There's No Such Thing as an Empath

Have you ever heard someone say, "There's no such thing as an empath"? The idea gets tossed around often-dismissed as a trendy label or something invented by people who feel too much.

I get it. For years, I didn't even know what an empath was even. If someone had told me long ago that I'd one day identify with the term, I probably would've laughed. Yet here I am, looking back at the journey that led me to understand this truth: empaths are real.

It wasn't an easy realization. It didn't come all at once. My discovery was gradual, marked by whispers from the universe, unmistakable signs, and a lot of doubt along the way. For the longest time, I didn't even know the word "empath" existed. But eventually, I couldn't ignore the truth of who I was. Let me take you back to how it all began.

The First Clue: Spongy People

It started with an article in a magazine. I remember flipping through the pages when a headline caught my eye: Are You a Spongy Person? Intrigued, I read on. The article described people who could absorb the emotions of those around them, sometimes without realizing it. They were like emotional sponges, picking up on the energy of others and carrying it as if it were their own.

The more I read, the more I felt a tug of recognition. The words mirrored experiences I'd had my whole life. I thought about how I could walk into a room and instantly sense tension, sadness, or joy-even if no one said a word. I thought about how I often felt drained after being around certain people, as though I had taken on their emotional burdens.

But instead of embracing the connection, I pushed it away. "This can't be me," I thought. "These people sound so special. I'm just ... me."

I tucked the magazine away, trying to forget about it. But the idea lingered, quietly working its way into my awareness.

The Second Clue: The License Plate

Years passed. Life moved on, but the question of whether I was "spongy" remained in the back of my mind. Then, one day, I saw a sign so obvious that I couldn't ignore it-literally.

I was out running errands when I noticed a car parked nearby. Its license plate read, quite boldly, EMPATH.

I froze. Was the universe trying to tell me something? It felt like a giant, flashing neon sign, screaming, Pay attention!

Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to ask the car's owner about it. When I saw him, I half-jokingly asked if "Empath" was his last name, even though I already knew it wasn't. He laughed and explained that he was, in fact, an empath-a person who could deeply feel and absorb the emotions of others.

He spoke about empaths with such confidence and clarity. I listened, nodding along, but deep down, I still wasn't ready to claim the term for myself. Part of me couldn't believe that I might share this unique gift.

The Third Clue: Empaths and Narcissists

It wasn't until I stumbled across the connection between empaths and narcissists that everything finally clicked. I started reading about the dynamics between these two types of people-how empaths, with their deep capacity for compassion, often attract narcissists, who thrive on taking from others.

The descriptions felt eerily familiar. Suddenly, I understood why certain relationships in my life had felt so heavy, draining, and one-sided. It was as if a light bulb had gone off, illuminating parts of myself I had never fully understood. I was relieved and saddened all at once as the tears ran continuously down my cheeks. You mean to tell me that I have lived my life not knowing this at all. Was life playing a joke on me?

Finally, I couldn't deny it any longer. I was an empath.

Teaching Others to See Their Radiance

Once I embraced this truth about myself, it became impossible not to see it in others. Friends, clients, and even strangers began opening up to me about their experiences-about feeling overwhelmed in crowds, absorbing the emotions of loved ones, and needing to retreat into solitude to recharge.

I'd smile and gently say, "You're an empath."

But even as I used the word, it started to feel limiting. It didn't capture the full beauty of what it means to live as someone so deeply attuned to the energy of the world. That's when I started using the term Radiant Soul instead.

To me, Radiant Souls are more than empaths. They're lights in the world-people who radiate love, connection, and understanding in ways that transform the spaces they inhabit.

The Challenges of Being a Radiant Soul

Of course, being a Radiant Soul isn't always easy. Without boundaries, the gift of sensitivity can quickly turn into a burden. I learned this the hard way.

There were times when I felt completely drained, carrying emotions that weren't even mine. I'd take on the sadness of a friend, the stress of a coworker, or even the tension of a stranger I passed on the street. It felt like a weight I couldn't put down.

And then there's the pattern so many empaths fall into: the need to save and rescue others. This can look like taking care of everyone else's needs, offering help even when we're exhausted, or giving endlessly to avoid focusing on our own inner world.

This, I've come to learn, is the heart of the challenge for empaths. The drive to care for others often masks a deeper truth: we're avoiding ourselves. The emotions, desires, and parts of us that have been repressed and buried are calling out for attention. But instead of looking inward, we direct all our energy outward, believing that saving others will somehow bring us peace.

Here's the key: Stop avoiding you.

The path to healing and thriving as an empath-or Radiant Soul-lies in choosing yourself. It's about pausing the endless caregiving and rescuing, and instead, turning that compassionate gaze inward.

You can't do it alone. You simply cannot see yourself in that way,-period. The journey to uncovering the true you-the one who has been waiting beneath the layers of giving, sacrificing, and avoiding-requires support. Find someone you trust, someone with whom you feel safe to explore the deep work of transformation. Whether it's a coach, a guide, or a mentor, choose someone who can hold space for you as you reconnect with the radiant soul you've always been.

This is the work I do with sensitive souls like you. I guide you back to yourself, helping you uncover and embrace the parts of you that are ready to shine. If you feel called, reach out to me. Or find someone who resonates with you and can walk alongside you on this journey.

The most important thing is this: choose you. Your true self is waiting for you, ready to be seen, heard, and loved.

Embracing the Gift

Looking back, I see how each clue-the magazine article, the license plate, and the teachings about empaths and narcissists-was a stepping stone on my journey. They were signs guiding me home to myself.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the energy of the world, if you've ever carried emotions that didn't feel like your own, or if you've ever wondered why you feel things so deeply, I invite you to explore this possibility: you might be a Radiant Soul.

This path isn't always easy, but it's profoundly rewarding. As you learn to honour your sensitivity, set boundaries, and nurture yourself, you'll discover that your gift is also your greatest strength.

So, to all the Radiant Souls out there: embrace your light. The world needs it more than ever.