Either way, Don’t be a Sucker

Have you ever spent time around someone and felt like they were sucking the life out of you? There are people who drain your energy and can have a very negative impact on you emotionally and even physically. Interestingly, we might also say that the people being drawn from are also suckers. Too often we know what the other person is doing and yet allow them to drain us and take advantage. The english language is so interesting, that the same word could be used to describe the abuser and the abused, the attacker and the victim.

If you know someone who is an energy vampire the most important thing to remember is that they are not likely aware of the effect they are having on you. Your best course of action is to try to keep as much distance from these kinds of people as you can and limit the physical contact. If you can’t avoid interacting with them (unfortunately, they are often family) there are a couple of tools you can use to lessen the drain on you:

* Visualization Techniques: see in your mind the hooks these people put into you and visualize actually cutting these ties and releasing yourself

* Mantra: repeat an affirmation to yourself along the lines of “I am strong. I am healthy. I am protected.” the fake it till you make it technique can be incredibly powerful

* Grounding: sage yourself after being in close proximity with an energy vampire, the vibration of the cleansing will release energetic ties

* De-personalize: often the person is a drain because we become so wounded by their actions or behavior, you must understand that IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU and refuse to take it personally

* Boundaries: don’t be afraid to shift the dynamics of the relationship to diminish the amount of time you spend around them and refuse to feel guilty about being firm in your needs

* Forgiveness: they are not likely aware of what they are doing and holding onto animosity towards them is simply holding onto the disharmony that has been created. Releasing yourself (and them) from the bounds of co-dependency can be achieved through forgiving them (for being a sucker) and yourself (for being a sucker)

* Remember: the only thing that you can control is your feelings & responses so stop trying to make the other person change YOU MUST CHANGE