Ever since I was little, I was told I was “too sensitive.”
Too emotional.
Too much.
My mom used to say I wore my heart on my sleeve — and back then, I didn’t have the words for it, but I felt everything. Not just my feelings, but everyone else’s too. Crowded rooms made me feel like I was drowning. Someone else’s sadness? It became mine. A fight in the next room? Might as well have been happening in my own body. Second hand embarrassment? Oh yeah, just pass it over. It was as if every emotion around me had an invisible thread tying it to my own heart, amplifying my senses and leaving me in a whirlwind of feelings I often struggled to process.
It took years — and lots of spiritual, mental, and emotional digging — to realize that what some folks saw as being “too much” was actually being an empath. This profound sensitivity often felt like a double-edged sword; it allowed me to connect deeply with others, understanding their pain and joy, but it also left me vulnerable, carrying burdens that didn’t belong to me. The empathy I felt often overwhelmed my own identity, making me question where my feelings ended and others began.
And not just that, but navigating the world with ADHD and dyslexia, too. These challenges added another layer to my complex emotional landscape. The chaos of ADHD meant my thoughts often raced ahead of reality, creating a frantic environment in my own mind, while dyslexia transformed reading and writing from simple tasks into Herculean challenges. The combination sometimes felt like a storm, with emotions swirling and battling for attention amidst the distractions. It also means that I have a ” Wild Imagination” and the ability to see things in 3D models or envision things that others can not, simply in my head or through verbal descriptions, building worlds in my head.
Add in a good helping of claircognizance and clairvoyance, and you’ve got yourself a very overstimulated, overwhelmed, and sometimes exhausted momma. The ability to perceive beyond the physical realm added another dimension to my existence. At times, it was enlightening, providing insights and clarity, but it often felt like an avalanche of sensations and information crashing down, leaving me breathless. Each day became an exercise in balancing the many facets of my being, learning to carve out space for myself amidst the cacophony of emotions and stimuli. Finding moments of peace in this beautiful chaos became essential for my well-being, as I learned to honor my unique experiences while seeking solace in the gentler, quieter corners of life.
The thing about being an empath and neurodivergent is that the world doesn’t come with a dimmer switch. It’s just ON. Loudly. All the time.
The Beauty & Burden of Feeling Deeply
Let’s get something clear — being an empath isn’t a curse. Neither is being neurodivergent. They are both gifts, profound abilities that enable individuals to connect deeply with the world around them. Sacred ones. Being an empath allows you to feel the emotions of others, fostering compassion and understanding in ways that many may find challenging. On the other hand, neurodivergence brings unique perspectives that can lead to extraordinary creativity and innovation. Embracing these traits can illuminate the path to self-acceptance, showcasing the strength found in sensitivity and difference, rather than conforming to societal norms.
I see the world differently. I pick up on subtle shifts in energy, unspoken words, the things that get lost between lines. I notice beauty in chaos and patterns in madness. I appreciate the world around me and beauty in all things, including death- if is natural. I know things I’ve never been told. If I am close to someone sometimes, I can perceive thoughts before they are uttered out loud. But, the issue becomes that when you’re always tuned in, it gets exhausting.
There are days where even the hum of a fridge feels like it’s screaming, its steady noise amplified in the quiet corners of my mind. Where social media is too loud, filled with endless notifications and opinions that drown out my own thoughts. Where someone else’s stress from across the house clings to me like static, wrapping around me like a thick fog that makes it hard to breathe. Where a trip to the grocery store feels like an energetic assault, each shopping cart clattering against the tile echoing my own rising anxiety, and the fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows on faces that mirror my overwhelmed spirit.
Let’s not even talk about parenting while feeling it all. It takes some effort to sort that out believe me. Especially when you are trying to figure out whose emotions you are feeling with three kids and a husband. I explored a but about my struggles and ADHD parenting but I have yet to touch base on the empathic parts of it.
Finding Balance: Dulling the Noise Without Going Numb
The goal isn’t to stop feeling — it’s to filter. To create sacred space and practices that allow us to soften the world without cutting it off completely. This involves developing strategies that help us navigate through the complexities of our emotions while maintaining a healthy relationship with them. Embracing our emotions while managing their intensity can lead to a more balanced existence, where we experience life fully but without being overwhelmed by it. By acknowledging our feelings and understanding their origins, we can cultivate a deeper awareness that fosters resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. Instead of suppressing or ignoring our emotional responses, we learn to engage with them thoughtfully, giving us the strength to embrace change and uncertainty with grace. Through this process, we create not only emotional fortitude but also a profound sense of connection to ourselves and our surroundings, ultimately enriching our journey through life.
Here are some of my personal tools for turning the volume down (but not all the way off):
🕯️ Create energetic boundaries
I visualize myself surrounded by a soft, golden bubble of light that radiates a warm and comforting energy. This magical barrier allows love and positivity to flow in while effectively keeping out chaos, negativity, and external stressors. By establishing this protective shield, I create a safe space where I can nurture my emotions and thoughts. I find it beneficial to perform this visualization in the morning, before bed, or anytime I feel particularly raw or vulnerable, as it helps me reclaim my energy and restore my inner balance. Taking a few deep breaths during this process enhances my connection to the protective bubble, solidifying my intent to maintain tranquility in my life.
🌿 Nature therapy
Even 5 minutes with bare feet in the dirt can help discharge built-up energy and ground your spirit. Hug a tree and let its ancient wisdom seep into your being. Breathe with the wind, allowing yourself to connect to the rhythm of nature. Let Mama Earth absorb the noise of your worries and anxieties as you find solace in her embrace. Listen to the sounds around you—the rustling leaves, chirping birds, and gentle breeze—as they create a serene symphony that calms your mind and rejuvenates your soul. By immersing yourself in the natural world, you open your heart to the healing power of the environment, fostering a deeper sense of peace and harmony within.
🖤 Limit sensory overload
Noise-canceling headphones, blue light filters, and soft clothing are not just luxury items; they’re essential tools for navigating a world that can often feel overwhelming. By investing in high-quality noise-canceling headphones, you can shield yourself from disruptive sounds in busy environments, allowing for a more peaceful and focused experience. Blue light filters, whether in the form of glasses or screen protectors, help reduce eye strain and promote better sleep, particularly if you’re spending long hours in front of screens. Additionally, choosing soft, comfortable clothing can significantly enhance your physical comfort, serving as a gentle reminder to be kind to your body. Remember, it’s perfectly fine to implement these protective measures — they can greatly improve your quality of life.
💧 Grounding rituals
Grounding rituals play a crucial role in maintaining mental and emotional balance. Simple activities like taking baths infused with Epsom salts and herbs create a calming environment, promoting relaxation and mindfulness. The act of holding a grounding crystal, such as hematite or smoky quartz, can also provide a sense of stability, helping to alleviate anxiety and restore peace. For those without access to a bathtub, shower steamers infused with soothing scents offer a convenient alternative, allowing you to create a mini spa experience in your daily routine. Sipping tea with intention can further enhance these rituals; choose your favorite calming blend and take the time to fully engage your senses, savoring the aroma and warmth of the cup. These practices serve as gentle reminders to connect with yourself, bringing you back into your body and helping you navigate the world with greater ease.
📵 Sacred silence
Put your phone down. Turn the lights low. Just sit. Let silence speak for a moment. In our fast-paced world filled with constant notifications and distractions, it is essential to carve out time for ourselves. Embrace the stillness around you, allowing it to envelop your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes we need less input, fewer words, and less noise to find our center and reconnect with our inner selves. By taking these moments to just be, we create space for clarity, reflection, and renewal, reminding ourselves of what truly matters.
✨ Scheduled solitude
Give yourself permission to not answer messages, to skip events, to simply exist. Alone doesn’t mean lonely — it means recharging. Embrace this time to reflect on your thoughts, to indulge in hobbies that bring you joy, and to reconnect with your inner self. It’s vital to recognize that carving out these moments for solitude can lead to enhanced creativity and clarity in your life. Allow yourself to enjoy the quietude, savor the stillness, and nurture your emotional well-being. In this busy world, prioritizing these moments of peace is a gift you give yourself, one that is essential for your overall health and happiness.
🔮 Spiritual check-ins
Talk to your guides, inviting their wisdom into your life with an open heart and mind. Pull a card to gain insight into your current situation, reflecting on its message and how it resonates with your journey. Journal what you’re holding that isn’t yours, releasing any burdens that do not belong to you and making room for your own energy to shine. Your clair senses are powerful, but they need space to breathe; schedule regular moments of quiet reflection to connect with your intuition and nurture your spiritual growth. These practices not only deepen your self-awareness but also strengthen your bond with the universe, allowing you to navigate life’s complexities with clarity and purpose.
You Are Not Broken
If the world feels like too much — it’s not because you’re too little. It’s because you were built to feel more, to embrace the depths of emotions that often go unnoticed by those around you. To sense more, to perceive the subtleties in the everyday moments that others might overlook. You possess a unique ability to connect with the essence of life itself, to walk paths most people don’t even see, revealing the hidden beauty within the chaos. Your depth of understanding and heightened awareness can lead you to profound insights, allowing you to experience joy, sorrow, and everything in between with an intensity that shapes your worldview. Embrace this gift, for it is a strength that sets you apart in a world that often favors the surface over the soul.
There’s no shame in needing breaks, in retreating, or in protecting your energy; in fact, it’s essential for maintaining emotional and mental well-being. Taking the time to step back allows us to recharge and reflect on our experiences, leading to greater clarity and resilience. Being sensitive isn’t a flaw; it’s a superpower when you learn how to wield it, as it enables you to connect deeply with others and to understand their feelings on a profound level. This heightened awareness can be a tremendous asset in personal relationships and creative endeavors, where empathy and intuition often lead to transformative outcomes. Embracing your sensitivity can open doors to personal growth and fulfillment, as long as you prioritize your own needs and boundaries along the way.
So if you’re like me — a neurodivergent empathic soul with a wild brain and a tender heart — I see you. You’re not alone. You’re not crazy. You’re not too much.
You’re magic. Messy, radiant, deep-feeling magic.
And you deserve peace and passion. Softness and strength. Rest and revelation.
Much love and many blessings,
Mrs. B
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