A significant number of people classified as empaths are introverts. They often behave in a very predictable manner. They love and crave their solitude, maintain a small circle of friends which they often keep for a lifetime, and can feel easily overwhelmed when exposed to stimulants like crowded places, noisy parties, or even merely small-talking to people at a gathering.
But not all empaths are introverts. There are a minority of empaths who are the complete opposite in terms of how they recharge their energies. Compared to introverts who need alone time to be able to recharge, extroverts are more in their element when being surrounded by other people.
Extroverted empaths feel more comfortable being surrounded by others, have more endurance at a social gathering, and simply need and want less alone time than introverts. That doesn’t make them less of an empath, but these empaths are classified as extroverted.
The fact remains that a majority of empaths are classified as introverted. Empaths are mostly highly sensitive people with the unique gift of intuition. Their intuition enables them to have a deeper understanding of another person’s emotions, coupled with a high level of compassion and empathy that may enable empaths to feel what another person is feeling.
This characteristic trait of empaths makes many of them psychic. Empaths who develop their special capabilities can go on to demonstrate some healing abilities, becoming healers and mediums.
Extroverted Empaths vs. Introverted Empaths
So now we know that empaths can either be introverted or extroverted. The main difference lies in how they replenish their energies and how they relate to other people.
Extroverted empaths seek the company of others, albeit in smaller groups, but they are essentially different from introverted empaths, who choose to be in solitude much of the time. Extroverted empaths feel alive being surrounded by people, although they can be choosy with their company as well. Introverted empaths on the other hand, feel suffocated when they are around people for an extended period. They mainly recharge by having regular alone time.
Extroverted empaths may seek activities with others, but they can still be especially choosy of the events they choose to participate in. They are not typically spontaneous and love to plan their schedules and activities ahead of time.
If they choose to be in a social situation, they can manage to stay much longer than a classic introverted empath, who may feel suffocated after being surrounded by several people for hours on end. Extroverted empaths don’t as easily get overwhelmed in the company of others and take a longer time to feel tired in a social setting compared to their introverted counterparts.
Most of the time, empaths have a creative side. Creativity is something a lot of empaths learn to cultivate with their high-level sensitivity. But in terms of expressing creativity, introverted empaths and extroverted empaths can also differ quite a lot.
Most introverted empaths choose to hide their unique skills and shy away from the limelight or any attention. Although it may take a while for them to eventually decide to open up about their creativity, they can be empowered to feel more confident in their work. But generally, introverted empaths prefer to keep their artistic skills under wraps until they’ve found a purpose for sharing them with the rest of the world, once they feel more confident in their abilities.
Extroverted empaths, however, often actively seek the support of like-minded people and communities. Participating in clubs, art exhibits, and being part of communities that support the extroverted empath’s skills are common to them. They seek other people for support and love to be seen and acknowledged for their craft.
Extroverted empaths are more socially adept than introverted empaths. They’re generally quicker in identifying situations where they’re being taken advantage of by others. They are less afraid to make intelligent and wise decisions to protect themselves, whereas introverted empaths prefer to keep the peace and harmony with other people, making them especially more vulnerable to being manipulated.
Introverted empaths understand and usually know when something is off in a situation, but they may find it difficult to assert themselves with others.
They are the ones that often end up being abused due to the way they choose to respond to situations that may not be beneficial to them. In this case, this is where an introverted empath could seek the counsel and support of people who genuinely understand their heart and will empower the empath.
Being an empath opens up a person to so many ways of perceiving the world. If you’re an empath, you could either be an introverted one or an extroverted empath. So, if you are an empath, which one are you?
