Do you feel everything—and then feel responsible for it too?
If you're someone who identifies as an empath, this might sound familiar: you walk into a room and instantly register the emotional temperature. A friend’s silence makes your chest tight. Your partner’s quiet mood at a party pulls you into a spiral of “Are you mad at me?”
In this clip from one of my live retreat workshops, we explore what it means to feel others’ emotions without being consumed by them. Many of us grew up blurring the line between care and responsibility—between noticing feelings and needing to fix them.
We unpack the common pattern of constantly scanning the emotional environment, especially in relationships. It’s not just about being sensitive. It’s about how we’ve wired ourselves to survive and keep the peace, sometimes at the cost of our own nervous system regulation.
What stood out to you in the clip? Please share your thoughts below - I love hearing from you and I love creating a dialogue amongst community.
Key Takeaways
Empathy doesn’t require action. Just because you feel something doesn’t mean you’re responsible for fixing it.
Notice the moment between stimulus and reaction. That pause is where your power lies.
Watch for “Are you okay?” spirals. These often stem from anxiety, not true relational need.
Being attuned is a gift—but without boundaries, it becomes a burden.
Start small: Practice recognizing when you’re taking emotional responsibility that isn’t yours to carry.
Our May live Q&A session for paid subscribers is happening 5/27 at 6pm PT!
This is a chance to ask questions, share your experiences, and gain deeper clarity on what boundaries mean for you. You can also submit any topic or question for me to cover ahead of time.
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