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Dealing With Apathy

What’s worse than lack of empathy? Apathy. The Oxford dictionary defines apathy as “lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern”. As an empathetic person I find this aspect of human expression or lack of it extremely hard to contend with. The absence of reciprocation being a fairly important reason. As humans we are instinctively seeking two way communication and when this doesn’t happen we do find it unnerving.

 

It’s so amusing that people take readily but those same people are reluctant to give. As an observer of human behaviour this is fascinating but to be dealing with apathetic behaviour personally is a different matter altogether.


So if you are an empath like me how do you deal with apathy? Here are a few things that help me:


Reach out a few times by giving the other person the benefit of doubt. If there’s still no response, leave it. It’s not worth worrying about.


Surround yourself with people who you love and those who love you. This will help focus your attention on those who really matter.

 

Exercise! Walk, run, bike, swim. Exercise helps release happy chemicals in the brain like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. These help regulate mood and lend a different, often more positive perspective.


Develop a hobby which will help channelise your emotional responses in a more constructive manner: be it painting, writing, craft etc. The creative output will bring you more joy and fulfilment than you imagined.


Focus on yourself as much as possible. As empaths we give far too much time to others’ feelings by over thinking and overanalysing. Try to shift this attention on yourself. It helps tremendously to take attention away from your energy drainers I.e. apathetic people. 


Recent life events have given me new perspective on life and relationships. So I am immensely grateful. Every cloud does indeed have a silver lining.

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