HSP's, empaths, and narcissists all have one thing in common: a sensitivity to the world. They often begin as children who feel deeply, notice the unspoken and who long for connection, safety and love. What happens to that raw sensitivity, though, over time can shape three very different outcomes.
Highly Sensitive People are born with an extremely tuned nervous system. They process the world deeply, feel both joy and pain intensely and can be profoundly moved by beauty, art, nature, animals or even someone's kindness. When supported fully, they blossom into intuitive, creative, thoughtful beings. When unsupported, they may struggle with overwhelm, anxiety or isolation but their core sensitivity remains intact.
Empaths are often HSP's who learned to turn their attention outward as a survival strategy. They become exquisitely attuned to others’ emotions and needs, often to avoid conflict, maintain connection, or prevent abandonment. Their gift is deep connection and high emotional intelligence. Their challenge is self-sacrifice... they give, absorb and heal to the point of depletion.
Narcissists may also begin as sensitive, attuned children but instead of turning outward like empaths, they build a false self to protect the vulnerable core. Their gift? Charm, ambition and charisma. Their challenge? An inability (or refusal) to face vulnerability, leading to control, manipulation or emotional harm. While the empath dissolves boundaries, the narcissist fortifies walls.
When you understand the sensitive roots behind these three, you can hold compassion for yourself and others, you can become more conscious and stop trying to “fix” or save narcissists, also honour the difference between empathy and codependency and you can recognize when your sensitive gifts are being exploited.
This is especially crucial for HSP's and empaths who often get drawn into relationships with narcissists hoping their love will heal, only to lose themselves in the process.
If you are an HSP or empath, you are hereby reminded that you are not here to carry or heal everyone. Your sensitivity is so sacred and at the same time, needs boundaries. Love without losing yourself because you can walk with an open heart and still protect your light. The co-existence of these is sure.
If you recognise narcissistic patterns in yourself, you are not beyond healing... the first step is honesty. Behind the armor, there may still live a sensitive soul aching to be known and so it is your work, yours alone, to meet that part of yourself with truth, humility and a willingness to change. Control may have protected you once but love, real love, requires vulnerability.
Wherever you find yourself on this journey, may you meet it with honesty, compassion and the reminder that you are never alone.
Love,
Keilah
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