What it means to be a highly sensitive person, as explained by the American writer and novelist Pearl S. Buck:
The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: a human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. To him...a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, and failure is death. Add to this cruelly-delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create—so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating.
Growing up, I was frequently called emotional or sensitive. I was told to "toughen up" and to not wear my heart on my sleeve. I started to feel bad about feeling so many feelings. I noticed the small details and subtleties that others seemed to miss. Chaotic and noisy environments overwhelmed me easily, and I seemed to absorb and take on the emotions of others. Whether it was joy, anger, discomfort, or pain, I felt it with intensity. I grew up thinking I was pretty much a weirdo, and I wanted to know what was wrong with me. The answer was: absolutely nothing. Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) are often perceived as being weak and fragile. In actuality, it is a beautiful and unique trait. In fact, being an HSP is a gift.
Does any of this sound familiar to you? If so, here are 10 awesome signs that you could be an HSP (like me!):
- You're highly creative. As an HSP, your senses are highly developed, and you perceive the world more intensely and vividly through broader lens. You absorb every sound, color, and scent from your surroundings, and you are more aware of subtleties in emotions. You are deeply moved by art and the beauty of nature. Your sensitivity allows for a creativity that knows no bounds.
- You're highly empathetic. Being an empath means that you are sensitive to other people’s feelings, and you know things without being told. You know how to make other people feel comfortable around you, whether it means changing your posture or the tone of your voice. Like a sponge, you can also absorb the emotions and energy of people and places. You can see through the “I’m okay,” and often get reactions such as ,“How did you know?" Your empathetic nature means you make for a very caring and loyal friend.
- You’re a people/animal magnet. Your compassionate and caring nature makes you magnetic. Empaths tend to be skilled listeners; as a result people will tell your their problems and seek your advice (even strangers!). Besides being a people magnet, you have the uncanny ability to communicate with animals. Animals respond well to an HSP's gentle and nurturing nature.
- You’re more intuitive. Because of your sensitivity to the emotions of others/the environment, you posses a sixth sense. Your ability to piece fragments of information together allows you to predict when something will happen. You can sense when something is wrong with a loved one, and you know the best way to show your compassion.
- You're very polite. Saying "please" and "thank you" are very important to you, and you notice when others don't. You make sure to display perfect manners making others feel completely at ease with you.
- You can tell when someone is lying. You are a human lie detector. You can tell when someone is lying by their facial expressions or the tone of their voice. You notice the slightest of changes in the atmosphere and body language. This gives you the ability to know if a person is saying one thing, but feeling another.
- You are hardworking. You are conscientious and dedicated to the work you do. People can count on you to get the job done, which makes you an excellent addition to any workplace.
- You have a vibrant inner life. For an HSP, the world can seem overwhelming. Over-stimulation can exhaust an HSP, both mentally and physically. As a result, you need to escape to a place where you feel more grounded and safe; your imagination. Your rich imagination allows you to create an internal world with vivid and almost palpable imagery; where you escape to to relax and recharge when the outer world is giving you a hard time.
- Your brain processes information more thoroughly. Our brains are formed a little differently, so we tend to process information slowly and more thoroughly. This gives an HSP the ability to answer questions before they are even asked. An HSP can also create astoundingly colorful and unique imagery.
- You’re highly observant. HSPs' senses are always on high alert while scanning their surroundings, making you extremely perceptive. You notice details such as mood, scents, colors, design, and even the slight crookedness of a painting on the wall.
It's not easy being a HSP. Sometimes you may feel like no one understands you but you are not alone. About 20 percent of the population is highly sensitive. Embrace your sensitivity because it's a beautiful thing to be an HSP!
