november 20th | journal 9
I've had to accept that, unfortunately, I am a deeply empathetic person, even though I spent years trying to lead with stoicism. I used to think that being composed meant being strong, but I can no longer ignore how attuned I am to the world and the people around me. Empathy, for me, isn't something I consciously perform. It's a kind of presence, or a quiet tuning in to another person's emotional or lived experiences. This sensitivity helps me respond to others in ways that feel thoughtful and relational. I think that is why I have felt so connected to yoga throughout my life, and why I decided to complete my teaching certification. I feel that empathy is an embodiment of another's emotions. So to feel less consumed, I make it less about absorbing others' emotions and more about recognizing my connection to them. I often feel the emotional temperature of a room before anyone says a word: the tension, the hesitation, the slight shifts in energy. I don't know whether this was learned or is just my nature, but it's something I'm learning to value rather than manage away.