“Empaths are not your punching bags. Trauma isn’t a justification to mistreat others. There is no excuse to abuse someone else. While I love to help others, as an empath, I am not responsible for fixing your life or catering to your toxicity. I am not responsible for managing your triggers, walking on eggshells or telling you what you want to hear in order to keep the peace. I am not your emotional punching bag nor am I your emotional sponge. I do not exist for your pleasure or as a site for your projected pain. My responsibility is to myself – to be my own person and stay true to myself – to heal my own wounds, manage my own triggers, and engage in self-care so that I can give to others authentically without depleting myself in the process. My responsibility is to maintain healthy boundaries – especially with those who are unhealthy.”