How being different feels liberating

"I thought not fitting in was something I had to fix. Now I see it as my superpower." - Maxime Lagacé

First off, if you're an empath, hands in the air. Ha ha ha.

Okay, here the thing.

Before I knew the word ‘empath’ and what it meant, I'd for a long been made to feel like fish out of water, especially among my male buddies. Like I was a mishap guy, whatever that means. Nope, I bear no grudge ’cause, although I did years past, I know better now. Emotional intelligence, I've learned, is not an ability every person possesses.

So, over time, as I grew older, I became more worried over why I seem to be more emotional that my buddies, more sentimental as opposed to their coolheaded logic and pragmatism. It did bother me, no kidding. They'd complain some times how I'm always letting my feeling get the better of me. My God, are you a man or woman, bro? Sometimes, they don't say it loud, but I could feel all of it in their silence, could see it in the look on their face.

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I felt alone.

I could understand them, but none could understand me. Freak. Weird. Those were the words that kept ringing in my head.

Why could I attune so deeply with the emotions of people around me, especially the dark feelings? It's not like I've experienced all the things they've been through, so why? It's not like the exact same exciting thing has happened to before then.

I could not control the connection. It was overwhelming most of the time. As much I loved to be quite the attentive listener to my friends and family, I also wanted to be their emotional support without myself becoming an emotional wreck. That's when I began to search for help, for answers.

Then I learned the word ‘empath’, and the two categories: unaware and empowered empath. I read, watched videos, researched—all on how to become an empowered empath.

And I learned; I’m still learning.

Not there yet, not there yet, but I'm making great progress at being one. Now I can really be there for the people I cherish, listen to them pour their heart out, attune, say the right words to soothe them, and afterwards not go home a mess myself. How liberating.