It’s easy to assume that everyone has empathy, but that’s not the case.
One of the most beautiful traits of a caring human being is the possession of empathy. The ability to be able to put yourself into the shoes of another and really understand their emotions and pain is wonderful and extremely useful.
Empathy gives you the ability to listen properly, give advice and probably make a huge difference to someone who might be suffering. So a lack of it can be a big problem.
People with zero empathy are difficult to be around
Empathy is one of the most essential traits you can have and without it, you lack the capacity to basically connect with anyone else.
Instead of listening or supporting you when you need someone, they suck the energy right out of you. They refuse to listen and the worse part is that they might even make it all about them. They do absolutely everything except put themselves in your shoes.
Empathy is an extremely powerful force. It allows us to understand how people around us feel and think. Most importantly, it allows you to show that you care.
Some people just get you. You can tell them anything and they understand what you feel and how you think. Those are pretty special friendships, so hold on to them because they’re not easy to find. They’re the total opposite of someone without empathy.
Signs of lack of empathy-
1. You feel something is off
Your gut instinct proves to be beneficial whenever something’s wrong .
2- They get into many arguments
They piss a lot of people off unintentionally. Empathy allows you to process different emotions and perspectives. But without it, you feel entitled to just one perspective – your own.
3. They don’t understand emotions
The only emotion that really
matters is their own.
They may cheat on their partner, but they don’t understand why their partner would be angry or hurt due to their partner being the reason they went and cheated.
4. They think people are too sensitive
Whenever you even attempt to open up to them, they might perceive you as dramatic, sensitive, or weak.
5. They’re self-absorbed
They are incapable of truly caring about anyone other than themselves.
Simply put, your issues and problems mean nothing to them.
6. They’re insecure
This is somewhat ironic – you would never think someone who lacks empathy would be insecure, but it’s true.
7.They’re judgmental
They’re the first to criticize and judge. They will point fingers and judge, given that it’s easier for them, than trying to understand someone they perceive as “different”
8.They refuse to accept your point of view
They see other perspectives as inferior to their own. They will defend their opinion, even if they’re wrong.
9.It’s never their fault
They aren’t accountable for their mistakes. There’s always someone or something who did something to them.
10.They’re selfish
If they’re self-absorbed, then you already know they are selfish.
11.They can’t handle emotional situations
When you place them in an emotional situation, they’ll do everything to deflect or avoid that situation completely.
12.It’s their way or the highway
They have to always have things their own way.
Being in a friendship or relationship with a person who lacks empathy is hard enough, but when you never get your needs met because theirs always come first? Downright impossible to deal with.
13.They often say the completely wrong thing
They have trouble being able to handle difficult situations because they really can’t handle the subject of emotions. They will do or say something that is not appropriate for the moment.
For instance, right smack in the middle of a heated argument they will send you a selfie (current moment) of them smiling not looking upset at all while you are still getting texts from them pissed off
You might think that a person without empathy is a terrible human and you should steer clear of them. That might be the case, but it’s probably not the reality. There might actually be some deep-seated reasons why a person lacks this very basic human skill.
Much of this goes back to childhood. Yes, it always starts there.
In order to display empathy, we need to have seen it in action. Children learn by seeing and copying, and that is the very same thing with empathy.
If a parent never showed love or empathy to their child, it’s very likely that the child is going to grow up to be cold and lacking in empathy too.
If you’re in a relationship with someone who lacks empathy, you’re probably going to have a pretty miserable time. It’s really that simple.
Unless the person you’re with can see they have a problem with empathy and are willing to seek counseling, you’re never going to get that loving connection that you crave, and that you deserve.
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