Only Empathic and Sensitive People Share These 6 Common Habits – Are You One of Them?

Have you ever been encouraged to “put yourself in someone else’s shoes?” While many of us nod along, few truly grasp the profound depth of this phrase. Empathy goes far beyond a casual understanding—it’s the ability to emotionally and mentally align with another person’s experience, seeing the world through their eyes.

Empathy isn’t about holding onto someone else’s pain; instead, it’s about understanding and responding from a place of connection. It’s what allows us to build genuine relationships and bridge emotional divides, providing comfort and understanding without judgment. It creates a bond, a heart-to-heart connection that transcends surface-level conversations.

In a world that sometimes feels self-absorbed, empathy can remind us of our shared humanity. We all have emotions—our friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers we meet on the street. Cultivating empathy is like unlocking a powerful tool for deeper relationships and a more compassionate world. But how do you actually develop this ability?

1. The Power of Curiosity

One of the defining traits of highly empathic people is their deep-rooted curiosity. They are not content with surface-level interactions; instead, they possess a genuine desire to explore the inner worlds of others. This curiosity serves as the gateway to empathy. It pushes them to ask questions, listen intently, and seek to understand the lives, emotions, and perspectives of the people around them. Rather than making assumptions or drawing conclusions based on their own biases, empathic individuals focus on uncovering the rich stories behind other people’s experiences.

Curiosity is more than just asking questions—it’s about truly caring for the answers. For highly empathic individuals, this means engaging in conversations that go beyond casual pleasantries and diving into the emotional depth of what someone else is going through. It’s the ability to wonder, to probe, and to engage thoughtfully. These individuals make others feel seen and heard, and their inquiries often lead to stronger, more meaningful connections.

Consider the woman from South Africa who regularly visited the beach and interacted with local vendors. Her curiosity led her to ask them about their lives, where they came from, and the struggles they faced. What started as simple conversations became an emotional exchange that opened her eyes to their reality. She didn’t just hear their words; she felt their stories and connected with their emotions. By being genuinely curious, she tapped into a shared humanity, creating a powerful bond that went far beyond the transactional interactions most people experience.

2. Challenging Prejudices by Finding Common Ground

Highly empathic people possess the ability to break free from the limitations of stereotypes and prejudices. In a world where we are often taught to categorize and label others, these individuals actively challenge those biases by looking for commonalities rather than differences. Empathy allows them to see beyond the surface—to see past cultural, social, or political divides—and seek the humanity that connects us all. By focusing on what they share with others, rather than what separates them, they create bridges of understanding that make space for connection, even in the face of disagreement.

Challenging prejudices doesn’t happen overnight, and it often requires a conscious effort to unlearn what society has instilled in us. Highly empathic people are aware of the boxes and labels they’ve been taught, but instead of letting these predefined notions dictate their interactions, they approach people with an open heart and mind. They ask themselves: “What can I learn from this person?” and “How are we alike?” By doing so, they break down the walls of judgment and focus on common ground, which fosters deeper and more meaningful relationships.

Take, for instance, the abolitionists during the fight to end slavery. They placed their hope not in religious texts but in human empathy, believing that if people could just see and feel the suffering of enslaved individuals, change could happen. Similarly, highly empathic individuals today seek to understand the experiences of those who have been marginalized, not through a lens of pity, but through genuine curiosity and a shared sense of humanity. This ability to see past preconceived notions helps them form connections with people from all walks of life, creating a more compassionate and unified world.

3. Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes

The phrase “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” is often used to describe empathy, but for highly empathic people, this is more than a figure of speech—it’s a way of life. They don’t just imagine what it’s like to live someone else’s experience; they immerse themselves in it. They seek to understand others’ emotions, circumstances, and challenges by truly placing themselves in their situation, allowing them to gain a deeper emotional perspective.

This habit goes beyond a fleeting thought—it involves active effort. Take, for example, the experience of George Orwell, who, upon returning to Britain in the 1920s, chose to live among the poor to truly understand their plight. By physically placing himself in the shoes of the less fortunate, Orwell not only gained insight into their daily struggles but also developed profound empathy for those he once may have overlooked. Through this experience, he realized that those he once dismissed as “drunken scoundrels” were, in fact, individuals enduring unimaginable hardships. His time among them not only changed his view on inequality but also shaped his later works, which advocated for social justice.

Empathic individuals often engage in similar exercises of perspective-taking, whether mentally or physically. Whether it’s volunteering in underserved communities, traveling to experience different cultures, or simply trying to imagine what life is like for a friend going through a hard time, they go beyond sympathy and dive into the complexities of someone else’s world. This habit of putting themselves in another’s shoes allows them to develop a more nuanced understanding of human suffering, resilience, and joy.

4. Listening with Presence

For highly empathic people, listening goes beyond simply hearing words—it’s about being fully present and engaged in the moment. They understand that genuine empathy requires undivided attention, where the focus is not on how to respond but on truly understanding what the other person is feeling. This type of active listening involves setting aside distractions, preconceptions, and even the urge to give advice. Instead, they create space for the other person to express themselves fully, without fear of judgment or interruption.

Listening with presence is not just about what is said, but about picking up on subtle cues—tone, body language, and emotion. Empathic people are adept at reading these signals, understanding that sometimes the most important things are communicated not through words but through what remains unsaid. This form of deep listening allows them to connect on a more intimate level, building trust and fostering a sense of safety for the speaker.

One of the key elements of this type of listening is patience. Highly empathic people resist the urge to rush to conclusions or offer quick solutions. Instead, they give the other person the time they need to express their feelings fully. In doing so, they demonstrate that they are truly present in the moment, offering their emotional support and creating a bond of trust.

For example, imagine a friend who is going through a difficult time. While most people might jump in with advice or try to “fix” the problem, a highly empathic person would instead offer a listening ear, focusing entirely on understanding the emotional journey their friend is experiencing. By listening with an open heart and without the intention of responding right away, they make the other person feel valued and understood.

Empathic listening creates a powerful connection between people. It’s not just about hearing words—it’s about feeling what the other person feels. By being present and fully engaged, highly empathic individuals forge deeper relationships and provide comfort and understanding to those in need.

5. Empathy as a Catalyst for Social Change

Empathy doesn’t just impact personal relationships—it has the power to inspire large-scale social change. Highly empathic individuals understand that empathy extends beyond individual interactions and can be used to drive movements that reshape societies. They are keenly aware of the suffering of others and feel a deep responsibility to take action, whether on a local level or a global stage. By fostering understanding and connection, they help raise awareness about social injustices and inspire others to take compassionate action.

Historically, some of the most significant social movements were driven by empathy. Take the abolition of slavery as an example. While legal arguments and political campaigns were crucial, what ultimately stirred the hearts of the masses was empathy—the ability to feel the pain of enslaved individuals and to understand the inhumanity of their suffering. Activists and abolitionists, such as Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman, used empathy as a tool to help people see beyond their own lives and care deeply about the experiences of others. Empathy created a moral awakening that laid the foundation for widespread change.

Another powerful example is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in post-apartheid South Africa. After years of deep division and brutality, the TRC aimed to bring together victims and perpetrators, allowing them to confront the emotional wounds of the past. The entire process was rooted in empathy—encouraging people to listen to one another’s pain and grief in order to heal. This approach helped the nation move forward, showing that empathy can bridge even the deepest divides and bring about societal healing.

Highly empathic people are aware that empathy is not just about feeling for someone—it’s about turning those feelings into action. They understand that when empathy is cultivated on a global scale, it has the power to challenge systems of oppression, inequality, and injustice. Whether it’s fighting for human rights, environmental justice, or social equality, these individuals use empathy as a driving force to inspire others to take action. They know that by fostering understanding and acceptance, they can create a ripple effect that leads to real, lasting change.

6. Empathizing Beyond Personal Beliefs

Highly empathic people don’t limit their understanding to those who share their own views. Instead, they actively strive to empathize with people whose beliefs, values, and perspectives differ from their own. This ability to set aside personal biases and try to understand someone else’s point of view is one of the most challenging, yet essential, aspects of empathy. It requires humility, openness, and a willingness to step into uncomfortable spaces where our views may be questioned or contradicted.

When faced with someone who holds different beliefs, the natural instinct may be to argue or dismiss their perspective. However, highly empathic individuals resist this urge. Instead, they seek to understand the motivations, fears, and experiences that have shaped the other person’s worldview. By doing so, they detach themselves from their own emotional investment and step into the observer’s role. This allows them to see the situation from a neutral standpoint and to grasp the emotional truth behind the other person’s position.

For instance, imagine an environmental activist who is deeply passionate about fighting climate change. Instead of condemning an oil company executive for contributing to environmental damage, an empathic person might try to understand the constraints, pressures, and lack of awareness that person faces. This approach doesn’t mean agreeing with harmful actions, but it allows space for dialogue and potential understanding. By empathizing with the challenges others face, even those we may disagree with, there is an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations that can lead to more effective solutions.

Empathizing with those who hold different beliefs requires a conscious effort to remain open and nonjudgmental. It’s about recognizing that everyone’s actions and beliefs are shaped by their unique life experiences. By putting ourselves in their shoes, we can move beyond divisiveness and toward mutual understanding. This doesn’t mean abandoning our values; rather, it’s about finding common ground where solutions can be built.

In a world increasingly polarized by conflicting beliefs, the ability to empathize across ideological lines is a powerful tool for fostering cooperation and reducing conflict. Highly empathic people understand this and use their skills to build bridges where others might see walls.