All of my life I have felt different and struggled with things that didn't seem to bother other people. Over the years I have learned that I am more sensitive than most. Things  affect me on a cellular level and since I was a child I have been absorbing other people's emotions.  As a child, I often preferred to be alone in my room because it was the only time I felt at peace and in control.  Learning to protect myself from people and environments that did not suit me was a hard lesson to learn.  There has been unexplained bouts of depression and  extreme sensitivities and  confusion that caused isolation.  Literally taking on others pain and heart ache.  Years of absorbing other people's toxic energy has put a toll on my immune system.  Unknowingly trying to create love in a world of fear.  Everything I went through has been classic signs of being an empath.

 Here are a list of traits to check to see if you are an empath:

Do you sense who people are right away? Beyond intuition, empaths feel on a deeper level and intuitively know things.

Do people open up to you and tell you things that they have never told anybody before, even on the first time meeting them.

Do you often cry and have bouts of depression for no reason at all.

Do you feel other people's sadness, darkness, or pain?

Do you have to urinate often? Urinating is one way of releasing and flushing but there are many other forms.

Do you find it almost unbearable to be around crowds of people and loud music?

Do you suffer from asthma or an auto immune disease?

Do you bring out the truth in people? It is almost impossible to lie to an empath.

Do you suffer from abandonment. If loved ones are not ready for their truth, they will run. Empaths bring the truth out in people without even knowing it.

Do you have a deep connection to nature and animals. Most empaths have to have at least one animal and be close to nature.

Do you crave solitude? It is an absolute necessity for empaths to have alone time.

Do your emotions change depending on who you come into contact with.

Here are things that you can do to protect yourself and be the light worker you were meant to be:

Put up invisible barriers or boundaries to protect your energy field. Imagine a white bubble around yourself or mirrors facing outward. Do this visualization daily and especially before you know that you are going to be in a crowded or spiritually dark place.

Sage yourself through out the day. Cleanse your aura with sage to release any negativity that you may have taken on without knowing it. Bells, chimes can also be used to clear your energy field so that you do not absorb harmful energy. Epsom salt baths are a great way to cleanse yourself of any unwanted energy and the ocean goes without saying could be one of natures best remedies for cleaning ones slate.

Crystals are a great tool for enhancing clarity, strength, and intuition. I always have a crystal near me either as a necklace, ring or in my purse.

Ground yourself with a meditation or a yoga practice. Something that you can do to tune in to differentiate your feelings and others feelings that you may have taken on. You can not help everyone. Steer clear of energy vampires that drain you and enable you to help others that will benefit from your light. Dont ignore your instinct . Follow your gut and if it says a place or person is bad don't ignore it.

Read 8 Musts For Empaths HERE

* In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. - Francis Bacon