Many will say that being an empath can be a blessing as well as a curse. I have written about it myself, sharing my experiences as an empath and it’s true that it’s not always easy.
I came to read about the mirror effect from the minds journal which describes it a little more. Their take is that an empath is a person who picks up on other people’s emotions and energy, hidden behaviors and true personality traits. Empath’s can take them on and project the emotions back to their rightful owner. This can be very intimidating for the owner leaving them feeling bare and exposed. The facade, the wall that was so carefully created to hide that true self weakens in the presence of an empath which can feel uncomfortable. Perhaps uncomfortable for both sides.
Empath’s can wear other people’s truth and energy just like a mask that they hide behind, even if the person is unaware of what they are projecting. Anything that is hidden and painful, not to be exposed and put on the butchers block for evaluation and chopping. It brings vulnerability and fear of judgement. These hidden things include a person insecurity, shame, suppressed guilt or anger. The longer these feelings are suppressed / hidden, the longer this energy stays buried.
An empath will expose the shadow side of someone, seeing those traits that are often so carefully protected. Protected to the extent of becoming a different person, wearing a mask to hide the true self. All these are reason as to why there can be an instant dislike towards an empath. The stars literally have to align to feel comfortable in the presence of an empath. It’s one thing not being ready to face our faults and work on our shadow self, and it’s yet another to be truly seen by another, in all our glory, faults and shortcomings included.
If this has been your experience, it could be a sign that you are reflecting back to them the truth that they deny. Remembering such may help you to understand and not blame yourself for the gift you’ve been given.