Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
You're listening to
the Realized Empath Podcast,
where we get real about lovingand stumbling through our
sensitive lives With your hostand holistic counselor, Kristin
Schwartz, who helps redefinewhat's possible for an empath
who embraces a path ofself-healing.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Hello, wonderful
listeners, welcome back to
another episode of RealizedEmpath Podcast.
I'm Kristin, your guide on thisjourney of emotional
empowerment.
So today we're tackling a topicthat many of us find
challenging surviving theholidays as an empath.
So the holiday season which isbright lights, festive
(00:47):
gatherings can also be awhirlwind of emotional energy
for us empaths, and it oftenmeans navigating a complex maze
of feelings and sensations.
Think back to your last holidayseason.
You remember the bustle offamily dinners, the laughter,
(01:10):
the occasional clashing ofpersonalities and the myriad of
emotions that come with theseason.
For an empath, this can be botha beautiful and an overwhelming
experience.
We feel everything more deeply,from the joy and love to the
stress and anxiety.
It's like walking into a roomand instantly tuning into the
(01:33):
emotions of everyone that'spresent.
So this heightened sensitivityit can be a gift, but during the
holidays it can be a lot tonavigate.
So that's why, in this episode,we're going to explore ways to
embrace the holiday season whilehonoring our unique empathic
nature.
We'll discuss how to manage theemotional overload, how to set
(01:57):
boundaries and find peace amidstthe chaos, whether you're
attending a family gathering ora social event, or maybe you'd
rather do the holidays solo, butyou still have to navigate the
stores.
So this episode is going to beyour toolkit for not just
surviving but thriving thisholiday season.
(02:19):
Grab a cozy blanket, pouryourself a warm drink and let's
get started.
Let's explore our understandingof our empathic nature,
especially during the holidayseason.
You know, the holidays aren'tjust about festive lights and
gift giving.
They're an emotional rollercoaster and as impasse, we
(02:39):
experience these emotions on amagnified scale.
It's like being in a room whereevery laughter and tear echoes
in our hearts.
This can be beautiful, but itcan also be overwhelming.
How do we distinguish betweenwhat we feel and what we absorb
from others?
Well, it starts with a simplebut powerful practice
(03:04):
Mindfulness of our emotionalstate.
So when you feel a sudden waveof emotion, I want you to take a
moment and ask yourself is thismine?
Just recognizing that anemotion isn't ours can lessen
its grip.
Now, this doesn't mean ignoringothers' feelings, but it's
(03:24):
about understanding our ownemotional boundaries.
And remember, it's okay to feeljoy differently If the holiday
cheer feels too loud.
It's okay to find solace in thequieter joys A cup of hot
chocolate, a favorite book, asolitary walk.
Finding your empathic nature isabout blending into the holiday
(03:47):
chaos.
It's about finding your uniqueway to experience joy and peace.
Moving on to navigating familydynamics during the holidays, so
this can be like walkingthrough a maze of emotions for
an empath.
So much history, so much energy.
(04:09):
So family gatherings are atapestry of personalities we
know that and histories, and asempaths we often find ourselves
absorbing not just the presentemotions but also the unspoken
historical family dynamics.
We're highly sensitive people,so we're going to notice the
(04:34):
little subtleties of humanbehavior, those wounds that we
still hold onto from the past.
They're gonna be very muchpresent.
So here's a tool I foundinvaluable setting intentional
boundaries.
So this doesn't mean buildingwalls and it means understanding
(04:55):
your limits.
It's about giving yourselfpermission to step back when
conversations get intense orwhen you start to feel
overwhelmed.
You have to really set theintention to stay present in
your body and notice your mind.
When you start to notice yourmind going into the more
(05:16):
negative self-talk, when youstart to notice your body or
nervous system getting agitated,a discrete walk outside or a
few moments alone can beincredibly rejuvenating.
And speaking of rejuvenation,find your allies within these
gatherings.
Maybe it's a sibling whounderstands your nature, or a
(05:36):
cousin you vibe with having asupportive presence can make a
world of difference.
So share a look, joke or evenhave just a quick chat, but
these small moments ofconnection can be your anchors
in the sea of emotions.
Now let's talk about socialgathering and managing your
(05:58):
energy within those gatherings.
We all know the holiday seasoncan be full of parties and
social events and for an impact,this can feel like navigating a
stormy sea.
So we walk into a room andsuddenly we're attuned to every
undercurrent of emotion.
It can be exhilarating and itcan be draining.
(06:19):
So how do you manage yourenergy?
It's about finding a balance.
You don't have to attend everyevent.
Even when the pressure's put onyou.
You can choose the ones thatresonate with you, and it's
perfectly fine to leave early ordrive separately if you need to
(06:41):
.
It's about honoring your energylevels and not over-committing.
And when you're at the events,you want to practice selective
engagement.
So engaging conversations thatuplift you and feel free to
excuse yourself from those thatdrain you.
Here's a little trick you wantto find a quiet spot now and
(07:03):
then Even just a few minutesfrom the crowd can help recharge
you.
Remember, managing your energyis not about avoiding social
interactions.
It's about engaging with themin a way that's respectful to
your empathic nature.
Now let's gently tap into atopic that many of us find
(07:23):
challenging Coping with holidayexpectations.
So the holidays often come witha long list of shoulds and
musts.
Raise your hand.
If you've experienced that, youknow what I mean the perfect
gift, the perfect meal, theperfect decorations.
But who defines this perfection?
(07:44):
Where does that come from?
And maybe you're the one that'sholding yourself to this idea
of perfection.
Whose voice is that in yourhead?
So certainly it's not ourempathic selves, because our
empathic selves thrive onauthenticity and deep connection
.
So you want to come back intotune with that part of yourself.
(08:06):
So first, I invite you toacknowledge the external
pressures, recognize them forwhat they are Societal
constructs, not mandates foryour happiness.
Okay, now what about redefiningexpectations?
How about setting intentionsinstead of expectations?
(08:28):
So an intention is like enjoymoments of connection or find
joy in simple things and even bekind to yourself.
So you want to replace theperfect with good enough.
And remember the holiday seasonis not a performance.
It's a time to connect withwhat truly matters to you, and
(08:51):
sometimes that might mean aquiet evening with a book
instead of a loud bustling party.
Last, you want to give yourselfpermission to experience the
holidays in a way that feelright to you Like.
If large gatherings areoverwhelming, then seek smaller,
more intimate settings.
If gift giving causes youanxiety, explore alternative
(09:16):
ways to show love, like writingheartfelt notes or spending
quality time together.
So you're the curator of yourholiday experience.
You want to embrace that powerand create a holiday season that
resonates with your empathicnature.
All right, moving forward, let'saddress a common experience for
(09:39):
many impasse emotional overload.
So the holidays can be like anemotional buffet with a vast
array of feelings on offer.
So it's easy to becomeoverwhelmed, to feel like we're
drowning in a sea of emotion,and the first step in coping
with this is to recognize thesigns of overload.
(10:01):
Are you feeling unusually tired, irritable or anxious?
What does your body feel like?
Is there tightness in yourchest?
Is there tightness in yourthroat?
Do you suddenly feel your moodshifting?
Is it hard to concentrate?
Or are you feeling usually down?
So these can all be signs thatyou're taking on too much
(10:25):
emotionally.
So let's cover some strategiesto cope with this overload.
Creating a personal sanctuarycan be incredibly helpful.
This doesn't have to bephysical space, it can be a
mental or emotional retreat.
So maybe it's a few minutes oflistening to soothing music or a
(10:47):
short walk outside, or evenjust a few deep breaths.
Your sanctuary is your safeharbor in the storm of holiday
emotions, so you can retreat toit whenever you feel the waves
getting too high.
Finally, remember the power ofsaying no, the empowered no.
(11:08):
If it's not a hell yes, thenmake it an empowered no.
No is a complete sentence andit's a powerful tool in your
impact toolkit.
So I invite you to try thisholiday season to not explain
yourself.
You don't have to attend everyevent, you don't have to
participate in every traditionand you don't have to meet every
(11:31):
expectation.
Sometimes the mostcompassionate thing you can do
for yourself is to opt out, torecharge, to return when you
feel more balanced.
It's not selfish, it'sself-awareness, it's self-care,
and in taking care of yourself,you're better equipped to enjoy
(11:52):
the true spirit of the holidays.
Okay, let's talk about the joyof giving empath style.
So, as empaths, we understandthe power of a thoughtful gift.
It's not just about the itemitself, it's about the emotion
and the connection it represents.
And during the holidays, thistakes on a special significance.
(12:14):
When choosing gifts, we canoften feel the emotions of the
recipient, imagining their joyor surprise and gratitude.
This can turn gift giving intoan emotionally rich experience.
But remember, it's not aboutthe price tag or the wow factor.
It's about the thought and theempathy behind it.
(12:38):
Think personalized, meaningfulgifts that resonate with the
receiver's personality or needs.
Maybe it's a handcrafted item,a book you know they love, or
even a heartfelt letter.
Right, these gifts can carry apiece of our empathic
understanding, making thempriceless.
But don't forget that giftgiving can also mean
(13:00):
non-material things.
Offering your time, a listeningear or a helping hand can
sometimes be the most preciousgift, especially during the
holiday season.
As you immerse yourself in thejoy of giving, don't forget to
be mindful of your own emotionalwell-being.
It's easy to get caught up inthe rush and that desire to make
(13:21):
everyone happy.
Remember to step back, breathe,recognize your own needs,
because the balance betweengiving to others and caring for
yourself is vital, especiallyfor empaths.
So as we wrap our gifts, let'salso wrap ourselves in
self-compassion andunderstanding.
(13:42):
So we all know that theholidays come with their own set
of traditions and rituals, somewhich might overwhelm us.
So why not create your ownEmpath-friendly rituals can be a
sanctuary, a way to celebratethe season in a way that
resonates with your inner self.
(14:03):
Let's think about what makes usfeel calm, happy or at peace.
Maybe it's a quiet evening witha book, maybe it's a walk in
nature or a small gathering withclose friends.
These moments can become yourpersonal holiday rituals.
So creating your own ritualsdoesn't mean discarding
(14:25):
traditional ones.
It's about adding personaltouches that honor your nature.
Maybe it's lighting a candleand reflecting each night, or
playing music that soothes yoursoul, or crafting homemade
decorations.
These acts of self-expressioncan be incredibly fulfilling and
grounding during the holidayhustle.
(14:47):
And remember, when you craftthese rituals, they're not set
in stone.
Feel free to adapt and changethem as you evolved or as your
needs shift.
The beauty of personalizedrituals is that they grow with
you.
They can provide a sense oftradition, sure, but also
comfort, year after year.
So this holiday season, takesome time to create rituals that
(15:10):
nourish your empathic soul andcelebrate the season your own
unique way.
As our episode nears its end, Iwant to take a moment and
reflect and look forward.
The holidays, with all theircomplexity, also offer a time
for introspection, and, asempaths, we have this natural
(15:32):
inclination toward deep thinkingand feeling, and let's use this
to our advantage.
Reflect on the past year yourgrowth, the challenges and the
moments of joy.
What have you learned aboutyourself?
How has your empathic natureshaped these experiences?
(15:52):
Looking forward, let's thinkabout the upcoming year.
What are your hopes, youraspirations?
How can you use your empathicabilities to enhance your life
and the lives of those aroundyou?
Setting intentions for the newyear can be a powerful exercise.
It's not just about resolutions.
(16:13):
It's about understanding yourinner desires and aligning your
actions with them.
And as we step into the newyear, let's carry with us the
lessons and experiences of thepast.
Let's embrace our empathicnature, not just as a part of
who we are, but as a guidinglight.
Your sensitivity, your empathy,is a gift, one that can bring
(16:36):
understanding, compassion anddeep connection.
So here's to a new year filledwith empathy, growth and
self-discovery.
As we come to an end of ourtime together.
Today, I want to extend aheartfelt thank you to each one
of you for joining me on thisjourney of 2023.
(16:57):
Your presence, your listening,your empathic nature, they're
all part of this beautifultapestry we're weaving together
at Realized Empath.
Remember, the holiday season,with all its challenges and joys
, is a journey we navigatetogether, learning and growing
along the way.
Now, if today's episoderesonated with you and you're
(17:21):
also seeking deeper explorationand support in your empathic
journey, I have somethingspecial for you.
It's my 12-week program, energyMastered.
So this program is designedspecifically for empaths like
you who want to delve deeperinto understanding and
harnessing their unique gifts.
Over 12 weeks, we're going toexplore a range of topics and
(17:44):
techniques tailored to help youmanage your energy, set
boundaries and truly thrive asan empath.
To join Energy Mastered, or tosimply learn more about the
program, visit my website atRealizedEmpathcom.
You'll find all the detailsthere, along with resources to
help you on your empath journey.
Remember you're not alone.
(18:05):
This program is a space ofgrowth, connection and
empowerment.
So if you're ready to take thenext step in mastering your
empathic energy, I'd be honoredto guide you on this
transformative journey.
The start date of the programis March 2024 and seats are
filling up fast.
Thank you again for tuning into Realized Empath.
(18:27):
I'm wishing you a peaceful andjoyous holiday season.
Until next time, which will be2024, take care and embrace your
incredible empathic nature.
Bye, everybody.