Let’s face it, it’s been a long dark winter and it is finally time to emerge out into the sunshine and lightness of summer! This summer also marks over a year of the Covid-19 pandemic. And while I always like to acknowledge the season changes, I think this year I’d be remiss not to recognize all the heaviness and hardship the pandemic has brought.

If you are an empath or sensitive person, this year might have been extra challenging because you felt so much suffering, fear, and anxiety on a global scale. It felt like every week we had a new national upheaval, not to mention whatever energies were going on in your personal home or work life.

All this is to say, this particular time represents so much more than just welcoming summer. It is a time for healing and to release the negativity and weight that was so present in the last year. It’s also a time to honor whatever lessons or evolutions you might have experienced because of the pandemic, and check-in to see what wisdom you will keep with you going forward.

SPOILER ALERT! This book list for empaths isn’t filled with “beachy”, easy reads, but with introspective books that will fill your soul, guide you through healing, and give you a better understanding of yourself and your true needs as an empath going forward.

The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to High Creativity by Julia Cameron
I’ll be honest, I recommend this book to SO many of my empath clients! It’s a really powerful way to connect back to yourself and your spirit. If you’ve felt disconnected from your soul, intuition, desires, and your true needs, this book will lovingly guide you back and help you get to know yourself as you are now.

After a year of being cooped up, overwhelmed, and constantly navigating the needs and emotions of others, Julia Cameron takes you on a journey to clear the mental clutter so you can hear your genuine voice.

My favorite exercise is “Morning Pages”, where you “brain dump” all those pesky, anxious thoughts first thing in the morning so you have room for juicy, creative, and flowing energy the rest of the day. This guided healing book is perfect for empaths because it requires you set aside what the world is telling you, and shows you how to tap back into to what your heart is telling you.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

If you haven’t read Untamed already, I’ll send you a copy myself! I’ve read this book twice this year and plan to read it again. It’s just that good and there is SO much wisdom to absorb from the self-proclaimed depressed inspirational speaker!

The best way to describe this book is freeing. If you’ve always had an ache in your heart for life to be more “true and beautiful”, Glennon Doyle gives you permission to listen to that voice and f*ck all the rest.

She also talks a lot about tapping into your “inner knowing”, which I know to be the number one way empaths can learn to navigate energies around them, trust their instincts, and set loving boundaries that serve their highest good. This might be the best “returning to yourself” book you could pick up this summer!

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocked the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski

Emily and Amelia Nagoski (sisters) have the perfect term for struggling empaths: Human Giver Syndrome. In their loving and humorous book on the science of stress, the Nagoskis say out loud what empaths have always known to be true: caring too much for too long leads to burnout.

This isn’t your typical non-fiction book. The authors have lived burnout AND done the research to show us how to heal from it and avoid it in the future.

They provide practical tools and mindset shifts to help us release ourselves from Human Giver Syndrome and live with less stress. While any woman would benefit from this book, empaths will receive extra benefit by learning how to protect their energy and honor their needs.

Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

It’s no surprise to anyone that we’ve all spend an extraordinary amount of time with our romantic partners this past year. And while bonding may have been part of your experience, it’s ok to admit that this much “togetherness” has its own pitfalls and fatigue.

Empaths may struggle even more because they have such a strong ability to connect and feel what their partner is feeling, and with the pandemic, there was no way to separate or escape from the emotions of others in the house.

Ester Pearle is a licensed sex therapist who gives us a glimpse into some of her client’s issues, and it’s fascinating to see how much we can relate to them in our own lives. This book is powerful for empaths because Pearle focuses on the importance of energetic separation from our partner, encouraging a balance of connection and independence for a healthy relationship and sex life.

The book also tackles other tough subjects like sex life after kids, fantasies, and infidelity; all giving us grace that intimate relationships are intricate, challenging, and of course, one of our most rewarding endeavors.

Energetic Boundaries by Cyndi Dale

While working from home and virtual life may limit empath’s abilities to create physical boundaries, it is possible to practice and generate energetic boundaries in your household and relationship.

I often recommend this book to Reiki healing clients because it describes the necessity of boundaries, especially if you are energetically sensitive. Cyndi Dale walks you through the different types of boundaries, the deeper emotional beliefs and systems behind boundaries, and gives you spiritual tools to protect yourself and your energy.

After lots of boundary bending in this pandemic year, it’s a great book to declare a fresh start with how you manage your energy, your needs, and your loving boundaries as an empath.