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applegrove

(129,799 posts) Sat Nov 1, 2025, 01:43 PM Nov 1

If you ever feel heavy....

Don't let anyone convince you that your empathy is a weakness.
— ðŸŒ¬CasuallyLucidðŸŒ€ðŸŒŠ (@casuallylucid.bsky.social) 2025-11-01T17:37:32.760Z

5 replies

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Highlight:

If you ever feel heavy.... (Original Post) applegrove Nov 1 OP

Wonderful Advice! chouchou Nov 1 #1

Empathy is a skill and a strength nuxvomica Nov 1 #2

You nailed it, nuxvomica. I totally agree. wordstroken Nov 1 #5

VERY Good to keep in mind! calimary Nov 1 #3

Perfect!! I'm saving this. wordstroken Nov 1 #4

chouchou

(2,702 posts)

1. Wonderful Advice!

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Sat Nov 1, 2025, 01:57 PM

Nov 1

nuxvomica

(13,844 posts)

2. Empathy is a skill and a strength

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Sat Nov 1, 2025, 03:41 PM

Nov 1

Most people don't develop empathy until the age of 7 (if they develop it at all). It is the skill that allows one to "get" sarcasm. In one study, people's level of empathy increased after reading literary fiction but not so much with genre fiction, probably because lit-fic focuses on the inner thoughts of characters rather than action or imagery, training the mind to think about what others might be feeling. So even all the way into adulthood, there's a chance that complete assholes can develop it. That is the most hopeful thing I ever heard.