in5d spiritual
awakening
by Kathi Calahan
You dread meeting them for lunch, but go anyway. Hours later you're
exhausted, have a headache and find yourself making weak excuses to run
for your life. You've just been zapped by an emotional vampire.
No,
they don't actually drain the blood from your neck (although you may
have a stiff neck by the time you flee), but they do drain the joy from
your life and remove any desire you have to spend any more time with
them. No wonder you're dazed and confused. No wonder you don't feel
good around them!
Emotional vampires do their
best energetically to suck the life force right out of you (and
everyone else)! Whether it's subconsciously or on purpose, these are
the kinds of people who hunt for victims to energize them simply
because they can't (or won't) tap into their own spiritual energy
source for revitalization.
So what do they look like?
Portrait of an emotional (or energetic) vampire
Beyond their chronic bad moods and boring retelling of the same (often
dramatic) stories, emotional vampires are the sort who always seemed to
be depressed (or angry) - to the point where you suspect they may like
it. These conversation dominators (who have no issue talking over you -
or anyone else who tries to get a word in edgewise), seem to happily
play the role of the victim. In other words, nothing is ever their
fault and life just seems to happen to them as if they had no part in
the things they're forever complaining about.
Emotional vampires have negative things to say about everyone and
everything and make a habit of telling you all about their problems and
pet peeves - without showing any interest in yours. Should you be lucky
enough to interject more than a nod into the conversation, they'll
always find a way to change the subject back to themselves... even if
it means switching gears when you're in the middle of a thought.
Finally, they never know when to go home. Emotional vampires have no
clue when they've overstayed their welcome - or worn you thin.
How you know you've been zapped!
Almost anyone can take a certain amount of anything - energetic
bloodsucking included - which may be why we often question if there
really is a problem with these people, or if we're just too sensitive.
Here are the telltale signs you've been zapped!
If you were anxious or upset at the beginning of your conversation,
you'll probably feel worse after time spent with one of these dour
drainers. Emotional vampires don't offer empathy or try to soothe the
people around them, instead they find ways to provoke your angst even
further. During your conversation, you may even get the psychic feeling
of phantom tentacles reaching out from their body to yours!
Likewise, you may experience increased insomnia or wonder where your
anxiety build up is coming from without being able to pin-point the
cause. And if you were feeling just fine before you sat down with them,
you may find yourself irked by their constant need to focus on your
insecurities and bring them to the forefront when they were on the back
burner.
How to protect yourself
For starters, don't feel too bad - emotional vampires walk into any
room and suck the life energy from anyone unlucky enough to enter their
personal space. In fact, if you don't walk into their space, it's
likely that they'll scan the room for a victim and walk into yours.
Some emotional vampires know what they are doing; others do it on an
unconscious level. Those who are unaware tend to have very difficult
relationships, home lives and work interactions until they recognize
what they are doing. Those who know they're doing it... well, better
steer clear than try to understand.
Either way, in order to protect yourself from their bloodletting, you
have two options. First, you can tell them the truth: that you cannot
get a word in edgewise and that the relationship feels one-sided to
you. Let them know what you want from them. They'll either wake up or
move on.
Second, if that doesn't work (or you've tried it before... over and
over again), avoid them and do not spend any more time with them. If
you must interact for work reasons or at family gatherings, set good
time boundaries and don't stay with them any longer than you have to.
And don't let them corner you - keep circulating... It's not your job
to bring the cold and lifeless back from the dead!
Related Articles:
Deepak
Chopra: Dealing with Negativity
Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Ascension
Reverse
Aging Now with the Power of Your Mind
Why Do We Fear
Death?
Letting Go of Pain
Getting
Through the Dark Night of the Soul
How
To Stay Positive With A Negative Vibration Spouse Or Partner
