I have been holding on to the feeling of inadequacy since childhood. I was told “in a since” I was not “good enough” with behavioral, educational and other things. I have struggled to perfect everything I do to prove I am “good enough”. My wife is a big supporter of me and tells me “not everything has to be perfect”, especially when I am building something, repairing something or trying to communicate in exact words. I like to see the results of my labor, focus and workmanship. This gives me the feeling of “good enough”. I struggle for approval of others in order to feel “good enough”. I know that has helped mold me into who I am today. I see, I went through and still am going through that pain, so others don’t have to. I hold up others up and encourage them, so they can have a better life than I did and do. One of my 1st graders started crying at practice on Monday evening. I asked him what was wrong. He told me “I’m not good at football.” I comforted him and told him he is still learning and the doesn’t mean he’s not good at football. I told him “I am a coach and I am still learning stuff about football all the time.” This allowed him to stop crying. I told him to try or do his best and that is all that matters. What others think doesn’t matter. I told him to go back out there and practice football. I had a sigh of relief and gratitude I could help him, but I still carry the “not good enough” pain and seem to “collect” that negative energy from others when I help them. At least he is no longer feeling that right now and he is happy. That’s why I do it. I feel like I am protecting others and “lifting them up”.

@Audra Key @Sherry Dolly @Casie Powell @Brandy Tibbetts The Tibbettian Oracle @Stacy Dexter I tagged everyone in this thread. I am an introvert at times and less an extrovert but a little. I too, am drained being a deep empath as well. I struggle with authenticity at times because I pick up on other’s energy, vibes, emotions and body languages. I want to “balance” people, conversations, the environment and universe. Audra, I like the colors but your house is too eccentric for me. I am glad you are “doing you”. It has so much “going on”, I can not focus on one thing or color and my ADHD anxiety goes into overdrive. I feel overwhelmed and yet I want to encourage you to do what makes you happy. Which one is my authentic self? Are we “programmed” in society to not be honest when we don’t necessarily agree, like or prefer with someone or something? It’s draining at times. I would like to know from you, another empath, how do you traverse these things without draining yourself? I truly don’t know at times how to handle it all. I also feel “spirts”, “souls” and other things I cannot see with my eyes, yet I can see with my “mind’s eye” at times. These “things” tend to drain energy from me when they try to “connect” or communicate with me. They seem to come to me when I am calm, at peace and completely relaxed. I think it is because I have “let my walls down” and am open for them to try to communicate with me. Ladies I don’t know if this affects you but, when men pee standing up, we have to be relaxed and allow it to flow. We have a bladder and a prostate (a small muscle about the size of a large pecan that wraps around our urethra). Both of these have to be relaxed to pee. Anyway, I have received these “things” in public bathrooms, when I have to be completely relaxed, when my guard is down and I am open to the universe. It is very draining at times.

Love that! A look at the positives that are working out for you and not the negatives that sometimes accompany them. Be willing to accept what good comes to you! If you tried to go or do something in a different direction and it brings you back the start, then you know you are to receive and accept that.

You will start to feel so much better when you “choose yourself” as a priority! Far too long we tend to self sacrifice for the betterment of others and receive little to nothing in return. When others have content because you choose to take care of yourself first, then you will see who people really are. They will accuse you of what they actually are, selfish, takers, not givers and users. Those are the people who do not deserve your energy, attention or power. They get moved down the list of priorities. If you have time for them at the end of the day, that’s when they “get time from you”. If they choose to not be around you anymore, then that’s on them, not you! True friends will congratulate and encourage you to make yourself a priority first, top of the list! They will check in on you and ask if they can help you without anything in return. Those are the ones that deserve your love, power, energy and love, after you take care of yourself! They will choose to stay around and with you, through the “thick and thin”. Those are your true, best friends to have in your life!