This post is for all those who’ve been told by fam members, friends, even strangers you’ve met: “Wow, you’re so easy to talk to.”
For some ppl, no question, that openness is partially a gift. There are some who just exude warmth, don’t pass judgement so easily, are great listeners, & know just what to say at the right moment.
Empaths often fit that role.
But a couple of things to consider if you are one of those ppl who others come to often…or if you’re someone who keeps going to the well on folks like that in your fam/friends circle:
1) These individuals, while genetics may be part of their warmth, most often develop these skill sets (whether they realized it or not at the time), from facing major life challenges. These challenges span from volatility w their parents in the household growing up, to the loss or sickness or loved ones at young ages (amongst many others). These folks who are open & loving & warm most often BECAME that way, thru navigating a lot of pain, & having to find ways, often w/o even being taught, to self sooth, & to keep the peace for everyone else.
2) As folks like that continue to welcome in others, & offer what they can to help – there’s a LOT of work that goes in to THEM not getting warn down by constantly being an outlet for others. You can only hear the woes of so many others before (w/o tools) the weight & pain of those stories become overwhelming to the listener/receiver.
That’s why these folks have to then, as they get older, do constant work to prevent burnout, refill their own cup, not fly off the handle when things become too much, & be able to continue to listen w an open ear & heart.
These folks aren’t superhuman. They do the work. If they were a bowl of water that kept filling to the brim, their work’s like a drill, making holes in the bottom to constantly lower that water line so they can take on more. Let’s appreciate that!
Thought it was important to point this out so we can appreciate these folks even more. What they do is a gift to us all…but that gift comes w their own pain & work…& as such, checking in w THEM, & making sure THEY are ok to hear more from us.
