i like, like you.

sometimes you meet someone completely out of the blue and unexpectedly.
sometimes you claim your single status and wild and free spirit telling yourself and everyone else you'll never be tamed.
sometimes you take a chance, all the while listening to that still healing heart from the last time. 
sometimes you find beauty in what seems like the darkest of places.
sometimes you allow yourself to feel and be loved, for what feels like the first time. 
sometimes you let this new human into the complex head of yours and into your heart without thinking twice. 
sometimes you find this secretly terrifying but not wanting it any other way. 
sometimes this person is one of the most incredible people you've ever met and you wonder why you were so scared in the first place. 
sometimes you find yourself smiling more and singing in the shower.
sometimes those close to you mention how you are glowing. 
sometimes you let go of the what if's and fall in love. 
sometimes.

i love you. 

How to deal with toxic individuals

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"
-Eleanor Roosevelt 

Lovely women she was. But really though, this quote has been a crucial one for me over the years and more recently as well.
Maybe it is because I've been more confident regarding my activism, passion and beliefs these past few months that has been a call to all them Haterz and trust me, I wish I could claim that "Haterz are my motivatorz" but let's be real, I'm an uber sensitive and introverted empath. AND PROUD.

From a young age I struggled to fit in, never feeling like I was a cool kid and being called "too sensitive" on the reg.
This was before being called an Old Soul was considered a positive character trait, one that I now am beyond grateful for. I follow many blogs ranging from topics of veganism, activism of many types, politics, spirituality, yoga etc.
Recently one of my favorite independent creative writing spaces dedicated to mindful living called Elephant Journal, I repost pretty much all of their entries, had a piece titled, "Self care for the Highly Sensitive person"and I was instantly intrigued while identifying many personal character traits in the descriptions.

"Many highly sensitive people can relate to one or all of the following:

 feeling overwhelmed by social situations and crowds- epitome of anti-social

Needing massive amounts of alone time-  Can you say introvert?

Intuiting other people's moods and in many cases, absorbing them- comes with being an Old Soul

Intense empathy and deep emotions- Oh the endless feels...

Being in a city can feel oppressive and overwhelming- just take me to the beach

Depression and Anxiety can be common companions- check and check

You soak up your environment and the energy around you like a sponge" - Empath 101

So being thrilled and also terrified that this total stranger just described me to a T, I began to think about some of the issues I've been running into with certain individuals. These few instances where these people (catty girls) have felt the need to victimize and essentially bully me, had started with me being my authentic, outspoken and passionate self. I want to say bless their hearts. For whatever reason my passion and strong opinions are offensive enough to be passive aggressive and retaliate on a personal level.

 I feel deeply and intensely. This is both a blessing and a curse. I would not trade my empathy for anything. I find my compassion and love towards all living things an important and rare quality.

So what are we who identify as passionate, sensitive empaths to do when cruel people seem to be infecting many aspects of our lives? What are we to do when some of these individuals are your "sisters"?

We never back down. We own our sensitivity and passion for justice. We do not allow such little people make use feel inferior for speaking out about what we know to be true and just.

 We think, poor souls to lack such depth and maturity. We do not allow their cruel, harsh words to affect us in anyway. As mean and hurtful as they are, we constantly remind ourselves that they are false and said out of ignorance.

We keep fighting the good fight, speaking for the voiceless, loving the broken and taking care of our sensitive selves in the process.

We cannot love the world unless we first love ourselves.
For all of us who feel more deeply, keep your authenticity alive. Our souls are from elsewhere.

Namaste,
The 20-something old soul