Empaths have some pretty unique abilities that make them different from everyone else. Sometimes these differences can feel overwhelming or confusing, especially when other people don’t understand what’s happening.
If you’re an empath, you probably know what it’s like to feel things more deeply than others. You might pick up on emotions and energy that other people completely miss. This can be both amazing and exhausting at the same time.
Here are some weird things that empaths do. If you’re nodding along as you read these, you’re probably one of the rare people who truly understands what being an empath is all about.
1. You Become Whatever Emotion Your Friend Is Having
This weird thing that empaths do happens automatically. When someone around you is sad, you feel sad too. When they’re excited, you get excited. When they’re angry, you start feeling angry even though nothing bad happened to you.
It’s not just sympathy or caring about someone. You literally take on their emotions as if they were your own. You might walk into a room feeling perfectly fine, but if someone there is stressed out, you’ll suddenly feel stressed too.
This can be really confusing because you might not even realize the emotions aren’t yours. You could spend hours feeling upset and not understand why, only to realize later that you were picking up on someone else’s bad day.
Quick tip: Try to check in with yourself regularly. Ask “Is this feeling actually mine?” It can help you figure out when you’re absorbing someone else’s emotions.
2. Broken People Find You Like You’re Wearing a Neon Sign
Another weird thing that empaths do is attract people who need help. It’s like you have an invisible sign that says “I’ll listen to your problems and try to fix them.” People who are going through tough times seem to find you everywhere.
This might be the friend who always calls when they’re having a crisis. Or the coworker who vents to you every single day. Sometimes even strangers will start telling you their life story in line at the grocery store.
While it feels good to help people, this pattern can wear you out. You might notice that many of your relationships are one-sided. You’re always the one giving support, but you rarely get support back.
These “broken” people aren’t necessarily bad. They’re just drawn to your caring energy. But some people, especially those with narcissistic tendencies, will specifically look for empaths to take advantage of.
Quick tip: It’s okay to set limits on how much you help others. You can’t fix everyone, and trying to do so will only drain your energy.
3. You Know Things About People Before They Tell You
Empaths have incredibly strong intuition. This weird thing that empaths do can feel almost psychic sometimes. You meet someone new and immediately get a feeling about whether they’re trustworthy or not. You can sense when someone is lying, even if they’re good at hiding it.
You pick up on tiny details that other people miss completely. Maybe it’s the way someone’s voice changes slightly when they’re not being honest. Or you notice their body language doesn’t match their words.
People might think you’re being paranoid or judgemental, but your gut feelings are usually right. Your intuition has probably saved you from toxic relationships and bad situations more times than you can count.
This ability comes from being so tuned in to energy and emotions. While other people only hear the words someone is saying, you’re picking up on all the unspoken feelings underneath.
Quick tip: Trust your first impressions about people. If something feels off, there’s probably a good reason for that feeling.
4. You Can’t Watch Violent Movies or the News (Your Friends Think You’re Being Dramatic)
While everyone else is binge-watching crime shows and action movies, empaths often can’t handle violent or disturbing content. This weird thing that empaths do isn’t about being weak or overly sensitive. It’s because you feel everything so intensely.
When you watch someone get hurt on screen, even though you know it’s fake, your body reacts as if it’s real. You might get physically sick, have nightmares, or feel upset for days afterward.
The news can be just as difficult to watch. All the stories about tragedy, conflict, and suffering feel overwhelming. You care deeply about what’s happening in the world, but taking in too much negative information can be crushing.
Your friends might not understand why you have to leave the room during certain scenes or why you avoid certain types of shows. They might think you’re being dramatic, but you’re just protecting your emotional wellbeing.
Quick tip: It’s perfectly okay to skip violent content and limit news consumption. You can stay informed without overwhelming yourself with disturbing images and stories.
5. Everyone Else’s Problems Are More Important Than Yours
Empaths have a habit of putting everyone else first. This weird thing that empaths do comes from genuinely caring about others, but it can be harmful to your own wellbeing. You might ignore your own needs because someone else seems to need help more urgently.
Your friend is going through a breakup, so you put your own relationship issues on hold. Your family member is stressed about work, so you don’t mention that you’re struggling too. Somehow your problems always seem less important than what everyone else is dealing with.
This pattern of self-neglect can be dangerous for your mental and physical health. You might miss important warning signs in your own life because you’re too busy focusing on other people’s problems.
The truth is, your problems matter just as much as anyone else’s. You deserve care and attention too, especially from yourself.
Quick tip: Try to treat yourself with the same kindness you show others. Schedule time to deal with your own needs, even if it feels selfish at first.
6. You Get Drained Even by HAPPY People (And It Makes No Sense)
Here’s a weird thing that empaths do that confuses everyone, including empaths themselves. You can feel exhausted after spending time with positive, upbeat people. Your friend just got engaged and is over the moon with excitement, but after an hour with them, you need a nap.
This happens because you absorb intense emotions of any kind, not just negative ones. A super enthusiastic coworker, an overly excited child, or someone having the best day of their life can drain your energy just as much as someone who’s depressed.
People really don’t understand this one. They’ll say things like “But Sarah is so positive! How can she make you tired?” What they don’t get is that it’s not about positive versus negative energy. It’s about intensity.
You’re like an emotional sponge that gets saturated no matter what type of liquid it’s soaking up. Too much of any strong emotion can be overwhelming.
Quick tip: Remember that needing space after any intense interaction is normal for empaths. Don’t feel guilty about needing downtime, even after positive experiences.
7. You Choose Where to Live Based on “Vibes” (And People Think You’re Crazy)
When empaths are house hunting or choosing where to live, they don’t just look at practical things like price and location. This weird thing that empaths do involves paying attention to how a place feels energetically.
Some houses or neighborhoods just feel wrong, even if they look perfect on paper. Maybe there’s been a lot of conflict in the area, or the previous owners went through something difficult. Empaths can sense this heavy energy and know they wouldn’t be comfortable there.
Other places feel immediately peaceful and welcoming. These are the spots where empaths can truly relax and recharge. It might be a quiet suburb, a rural area, or anywhere that feels calm and positive.
People might think this is silly or impractical, but for empaths, the emotional environment of their home is just as important as the physical space. Living somewhere that feels energetically wrong can be draining and stressful.
Quick tip: Trust your feelings about places. If somewhere doesn’t feel right, there’s probably a good reason, even if you can’t explain it logically.
8. Animals and Plants Understand You Better Than Humans Do
Empaths often have an amazing connection with animals and nature. Pets are naturally drawn to empaths and seem to sense their gentle, caring energy. Dogs might follow them around, cats might choose their lap over everyone else’s, and wild animals might approach them fearlessly.
Plants seem to thrive under an empath’s care too. It’s like they can sense the positive attention and love being directed their way.
This connection happens because animals and plants don’t have the emotional complexity that makes human relationships so draining for empaths. Animals give pure, simple affection without hidden agendas or complicated emotions.
Being in nature or spending time with animals helps empaths recharge and feel peaceful. It’s like hitting a reset button after being overwhelmed by human emotions all day.
When the world feels too intense, a walk in the woods or cuddling with a pet can restore balance and calm.
Quick tip: Make time for nature and animals regularly. They can be incredibly healing for empaths who feel overwhelmed by human interactions.
9. Crowds Feel Like Emotional Assault (Even When Everyone’s Happy)
Walking into a crowded place can feel overwhelming for empaths. This weird thing that empaths do isn’t just about not liking crowds. It’s about being hit with everyone’s emotions all at once.
In a busy restaurant, empaths aren’t just dealing with noise and chaos. They’re unconsciously picking up on the frustration of parents with crying kids, the anxiety of people on first dates, the impatience of customers waiting for tables, and the stress of rushed diners.
All of these emotions hit at the same time, creating an overwhelming flood of feelings that don’t belong to the empath. While other people just see a busy restaurant, empaths are drowning in emotional information.
You might find yourself getting physically ill in crowded environments. Headaches, nausea, and dizziness are common reactions when your system gets overloaded with too much emotional input.
Quick tip: When you have to be in crowded places, try to take breaks. Step outside for fresh air or find a quiet corner to reset yourself.
10. Malls Make You Want to Run Screaming (And It’s Not Just Social Anxiety)
Shopping centers are particularly difficult for empaths. This weird thing that empaths do isn’t about social anxiety or not liking to shop. It’s about sensory and emotional overload on steroids.
Malls are packed with stressed shoppers, crying children, frustrated parents, anxious teenagers, and impatient customers. All of this emotional chaos happens in a confined space with bright lights, loud music, and overwhelming smells.
For empaths, shopping malls can trigger a fight or flight response. You might feel the urgent need to escape, even if you were excited to go shopping. Your body is literally rejecting all the emotional and sensory input it’s receiving.
While other people can browse happily for hours, empaths are often planning their escape route within 20 minutes of arriving.
Quick tip: Shop during off-peak hours when stores are less crowded, or consider online shopping for non-essential items.
Understanding Your Empathic Nature
If these behaviors sound familiar, you’re probably one of the few people who truly understands what being an empath means. These traits can feel overwhelming sometimes, but they’re also part of what makes empaths so special and valuable.
The key to thriving as an empath is learning to protect your energy while still embracing your caring nature. This means setting boundaries, taking time to recharge, and not feeling guilty about putting your needs first sometimes.
Remember, being an empath isn’t a weakness. It’s a unique ability that allows you to connect with others in meaningful ways and make the world a more compassionate place. With the right strategies and self-care, you can learn to manage the challenges while celebrating the gifts that come with your empathic nature.
