Are Empaths Sign of a New Human Evolution?

I knew all my life that I was “sensitive” and that I picked up on things that others did not. I also knew that my body didn’t handle sensory stimuli the same way other bodies did.  I could easily become overwhelmed by itchy clothes, too much noise or strange smells.  High emotion in a room could send me over the edge. Why empaths are a sign of new human evolution?




Sometimes if too much input came at me all at once, it would send me into a full-blown panic attack. But it wasn’t until I became a therapist that I came to understand that being an “empath” isn’t just some woo-woo label that New-Agers made up to make themselves feel special.

I learned that my nervous system is actually wired differently than most humans.  When I studied Sensory Processing Disorder, everything came together for me like a Big Bang.



Sensory Processing Disorder  

“SPD is a neurological “traffic jam”.  A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and many other problems that may show up.”  ~ From the Start Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder

The Gifted Empath 

From here forth, I will refer to “Sensory Processing Disorder” as “Sensory Processing DIFFERENCE”.  In my professional view, it’s not a disorder; it’s a manifestation of human evolution.  Empaths, Sensitives and those with Sensory Processing Differences may well have abilities that regular people often marvel at, including the ability to sense subtle sound, light, and energy vibration, emotional subtlety and even mystical phenomena.

In recent years, we’ve seen a rapid increase in the numbers of children born with SPD.  In my opinion, this is a sign that the human race is progressing toward a superior state.  The ability to take in much larger amounts of sensory data is an evolutionary leap for our species.




Read The Science Behind Empathy And Empaths

Quick Checklist: Are you an Empathic SPD Human?

(Note that symptoms can present as both over-sensitivity, or under-sensitivity)

1. Hyper-sensitive to touch: touch may be uncomfortable or ticklish, may avoid tactile stimulation

2.  Hypo-sensitive to touch: May crave touch or seek out strong sensory input

3. Difficulty with Self-Soothing: Has trouble calming self, requires lots of outside help to process life’s challenges, irritability, emotional roller coaster

4. Sensory-avoidant behaviors: afraid of heights, loses balance easily, avoids fast movements, avoids hugs and eye contact




5. Sensory-seeking behaviors: craves fast movement, spinning, thrill-seeking, chewing on pens, fingernails,

6.  Sensitive to negativity:  negative talk, scary stories, violence or cruelty on TV, news, etc…

7.  Social Avoidance: Overwhelmed by sensory input in crowds, likes to spend a lot of time alone

8. Hyper-sensitive to noise: Distracted by noise that others don’t notice, fearful of noise, shock at loud sounds

9. Hypo-sensitive to noise: Doesn’t respond when name is called, seeks loud music or TV, makes noise for fun

10. Hyper-sensitive to smell: Offended by body smells, bathroom smells, cooking smells, can smell odors others cannot

11. Hyper-sensitive to sights: Sensitive to bright light, enjoys dimly lit rooms, avoids eye contact




12. Allergies: Sensitivities to food, environment, medications

13. Immune Disorders: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Lupus, etc…

14. Extra-sensory perception: of any kind

16. Mystical experiences: of any kind

17. Inner Conflict:  Deep sense of wanting a peaceful world but personally experiences internal turmoil – the two don’t seem to match and it may feel confusing.




If you have a handful of these traits, you are probably an Empathic Human who carries Sensory Processing Differences.

Read 25 Signs You’re A Highly Sensitive Person

Self-Care for Highly Sensitive People

It’s not easy to live as a highly sensitive person. The empathic brain doesn’t filter unnecessary stimuli the way other people’s brains do.

Because of this, highly sensitive people tend to take in MORE movement, MORE voices, MORE flashes of color, MORE scents, MORE feelings, and MORE energy.  Empathic SPDs wear out fast.  

Their brains use more battery power per minute than the next guy.  They tend to get sick more easily than others. Being able to pick up so much sensory and energetic stimulation floods them with more information about the world than other people get – which is FUN!  But it can also be exhausting.

If this is true for you, consider abandoning your attempts to fit in and to be like everyone else.



You’re NOT like everyone else – you’re differently-abled.

When you find yourself in an unbearable situation, instead of forcing yourself to suffer through to the point of exhaustion, anxiety or panic, choose to care for yourself in new ways. It’s your right, and in fact, it’s your responsibility to yourself to design your environment in a way that supports your well-being.

Examples of Self-Care

Emotions:   

Many Empaths feel other people’s emotion so exquisitely that it can be hard to tell who the emotion belongs to.  Practice asking yourself, “Is this feeling mine, or theirs?”

Merging: 

Empaths have a tendency to merge with others.  Some call it “leaky boundaries”, but this label overlays a negative connotation to something which is actually pretty wonderful.  Merging with, and feeling another’s experience isn’t a weakness – it’s a superpower!  

Society just hasn’t caught on yet. Take care of yourself by choosing wisely who you merge with.

Read 5 Things That Are Self-Care And 5 Things That Are Not


Sensory Overstimulation:   

Just living in your own body can be overstimulating. The feeling of digestion in the belly may be interpreted as a strange, uncomfortable feeling. Pain may be felt more intensely than it is by others. The sound in the ears can be extreme. Being too warm or cold may be too much for the brain to process.  

Caring for yourself means learning to read the signs your body is giving you.  If your internal sensations feel like too much, take a break and sit alone with your eyes closed in a quiet place for 2-5 minutes.

Read 15 Little Ways To Practice Self-Care Even When You Are Busy

Running Extra Programs: 

Living in a body may seem simple enough for most people – a non-issue even. But for you, it may take a certain level of purposefully focused attention just to manage it. Because you are starting out of the gate using more attention and energy to manage internal and external stimuli, it means that less is available for regular life.



Your brain is literally running more programs than the average human being.  Self-care means getting enough rest and alone time. You may need more frequent breaks or to work fewer hours than other people.

Love and care for the special body you’ve been given!

You are literally the miracle of human evolution happening right before the world’s eyes! ~ Paige Bartholomew


Are Empaths Signs of a New Human Evolution
are empaths sign new human evolution pin


Published On:

Last updated on:

Paige Bartholomew

Paige Bartholomew is a licensed psychotherapist who holds a Master’s Degree in individual, marriage and family therapy (LMFT) from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas (License number 201969). In addition, Paige specializes in the healing of relational and developmental Trauma through her studies at both the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute and the Somatic Psychotherapy Institute. She has been a devoted student of Sufism for 16 years, where she is ordained with the station of Sufi Master Teacher and Counselor by the Shadhuliyya Higher Sufi Council. She is a certified hypnotherapist, long-time spiritual healer, student of A Course In Miracles, shamanic journey guide, energy healer, , intuitive channel and passionate writer about consciousness and existential issues. Paige’s gift is in helping Awakening Ones remember who they truly are and what they came here for. It is her highest honor to help you shift from pain and confusion into comfort and peace.

Disclaimer: The informational content on The Minds Journal have been created and reviewed by qualified mental health professionals. They are intended solely for educational and self-awareness purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing emotional distress or have concerns about your mental health, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional or healthcare provider.

Leave a Comment

Today's Horoscope

Accurate Daily Horoscope for 12 Zodiac Signs

Daily Horoscope 16 June 2025: Prediction For Each Zodiac Sign

🌟 Ready to unlock the secrets of 16 June, 2025? Discover your personalized horoscope and see what the stars have in store for you today! ✨🔮

Latest Quizzes

Who Is The Real Father? Only 1% Can Spot - Can You? Fun Quiz

Who Is The Real Father? Only 1% Can Spot The Baby’s Biological Dad In 10 Seconds — Are You One Of Them?

Can you really tell just by looking? Well, here’s your chance to find out.

Latest Quotes

Weekly Horoscope 16 June To 22 June part one

Weekly Horoscope 16 June To 22 June

Weekly Horoscope 16 June To 22 June Aries (March 21 – April 19)Focus sharpens as Mars enters Virgo. Your daily routines get a revamp. Midweek brings a push to act with purpose. By the weekend, mood swings may cloud decisions, rest and reset. Taurus (April 20 – May 20)Creative plans take form through practical effort…

Readers Blog

Caption This Image and Selected Wisepicks – 15 June 2025

Ready to unleash your inner wordsmith? ✨??☺️ Now’s your chance to show off your wit, charm, or sheer genius in just one line! Whether it’s laugh-out-loud funny or surprisingly deep, we want to hear it. Submit your funniest, wittiest, or most thought-provoking caption in the comments. We’ll pick 15+ winners to be featured on our…

Latest Articles

I knew all my life that I was “sensitive” and that I picked up on things that others did not. I also knew that my body didn’t handle sensory stimuli the same way other bodies did.  I could easily become overwhelmed by itchy clothes, too much noise or strange smells.  High emotion in a room could send me over the edge. Why empaths are a sign of new human evolution?




Sometimes if too much input came at me all at once, it would send me into a full-blown panic attack. But it wasn’t until I became a therapist that I came to understand that being an “empath” isn’t just some woo-woo label that New-Agers made up to make themselves feel special.

I learned that my nervous system is actually wired differently than most humans.  When I studied Sensory Processing Disorder, everything came together for me like a Big Bang.



Sensory Processing Disorder  

“SPD is a neurological “traffic jam”.  A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and many other problems that may show up.”  ~ From the Start Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder

The Gifted Empath 

From here forth, I will refer to “Sensory Processing Disorder” as “Sensory Processing DIFFERENCE”.  In my professional view, it’s not a disorder; it’s a manifestation of human evolution.  Empaths, Sensitives and those with Sensory Processing Differences may well have abilities that regular people often marvel at, including the ability to sense subtle sound, light, and energy vibration, emotional subtlety and even mystical phenomena.

In recent years, we’ve seen a rapid increase in the numbers of children born with SPD.  In my opinion, this is a sign that the human race is progressing toward a superior state.  The ability to take in much larger amounts of sensory data is an evolutionary leap for our species.




Read The Science Behind Empathy And Empaths

Quick Checklist: Are you an Empathic SPD Human?

(Note that symptoms can present as both over-sensitivity, or under-sensitivity)

1. Hyper-sensitive to touch: touch may be uncomfortable or ticklish, may avoid tactile stimulation

2.  Hypo-sensitive to touch: May crave touch or seek out strong sensory input

3. Difficulty with Self-Soothing: Has trouble calming self, requires lots of outside help to process life’s challenges, irritability, emotional roller coaster

4. Sensory-avoidant behaviors: afraid of heights, loses balance easily, avoids fast movements, avoids hugs and eye contact




5. Sensory-seeking behaviors: craves fast movement, spinning, thrill-seeking, chewing on pens, fingernails,

6.  Sensitive to negativity:  negative talk, scary stories, violence or cruelty on TV, news, etc…

7.  Social Avoidance: Overwhelmed by sensory input in crowds, likes to spend a lot of time alone

8. Hyper-sensitive to noise: Distracted by noise that others don’t notice, fearful of noise, shock at loud sounds

9. Hypo-sensitive to noise: Doesn’t respond when name is called, seeks loud music or TV, makes noise for fun

10. Hyper-sensitive to smell: Offended by body smells, bathroom smells, cooking smells, can smell odors others cannot

11. Hyper-sensitive to sights: Sensitive to bright light, enjoys dimly lit rooms, avoids eye contact




12. Allergies: Sensitivities to food, environment, medications

13. Immune Disorders: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Lupus, etc…

14. Extra-sensory perception: of any kind

16. Mystical experiences: of any kind

17. Inner Conflict:  Deep sense of wanting a peaceful world but personally experiences internal turmoil – the two don’t seem to match and it may feel confusing.




If you have a handful of these traits, you are probably an Empathic Human who carries Sensory Processing Differences.

Read 25 Signs You’re A Highly Sensitive Person

Self-Care for Highly Sensitive People

It’s not easy to live as a highly sensitive person. The empathic brain doesn’t filter unnecessary stimuli the way other people’s brains do.

Because of this, highly sensitive people tend to take in MORE movement, MORE voices, MORE flashes of color, MORE scents, MORE feelings, and MORE energy.  Empathic SPDs wear out fast.  

Their brains use more battery power per minute than the next guy.  They tend to get sick more easily than others. Being able to pick up so much sensory and energetic stimulation floods them with more information about the world than other people get – which is FUN!  But it can also be exhausting.

If this is true for you, consider abandoning your attempts to fit in and to be like everyone else.



You’re NOT like everyone else – you’re differently-abled.

When you find yourself in an unbearable situation, instead of forcing yourself to suffer through to the point of exhaustion, anxiety or panic, choose to care for yourself in new ways. It’s your right, and in fact, it’s your responsibility to yourself to design your environment in a way that supports your well-being.

Examples of Self-Care

Emotions:   

Many Empaths feel other people’s emotion so exquisitely that it can be hard to tell who the emotion belongs to.  Practice asking yourself, “Is this feeling mine, or theirs?”

Merging: 

Empaths have a tendency to merge with others.  Some call it “leaky boundaries”, but this label overlays a negative connotation to something which is actually pretty wonderful.  Merging with, and feeling another’s experience isn’t a weakness – it’s a superpower!  

Society just hasn’t caught on yet. Take care of yourself by choosing wisely who you merge with.

Read 5 Things That Are Self-Care And 5 Things That Are Not


Sensory Overstimulation:   

Just living in your own body can be overstimulating. The feeling of digestion in the belly may be interpreted as a strange, uncomfortable feeling. Pain may be felt more intensely than it is by others. The sound in the ears can be extreme. Being too warm or cold may be too much for the brain to process.  

Caring for yourself means learning to read the signs your body is giving you.  If your internal sensations feel like too much, take a break and sit alone with your eyes closed in a quiet place for 2-5 minutes.

Read 15 Little Ways To Practice Self-Care Even When You Are Busy

Running Extra Programs: 

Living in a body may seem simple enough for most people – a non-issue even. But for you, it may take a certain level of purposefully focused attention just to manage it. Because you are starting out of the gate using more attention and energy to manage internal and external stimuli, it means that less is available for regular life.



Your brain is literally running more programs than the average human being.  Self-care means getting enough rest and alone time. You may need more frequent breaks or to work fewer hours than other people.

Love and care for the special body you’ve been given!

You are literally the miracle of human evolution happening right before the world’s eyes! ~ Paige Bartholomew


Are Empaths Signs of a New Human Evolution
are empaths sign new human evolution pin


Published On:

Last updated on:

Paige Bartholomew

Paige Bartholomew is a licensed psychotherapist who holds a Master’s Degree in individual, marriage and family therapy (LMFT) from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas (License number 201969). In addition, Paige specializes in the healing of relational and developmental Trauma through her studies at both the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute and the Somatic Psychotherapy Institute. She has been a devoted student of Sufism for 16 years, where she is ordained with the station of Sufi Master Teacher and Counselor by the Shadhuliyya Higher Sufi Council. She is a certified hypnotherapist, long-time spiritual healer, student of A Course In Miracles, shamanic journey guide, energy healer, , intuitive channel and passionate writer about consciousness and existential issues. Paige’s gift is in helping Awakening Ones remember who they truly are and what they came here for. It is her highest honor to help you shift from pain and confusion into comfort and peace.

Leave a Comment

    Leave a Comment