Relationships can be challenging for Empaths because it is important for us to have an adequate amount of time to ourselves and while some Empaths choose to remain single, there are benefits in being with the right kind of person in a loving relationship. The difference between a loving relationship and that of family and friends is the amount of time we spend with them.
Being alone is helpful to Empaths as it is a good time for us to recharge and balance ourselves. What we need in our relationships is someone who will understand, support and love us unconditionally. Getting a hug each day is very important for us as well, it helps us to feel safer.
The following reveals the pros and cons of being in a relationship with the different types of people that come into our lives.
1. Opposites Attract
On one end of the emotional sensitivity scale are Empaths and on the other end are Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Psychopaths. If you are skilled enough to recognize Narcissists, Sociopaths and Psychopaths, the best thing to do is to run away as fast as you can as there is little benefit here!
These folks will eventually completely drain you, control you and steal your self-esteem. They may seem completely charming, interested in you in the beginning, and this is how they manipulate you to believing that they are the best partner for you. This is the trap that a lot of Empaths fall in to.
So what is the difference between Psychopaths and Sociopaths? Both share a number of the same characteristics, including a lack of empathy, remorse, and guilt. The core quality of both is a deceitful and manipulative nature. While sociopaths are less emotionally stable and highly impulsive, psychopaths plan down to the smallest detail and take calculated risks to avoid detection.
Narcissists have a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration and a lack of empathy. Being in a relationship with them will leave the Empath so busy in trying to please them that there will be no time for self-nurturing as they will not obtain much nurturing from a Narcissist. They do not have the ability to care for others, which is the complete opposite of an Empath. They will leave the Empath so depleted that it will affect their health and wellbeing.
2. With Other Empaths
This is a very challenging match as you will both find it hard to know what emotions are yours and which emotions are the other persons. It’s hard enough being an Empath and dealing with the emotions of others as well as your partner’s. They will understand you more than most and if you have strong boundaries it can work well.
It would need to be an open relationship where you will both take the time to discuss what is being felt on a daily basis. If this kind of work done there is an opportunity for both partners to fast track their spiritual development.
3. With Non-Empaths
These folks will never get you and it will eventually destroy your sense of self and self-esteem. I once had a boyfriend that would hum the Twilight Zone theme whenever I started talking about anything spiritual, and this would make me doubt myself. They will never understand how you see the world and it will halt your development. So do yourself a favor and let them go. On the other hand, it can be an opportunity for the Empath to work on their skills and gifts. If you have patience and keep yourself well cared for and keep in mind that this person doesn’t understand you completely, it can train you to cope better in a world where the majority of people are non-empaths.
4. With Highly Sensitive People
A relationship with a Highly Sensitive person is probably the best match for Empaths as they can understand what it is like to be sensitive to the emotions of others. You will still have to watch out how your emotions mix together and communication is the utmost importance to make this relationship thrive. Awareness and good boundaries would be the key along with honesty.
How can I nurture a broken heart of an Empath, all the while dealing with the fact it’s not me (his wife of 20+ years) that he’s in love with?
4.5
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Renae Lawrence
One thing I feel that you are missing that you may want to cover in future articles is that there are more and less evolved forms of the different types.
A damaged ’empath’ could get diagnosed as someone with Borderline Personality Disorder…..and believe me, they can be the destructive ones every bit if not more so than a Narcissist. At the lowest vibrational states, they can lose true empathy and replace it entirely with projection and fear. Most people diagnosed with BPD still retain a high level of empathy though.
Now lets take an example even more extreme than a Narcissist….a full blown psychic vampire who is conscious of what they are doing. Someone who has let themselves get into such a low state that they know they need the energy and begin to view people opportunistically.
If the more evolved form of someone with Borderline Personality Disorder is something like a priestess, after he or she has overcome the fear of death and loss and separation and come to terms with the temporary nature of reality in favor of higher truths…..The the more evolved form of the opposite type would be a champion, maybe a revolutionary or philosopher like a Che Guevara or Jim Morrison….Famous powerful people full of love who actually do good for the world, and yes they benefit from the love of the people. That is what sustains them.
A very damaged empath in a fear based state can be the aggressor and not only a victim. Empathy only promotes the common good if there is a love for oneself as well as for the other at the same time.
If we both strive for our more evolved states, we still become a perfect match.
Your response was actually quite evolved and much better than the article itself. I have struggled with the right relationship and you are right about borderline and unhealthy empaths. We all have a journey. It’s all about evolving. Evolving is tough…sonetimes i think it is a journey that can only be done solo. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for posting. Perfect timing!
very emotional from soul
Liv Wujek