Welcome @jamie35! I am Siofra_Strega, another moderator here in the forum!
I can relate to your experiences on a few different levels! I am a highly sensitive Empath with several gifts. Currently, I am in the process of re-learning my intuition & how to use my abilities without completely taking on others’ situations, feelings, & such. There is a great protective pouch spell, also by @SilverBear that is: Protection from Draining Energies. I have used it more than a few times (it’s one of my favorites 
) & I have made one up for my daughter to keep in her backpack in the past. She is a blossoming little empath, but I don’t think she knows that yet… we haven’t gotten that far in our conversations 
I have always, as long as I can remember, had a VERY strong connection to water 
At one point in my life I had lived in a “landlocked” state, honestly I couldn’t handle it & didn’t handle it very well. I made the trek back to my home, which now is Cape Cod, but at the time, I was close enough to a beach that I could go there whenever I wanted or needed to… I have always loved the rain, listening to it, and watching storms… we used to sit on my parent’s farmer’s porch during thunderstorms. Even listening to the rain can be very soothing to me or the sounds of a stream, river, brook…
I am also very connected to crystals & working with their energies. I have taken the courses to become an Advanced Crystal Practitioner, along with a few others within the coven. There is a lot to learn & so many ways to use crystals to enhance your life, energy, & practice.
I look forward to speaking with you more along your path. As @marsha mentioned, please feel free to ask any questions, share any information with us, or jump in on any open topic! Everyone here is very friendly & supportive. We will get you pointed in the right direction or offer what each of us can to your question or situation 