I don’t like labelling myself as an empath or as a sensitive person simply because I don’t like labels. Putting a label can seem to some like a permission slip, the permission to play the victim.

The trouble that most of us face as sensitive beings is that we cannot do things the way most of society does, and if we try, feelings of stress, overwhelm and burn out creep in very fast.

We need to realize that peace, harmony, and space are really important to our wellbeing. We need to be able to balance the time spent with others (for connection) and time spent by ourselves (for recharging). And our lives need to be set up in a way that allows us to support the need for this balance.

As a sensitive being, here are my tips on how to manage your energy and protect your wellbeing —

1. Space

When feelings of stress and overwhelm start to take over, it is so easy for us to get caught up in our own minds, lose track of what is real and live in a mental prison, addicted to what is happening. Thoughts that loop over and over.

When this happens, take physical space away from the thing. Whether it means taking a detox from technology (or social media), taking space from the person or situation. Spend some time alone, or with someone who brings you peace. Do something that you enjoy or just rest.

Because our energies can be depleted really quickly, we tend to suffer from fatigue alot, especially if we are not good on placing boundaries or protecting our own energy.

2. Nature

As sensitive beings, spending time in nature is really important. I cannot stress how beneficial this is for your mental and overall wellbeing. Sit in nature, walk in nature, swim in its waters, play in its trees. Nature has restorative energy and also allows new ideas and creativity to be born within you.

3. Peace

Make peace your priority. After years of working a full-time job in the finance industry, burnt out and feeling so demotivated, I craved peace. I craved slowness, stillness, quietness and time alone. I wasn’t getting enough time to recharge. That is when I decided to leave to pursue a career that allowed me more balance.

4. Create Your Own Rules

As sensitive beings, it is really important that you find a way to create a life that gives you the structure that allows you to fully thrive. You won’t last long at jobs that are demanding, not flexible or have a toxic work culture. Relationships that don’t understand you or your needs, that put pressure and expectations on you will deplete you energetically. Look around and make a note of all the areas in your life and notice what people or activities you enjoy being around or doing (and add more time to them), and which people or activities deplete you (and either approach them from a different angle or change/eliminate them).

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sending you all my love, Hadil.

My mind kept on coming up with thoughts that had me feeling like I wasn’t good enough and thoughts about how I lacked so many of the technical skills needed to ‘make it’ in the entrepreneurial world. I thought about how I was maybe too old and maybe I waited too long, but most of all, the constant thoughts that I was failing.

Then one day, as I was going through the usual motions, thoughts of failing and not being good enough … a thought came to me… ‘whose words were these?’.

All the doubt and negative self-talk, was this really me? And in that moment, I experienced what Eckhart Tolle talks about … a separation of oneself from the dysfunction of the mind. I allowed the usual thoughts to go through my mind but this time, rather than adding emotions and agreeing to the thoughts, I decided to just observe them, like someone staring into a house through the window.

And as I observed the thoughts, I remember telling myself… ‘I do not have to agree with these thoughts, I can choose something different’. Like a switch, something changed in me. All of a sudden, I didn’t feel like a victim to my mind anymore.

So, I am here to tell you, those thoughts in your mind that say you are not good enough, not of value, will never amount to anything… no matter how true they feel in the moment, they are not true.

You have the strength to separate yourself from the thoughts and choose something different. Your mind will always have chatter, it will always have thoughts and words running through it, but it does not mean that you have to accept them as your own. Practice putting boundaries on what you will allow your mind to think about.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Sending you all my love, Hadil.