We are living interesting times. We have been navigating a new age for quite a while now. It has been uncomfortable as we tear down an old system to build a new one. 

People and society evolve in a spiral. Individually, we have the opportunity to address and re-address lessons or areas of growth where we have struggled in the past. For instance, setting healthy boundaries in our close relationships. 

In society, it is very similar. Now, for example, we are learning all the many ways we have wielded power in harmful ways and being given another opportunity to review our power structures and continue forward as we have been going or choose a path with more equity and care for humanity.

Disruptors interrupt a pattern or system by causing a disturbance or problem. Empaths as sensitives are a disruptor right now. We are not able to live quietly under the current circumstances. We are getting sick on the food and chemicals all around us, we are overwhelmed by the noise and busy-ness, and we are emotionally burnout by the caustic environments we live and work in.

Five years ago, there was very little written about empaths and only a small percentage of people knew to identify themselves as such. Now there are many people writing about it, speaking about it, and many, many people discovering it and identifying themselves as empaths.

We feel bad and we are trying to figure out what is wrong with us. We seek out therapists and doctors with symptoms like depression, anxiety, aches, allergies, digestive problems, etc. We meet others who express similar experiences and symptoms.

We are resentful that we feel bad. We are the ‘problem’ in our family or friend group. We need a special menu, certain lighting, smaller crowds, etc. just to exist. Meanwhile, everyone else is acting like we are being extra–overly dramatic or attention seeking.

Now, we are making changes to our lifestyles, some voluntary and some mandatory, to be able to manage our symptoms and feel better. We are being forced to speak up for ourselves when it comes to food, environment, relationships, etc. This is the disruptor stage. And it is uncomfortable for many empaths.

Being the disruptor largely goes against our programming as empaths. And it is vitally important for our health and happiness. We need to work up the courage and work through the discomfort. Accepting that some of our people won’t be willing to make the changes we require in order for us to stay in their lives. This is never easy and it is also crucial for our long-term health, both physical and mental.

As empaths, we are the current canaries in the mine. There have been others before us–workers fighting for safer working conditions, LBGTQ fighting for basic human rights, women fighting for votes, Blacks fighting to exist as equals to name but a few.  Humanity is in an expansion phase. Understanding that we are capable of embracing more for ourselves; more kindness towards each other, healthier (both mentally and physically) working conditions; more validity and power in the offices of health practitioners. The struggle is real and we are on the front-lines now, disrupting the status quo, saying we deserve to be comfortable and healthy too.

Fight the good fight. The more we come together as a community, the stronger we become, the more confidence we gain in our right to have our basic needs of good health and emotional well-being met. When we do the individual spiral of growth and healing, we are then able to show up to help society evolve and find a new status quo with power and human rights around healthcare–mental, emotional, and physical.