EmoSponge...

Here’s how it usually goes: I walk into a room, and within seconds, I’m picking up on the vibes as if I have some kind of emotional radar. If someone’s happy, I feel it. If someone’s stressed, I feel that too. And if someone’s in a bad mood, it’s like I’ve picked up a personal storm cloud to carry around with me. This isn’t just empathy—it’s like I’ve signed up for everyone else’s emotional newsletter, and unsubscribing isn’t an option.

On the positive side, being so in tune with the people around me means I can often sense when someone needs a pick-me-up or when it’s time to give them space. I’m the person who knows when to bring someone their favorite snack or offer a listening ear, sometimes before they even realize they need it.

But absorbing everyone else’s emotions can feel overwhelming. It’s like being a human emotional sponge, constantly wringing myself out just enough to keep going, only to get soaked all over again the next time I’m around people. While others are mingling and having a good time, I’m busy processing the emotional subtext of every conversation.

If someone’s excited about a promotion, I’m right there with them, feeling the rush. If someone else is quietly upset about a disagreement, I’m picking up on that too, even if they haven’t said a word. By the end of the night, I’m emotionally drained—not because of anything that happened to me, but because I’ve been soaking up everyone else’s experiences like a sponge left out in the rain.

And it’s not just the big, obvious emotions. I pick up on the subtle stuff too—the fleeting looks, the small sighs, the barely noticeable shifts in tone. My brain seems wired to tune into every little emotional signal, amplifying it until it’s the loudest thing in the room. Once I’ve absorbed it, it’s hard to let go. I carry it with me, sometimes for hours, sometimes for days, like emotional baggage that isn’t even mine.

The hardest part is figuring out where my emotions end and someone else’s begin. Am I stressed because I’m actually stressed, or because I’ve been around stressed people all day? Am I sad, or am I just picking up on someone else’s sadness?

So, what’s the solution? I’m learning that it’s okay to take a step back and remind myself that not every feeling I’m experiencing is mine to carry. It’s okay to set boundaries and protect my own emotional well-being. Because as much as I want to be there for others, I can’t do that if I’m constantly overwhelmed by their emotions.

Being an emotional sponge is both a gift and a challenge. It allows for deep connections and understanding, but it also means I have to be careful not to let myself get too saturated. It’s important to care, but it’s also important to remember that not every emotion is mine to absorb.