As an empath, I cannot enter a crowded space without creating a bubble of protection around myself. I know I will feel everything others are experiencing on a physical/mental/emotional level. If I forget to protect myself, I return home exhausted and drained, barely able to walk up the driveway
to my home. I urge you to try this exercise...it really does work!
Some examples of how you'll know if you need to protect yourself:
Are you feeling low on energy, as if even the slightest activity takes all your resources and focus? When you go shopping, or go to a crowded public place, do you get strange aches and pains or feel sapped by the time you've finished, even though you were only there for a brief time? Do you leave home bouncing off the walls, but after ten minutes at work, feel as if you've been run over by a steam roller? Have you ever visited someone and left depressed and lethargic, even though the conversation was lively and happy?
Sometimes we need to look at the people around us and the effect they are having on our energetic field. True there are some who are 'energy vampires', who recharge just by being around us, but they're not the only ones who deplete our resources.
Be aware of the people around us, the ones we 'hang out' with, our workmates and even passengers travelling on the same bus. All too often we blithely wander through our day, not realising that 'pieces' of us are being sucked dry by the negative energy of others.
It's important to 'shut ourselves off' which can be as easy as imagining a bubble of protective light around our energetic field. It doesn't require meditation and rituals or anything fancy and mystical. All you need is your focussed intent. 
Before you leave the house, imagine a bubble of energy forming around your energetic field. If you have trouble imagining or visualising one, just say the words out loud, or draw a picture if it helps. Intent really is everything! It only takes a fraction of time and the benefits are huge.
There's no particular colour you need to use, in fact your favourite colour, or the colour you feel you need around you that day can be perfect. The only colours you never ever use is black or it's variations of grey. Some people use the colour of a specific chakra that needs attention and others prefer a clear bubble. If you want to have a rainbow bubble, then go ahead - it's your bubble, you get to choose - you can even use it to accessorise your outfit if you like!
You can still do it later, if you're out and you forgot. Don't panic if you're halfway through grocery shopping when you remember or at lunchbreak. Half a day is better than no day!
If you have to, leave a reminder somewhere to jog your memory. I have a friend who has a piece of paper in the colour of her choice on her dashboard that reminds her to create a bubble before she starts out. There's no writing on it, she doesn't have to worry about people asking her why she has a 'Remember Your Bubble' sign in her car, and if anyone does ask about that coloured bit of paper next to the speedometer, I'm sure she could think of a feasible story anyway!
So, next time you go out, make a conscious action to close yourself off to protect your energy and vitality. I'll bet you notice the difference!
with love, respect and integrity
Cherie xx
PS. You can also create a bubble of protection for someone else, like your children, a sick friend or elderly family member.

There are times we forget we have an inner wisdom that will help us with choices, working out situations or people we meet. This is one of the easiest methods I know.
Start by thinking of the most wonderful happiest experience in your life where you were supremely happy. As you think about it, I want you to take a moment to be present with your body. Be still and notice the reaction your body has to that thought. Whereabouts in your body can you feel this
feeling? Now notice how it feels.
Okay, now think of something totally opposite, when you were devastated, sad or without hope. Where do you feel this in your body? Notice how it feels.
Sometimes it can be in the same place, but the feeling is vastly different.
So, when you aren't sure whether you are listening to your intuition or not, I want you to take some quiet time out to consider the idea and see where it is in your body, how it feels and which emotion it provokes.
It might take a little practise but soon you will be able to know straight away whether you want to apply for that job, pursue that
relationship or go ahead and make that big purchase.

Sometimes we get caught up in everyone else's perceptions of who we are and we forget who we truly are. From an early age we take on board everyone else's belief systems and take them as our own.
A great way to find out what you really want to do with your life is to do the 30 Day Plan.
Find yourself a piece of paper, or a book to write in.
Write the date at the top and then write the date it will be in 30 days time, so you will know when you have completed the exercise.
Take time to write everything you've always wanted to do, no matter how small and insignificant. Don't worry if you can't think of very many, this is a work in progress.
For the next 30 days, I want you to look at your list every day. It doesn't have to be the same time of the day, just as long as you look at it every day! (get the hint?!)
Each day, you can cross off what you don't want on the list andadd more onto it. (If you think of something during the day and you want to add it to the list, then do so. This is your list, there are no rules...except for looking at it every day!)
At the end of 30 days the list will only include things that make your soul sing, that you really want to do. All the 'stuff' you've crossed off will be beliefs and perceptions of what you thought you wanted to do - but in reality they were other people's beliefs.
Isn't that so cool?
I did this several years ago for the first time. I was feeling lost and didn't know what I wanted out of life or what I wanted to put into it. My list began with three items, grew to over 50, and then came back to seven core beliefs that were mine. I've achieved most of them (Angelic Messages with Attitude and coming out of the 'psychic closet' were on that list) and know with every cell of my being that these were what I wanted to do, more than anything else in the world.
Whenever I feel stuck or unsure of my direction, I do a shorter version of the 30 day plan, I find it easier to get to my core desires these days, but for a first timer, I would definitely recommend 30 days. It's surprising how sometimes it takes those last few days to dig deep.
It sure makes it easier to visualise what you want when you actually know what that is!
with love, integrity & respect
Cherie xx