I am a highly sensitive person.

I have been this way for as long as I can possibly remember, dating back to at least my early elementary school days. I like to think of being highly sensitive as both a blessing and a curse, and it affects my life in various ways. For me, it is important that other people understand how I am affected.

A big way my high sensitivity affects me is that it makes me produce a more heightened reaction to stimuli because all of my senses are operating on overdrive and experience things more intensely.

This means that I feel uncomfortable when I am in a loud environment, in a large public crowd, in a room when multiple people are talking at once, and when exposed to bright lights or certain strong scents.

This also means that I feel pain easily. Sometimes this also means that I am easily startled.

The biggest way my increased sensitivity affects me is that I feel all emotions deeply and intensely. This looks like a lot of different things.

This makes me a crier. If I'm happy, I cry. If I'm sad, I cry. If I'm excited, I cry. I cry at news stories. I cry at all of the Netflix shows I watch. If I experience any extreme emotion, there's a strong chance that I will just start crying.

I'm a extremely empathetic. I feel others' discomfort. I feel their joy. I feel their pain. I feel for everybody, especially if they're someone I care about deeply.

I have difficulty letting go of things. I beat myself up easily. I am terrified of rejection. I take things personally. I'm awkward and self-conscious. I overreact.

Although high sensitivity is difficult, it's not all bad.

I have a huge heart. I am a great listener. I am enthusiastic and creative. I'm intuitive and imaginative. I can create really magical things when given the chance. I am authentic.

Sometimes it takes a little bit more strength for me to be a functioning member of society, but the most important thing for you to remember is that I'm trying.