Pearl Nash
Caring—simply put—is showing kindness, respect, and concern for others.
And by this definition…everyone is actually caring to some degree.
So what matters, really, is how genuinely and deeply one cares.
If you’re wondering if you’re a deeply caring person, check out how many of these traits you can relate to.
1) You care using their love language, not yours
Sometimes, “care” can be harmful when not done right.
We often hear “This is for your own good. You’ll thank me later, you’ll see!”
And most of the time, this is not the best way to do it.
This usually happens when the person who does the “caring” does it on their own terms…in their own love language.
An example is a mother who’d call her kid 20 times a day because she “cares” too much. Or a guy who’d give his girlfriend a gym membership when all she wants is to feel accepted for her body.
You’re very aware of this so you make sure you put the other person first and care using their love language. You ask yourself “What do they really want?”
“How can I really help them in the way that I actually add to their happiness and wellbeing?”
2) You can read a person well
This relates to the one above, because if you can read a person well, then you’re more aware of what they actually want to feel loved and cared for.
You are an expert at reading body language. But more than that, you actually have a deep interest in people.
With every interaction, you try to pay close attention to what they do, you closely to what they say and how they say it, and you try to understand who they truly are.
You can easily sense when someone is uncomfortable, tired, sad, or feeling left out. So even if they don’t tell you a single word, you already know how you can make them feel a little better.
3) You don’t see caring for others as a burden
You have a rich and busy life—you have deadlines to beat and a household to manage— but if someone truly needs you, you’re there!
You see it as an opportunity to ease someone’s burden and for you, it’s more important than buying your groceries on time or finishing your painting.
But even if it bothers you a little, you don’t make the other person feel guilty for it. You know that being there for each other is part of relationships…so you show up when you have to.
And if you can’t be there in person, you call or send a message—anything to show that you actually care about what they’re going through.
4) Other people’s problems keep you up at night
This is quite unhealthy for you but well, you can’t help it. This is a sign that you’re a truly caring person at heart.
You can’t stand any kind of suffering—especially by those who you love the most. So you toss and turn in your bed thinking of solutions on how to help them.
While being caring is truly admirable—seriously, the world would be a much better place if everyone is as caring as you—don’t confuse it with worry.
Sleep when you have to so you will have the energy to think constructively the next day.
Learn to not let other people’s problems get to you to the point that it’s affecting your sleep (and life). Remember, in order for you to help others, you have to take care of yourself first.
5) You’re a highly sensitive person
Not only can you read a person well using body language, you can also sense how they’re feeling.
And because of this, you’re more careful with your words and the kind of information you share with them because you know how it could affect them.
When you’re sensitive, you care about how others feel. And it might seem like it’s “no big deal” but it is! it’s equally important as the grander gestures of care like loaning your friend money for an emergency or making someone soup when they’re sick.
You’re highly sensitive, and this makes you skilled at taking care of other people’s emotional wellbeing…which is VERY important. If this is you, it is no wonder people are drawn to you. You’re a big ball of warmth that people would want to be near with.
6) You don’t wait for someone to ask for your help
Since you can read a person well and you’re sensitive to other people’s feelings, they don’t have to spell H-E-L-P to you before you even start doing something for them.
You often hear them say “Oh thank god, you always know what I need.”
And you’re not just doing this to impress them or to feel good about being a deeply caring person (although there’s nothing wrong with that anyway), you do it because it’s…well, automatic for you.
You do it because you know how hard it is to ask for help sometimes…and you’d rather save them that trouble by giving them what they need before they even utter a single word.
7) You reach out even if someone stops contacting
If you’re a deeply caring person, then it follows that you’re deeply understanding too.
So when someone important in your life hasn’t been reaching out to you for a while—say your best friend or your sister— surely, you get a bit bummed, but you don’t take offense from it.
You know that there are many reasons when someone does this, including depression. So you reach out. You don’t hold your chin up high and say “If they still want me, they’ll contact me!” or “Who do they think they are?!”
You care for them and for your friendship so you don’t let your pride get in the way. You don’t get tired of being “the bigger person” because you truly care.
8) You don’t check out when things go bad
People who only care about themselves would do everything to protect themselves. If they see one red flag, they go “bye felish” because to them, they deserve better.
And we know what happens to these people…they just go from one relationship to the next, never finding that perfect friendship or girlfriend or boss.
Sure, you don’t like being in a toxic relationship too…but you don’t give up easily—not on the first or second or seventh offense. You know that any relationship requires patience, and so you deal with the not-so-good stuff.
You don’t just get up and leave—you stay and make things better!
Of course, you also know when to leave…and that’s when you’ve done everything you can and things remain the same.
9) You know that life is unfair
You’re very aware of the inequalities of life. You’re aware of your privileges—from where you’re born, where you went to school, the kind of parents you have, etc.
And because of this, you’re very grateful for the good things in your life, but you also know you have the duty to help others as much as you can.
So as long as you’re able to, you try to balance the unfairness of the world in your own little ways. You give to charity, you give food to the homeless, and you try to be more patient and understanding to everyone you meet.
10) Making people happy makes YOU happy
Even since you’re a kid, you’ve always been a giver.
You’re happy making people happy so you do things that could put a smile on their face whether it’s giving your parents a flower you picked on your way home, or offering your guests some cookies.
Up to this day, taking care of others is something you find pleasurable, and never a burden. You give your pets extra treats, you cook and wash the dishes when you visit your parents, and you even give cute cards to your colleagues.
Sometimes, you think it’s too much—that you’re too much—but what can you do? Taking care of people (and animals, and plants…) has become your life calling.
Last words
If you can relate to almost all of the traits in this list, then you’re definitely a deeply caring person.
You’re such a blessing to others and the world needs more people like you.
But do make sure that you’re not neglecting yourself…because you deserve the kind of love and care that you’ve been giving to everyone else.
