Empath Environments: How to create a sanctuary that supports you
Empath Environments:
How to Create a Sanctuary That Supports You…
So you know what an environment is, but what is an empath you ask?
“Dr. Judith Orloff, describes empaths as those who absorb the world’s joys and stresses like “emotional sponges.”
In her book The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People, (great book by the way,) she suggests empaths lack the filters most people use to protect themselves from excessive stimulation and can’t help but take in surrounding emotions and energies, whether they’re good, bad, or something in between.”
But above this definition, empath characteristics include, “having the ability to understand the experiences and feelings of others outside of their own perspective,” and having a strong connection to our own intuition. Which are honestly traits that everyone experiences, it’s just that sometimes empaths feel as though they don’t have a choice in the matter!
Ask yourself if this sounds like you.
When this is the way that you feel the world, an empath’s environment becomes an extremely important place. Often we don’t take the effort to best support ourselves in our spaces. I want to share some tips to fix this!
With some intentional, intuitive choices you can create an environment that you love and which loves you back.
By thinking of your home or any environment as a place of rest, transformation, and empath protection, you can give yourself a place that truly serves you.
Being an empath myself I know how challenging the world outside our front door can be for us, especially right now. I treat my home as my sacred space, where I make the rules, and set the scene for the best healing for myself.
From my sacred space to my bath, I incorporate ritual and mindfulness into my routine as much as I can. And Ive set up my space to support this for myself.
I think people don’t realize how much healing they can discover in their environment. When you really think about how you want to feel in your environment you can create that for yourself too.
By utilizing your empath abilities of sensitivity and connection with your intuition, you can create a space that brings you joy and healing instead of frustration and stress.
When you take ownership for your space you can take your power back, create a space that works to serve your deeper self, recharge your strength, and and bring your best self back into the world which needs you.
An empath that has an environment that doesn’t support them risks burnout and overwhelm. Empaths and anxiety do not need to be connected. But an empath that does create an environment that lights them up through serenity and peace, is recharged and can bring their gifts of depth and empathy to the rest of the world which really needs these gifts right now!
Here are some great places to start in creating sanctuary for yourself:
1. De-clutter:
I can’t stress this enough! Clutter in your environment can cause undue stress on your nervous system. If you don’t believe me, think about how you feel when everything is clean and in its place… don’t you feel lighter! I know I do. This makes it very important that your environment can be put in order. If you clean your home and still feel stressed out, it’s time to purge those things that are not serving your best self! Your mental space will be all the better for it I promise.
2. Carve out a sacred space for yourself:
Boundaries are super important for empaths! Out there in the world soaking up everyones emotions can feel like there is no difference between where you end and the rest of the world. When you come home you need to be able to feel like some space is all yours. Somewhere in your home should be especially for you. Whether it’s just a shelf in your closet where you keep all your vintage perfume bottles, or your converted garage studio where you can shut the door and be with yourself while painting. Prioritize your boundaries somewhere, you deserve them.
3. Remove any object that doesn’t serve you directly.
When you enter a room in your home does something feel off? Do you feel unsettled in some way? Because you are a sensitive person even the little things can be affecting you. I’m going to tell you a story. When I was a little girl my grandmother found a pretty leaf on the ground on our morning walk and she gave it to me. Many hours later in the evening she realized my little four year old fist was clasped very tightly she asked me what I had and I showed her the little leaf she gave me… This for me symbolizes how seriously we empaths take things. We know how precious things are. This sympathy often gets placed on the objects around us. Ask yourself is there anything in your home that no longer serves the person you desire to become? Maybe an ex gave you something and every time you see it it brings up hard feelings for you? For everything in your environment ask yourself if its time to release your grip…
4. Listen to your feelings
When you come into your own environment how do you feel? Get quiet and listen to your intuition. What comes up for you? Your heart knows best! If your environment doesn’t light you up take some time for yourself to find out why. A great place to start is with visualizing your perfect day or making a vision board. When you collect these thoughts and images that inspire you, look around your environment and see if you see your inner desires are reflected in your reality. If not it’s time to make some changes… use your inner work activities as inspiration. Your soul knows the way it always has.
5. Add things that bring you happiness
Call your power back! A great way to do this in your space is to identify and amplify the things that you love the most! The things that you love and desire are the things that re-establish your energy. Look around your environment. Which objects speak to you the most? How can you honor these pieces more? Maybe certain areas don’t match the energy you want. For example maybe you have a hand me down desk in your office that has never been your favorite, maybe you should prioritize up cycling it into your aesthetic, or thrifting one you actually love!
6. Connect with yourself:
I think this is the most important tip as an Empath. When you are as sensitive to others as we are its easy to get lost in the muck. I know for me I often feel like a floating head that is just a bundle of reactions. It’s important to continuously reconnect with yourself, your inner voice/intuition. I find that taking a moment, any length of time, to remember who I am and what makes me me with a deep breath can reset my soul. I often do this when jumping in the shower or throwing my keys on the counter when I come into my house.
Another great way to do this is with self care rituals. One of mine is sitting down in front of my sacred space, my altar. On it I have my crystal collection, some sand from my favorite place, incense and some statues that represent things that are special to me. This is where I sit on a pillow and collect myself when I need some peace. A sacred space is anywhere that you have gathered things that are special to you I highly recommend you do this for yourself.
ps: some great crystals for empaths are: Clear Quartz, Black Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, and Amethyst, if you are into them!
I explain my bath ritual in this post here, water is a beautiful way to wash off those bad vibes from the outside world! Empaths and water are great friends!
What are some rituals that you have that you can be more intentional with?
I know when I focus on these things it allows me to truly be my real self and bring my best to others. Let me know if you guys found any of these things helpful. I would also love to hear how you all engage in self care in your environments and how you set them up to serve you!
Find my article on creating your own sacred space here!
Where ever you find your empathetic self remember…
“Within you is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time.”
Your environment will love you back for your effort I promise!
Thank you so much for reading!
Hi I’m Catherine,
“I balance authentic interior design with intuitive insight to help my clients connect to their deeper selves by empowering their own creative self expression.
I create space for them to follow their desires and depth of feeling, into a new environment that supports them, mind, body, & soul”
Love,
Catherine Rose
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