article, but if I've just described you, you are likely an empathic writer. You don't simply write...you bleed. This quote by Papa probably means something to you and for you.

"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."

Ernest Hemingway

Many empathic writers struggle with the challenge of staying sane and balanced as the emotions of those around them constantly bombard them. Especially if the source is a client and you're their ghostwriter. But that's for another day. You might feel drained or overwhelmed, leading to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

It's not easy to be an empath, and it's not easy to be a writer. It's a gift that not everyone can handle, but it's also a gift that can help you in your life. So please stick with me for a sec because we're about to unpack this together.

Tips on how to tell if you're an empathic writer

Empaths are intuitive people who can sense other people's feelings, emotions, and thoughts.

They can feel what others are feeling and experience what others are experiencing. And not just in a spectator way; it's as if we are a part of that person. An extension of their soul.

If you often feel like you know what other people are feeling, even when they don't say anything, you may be an empath. You may also be more sensitive to physical pain, noises, and smells than most people.

No, you're not weird and, in my opinion, have a gift.

Being an empath is tough- especially when you're constantly bombarded with the emotions of others. Many empaths report feeling drained after being around certain people or in specific places for too long. They may have trouble sleeping or lose their appetite when they feel overwhelmed by negative emotions.

If you think that you could be a writing empath, here are some signs that you may notice:

* You have a lot of empathy for other people and can easily relate to their emotions.

* You often get overwhelmed by other people's emotions and need time to recover from them.

* You feel like your personal boundaries are weak or nonexistent, so it is easy for other people to invade your space.

* You want to help everyone always and will put their needs above yours.

* You feel other people's emotions, sometimes even before they do.

* You believe in the power of energy and vibrations.

* Your intuition is so strong that it sometimes scares you.

* You're highly sensitive to your environment and what people say about you.

* You're empathetic towards animals and nature as well as humans.

As a writer and empath, how do you stay balanced?

An empath is a highly sensitive person who picks up on other people's emotions and vibes. They may feel overwhelmed at times by the emotions of those around them. As an empath, especially a writer, you need to find a way to balance life and care for yourself.

1) Find time for yourself each day and set aside time just for you.

As an empath, you have a lot of responsibilities and may often put others' needs before your own. But it's crucial that you take some time each day to decompress and recharge without feeling guilty. This may mean sitting in a quiet room, reading a book, or taking a bath.

Whatever it is that relaxes you and makes you feel at peace, make sure to carve out some time for it each day.

2) Spend time with people who are positive and uplifting.

The people we surround ourselves with can significantly impact our mood and outlook. We should enjoy the company of those who make us feel good about ourselves and want to be better.

The bottom line is we should spend time with positive and uplifting people!

3) Take care of your physical needs, like eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

Taking care of your physical needs is essential to staying healthy and happy. Physical health is crucial to your mental and emotional state. When you are physically healthy, taking care of your mental and emotional needs becomes more effortless.

4) Avoid toxic environments that make you feel worse about yourself or your situation.

We are all susceptible to toxic environments in our lives. We may surround ourselves with negative people, making us feel worse. We can also often surround ourselves with people who bring us down with their words and actions.

Or we can be in an environment that is not healthy for us, like a job or a relationship.

When we get out of these toxic environments, we feel better about ourselves and happier with our lives. But it can be challenging to leave these environments because they are often the hardest to escape. We need to be conscious of our settings and how they affect us. We must find the right balance that makes us feel better about ourselves.

5) Don't take on other people's emotions or energy as your own.

There are many reasons why we should not take on other people's emotions or energy as our own:

1. It is draining to take on someone else's emotions.

2. It can lead to a feeling of inadequacy and guilt because we cannot live up to the expectations of others.

3. It is not our job to fix other people's problems.

Tips for thriving as an empathic writer

Being an empathic writer can have a double-draining effect. Not only do you need to deal with your own emotions and energy, but you also have to manage the emotions and energy of others.

And then find the gumption to write about it.

Here are some tips for thriving as an empath who writes:

* Spend time alone to recharge after a long day of being around others.

* Surround themselves with positive and supportive people when possible.

* Do not take on too many tasks simultaneously, as this will cause them stress and anxiety. Instead, prioritize tasks to complete them successfully and quickly.

* If you feel overwhelmed, take a break from social interactions or other stressful situations.

* It is also essential for empaths to be honest about how they feel about learning to say no when they need to take care of themselves first.

The final word

As an empath and a writer, finding the right balance in life can be difficult.

You may often feel overwhelmed by the number of emotions and energy you take on from others. But by following these tips, you can learn how to thrive as an empathic writer. Surround yourself with positive people, take care of your physical needs, and avoid toxic environments. And most importantly, make sure to take time for yourself each day to recharge.

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About the Creator

Rick Martinez

I help CEOs & entrepreneurs write & publish books that give them authority & legacy | Bestselling author | Former CEO turned ghostwriter |

California born, Texas raised.

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  • Mabout a year ago

    Really appreciate this article

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