It is early morning and our side of the world is waking up. Some of us put blinders on before embarking out into the world and doing their best to ignore it. Others tentatively tip toe on the sidewalk, looking both ways before facing the sun. Others are under a spell of the hustle and bustle while they stomp around, squishing others that stand in their path. And then there are those people who observe all of the calamity and absorb every last bit into their psyches. Quietly, internally, and perhaps even anxiously. I am one of these people. According to Dr. Elaine Aron approximately 15-20% of the population consists of these HSP’s (Highly sensitive people).
It never occurred to me until I was 25 years old that it was okay to feel…soft. If I had a dime for every time I was told “You're taking this too personally” “you’re overly emotional” or my personal favorite…”WHY are you so sensitive?” I would be a rich woman. But alas, I am not and life moves forward. Sort of.
Growing up as a highly sensitive person, I was influenced by the cultural definition that sensitivity is a weakness. It's challenging to grow up in a society that values competition, aggression, and overstimulation. That didn’t fly with me. I began to notice the differences in the way my peers eased through life versus the way I did. I valued introspection and alone time. I enjoyed thinking, reading, caring for animals and helping others. I was both puzzled and fascinated at the kids my age and their ability to engage in constant stimulation like video games and endless social gatherings. It’s not that one was better than the other, it is just the way it is. People plug into this ever abundant universe in their own unique ways. Mine just included books about puppies and wishing that could live in an extra padded bubble away from the outside world. It is what it is.
Most of my experience through life has been colored by the idea that being a highly sensitive person means somehow we are defective or inherently weak. Even if you’re not an HSP, have you ever just wanted to let your emotions out and just cry and cry but you don’t because you don’t want to appear as being…yep, I’m going to say it: weak? I have lived a quarter of a century believing in a false notion that sensitivity = bad. With time, I discovered that a lot of the emotional pain I had experienced was from a lack of understanding of my sensitive nervous system. After years of struggling I decided it was time to put on my favorite pair of big girl pants, gathered what I knew to be good and true about myself into a neat pile, and tossed out the rest. Releasing all internalized beliefs that sensitivity is equivalent to weakness helped me own my awesome gifts in a new way.
Believing in societal norms that go against what you feel in your heart to be true is harmful! You may have blocked or shunned these perfectly beautiful parts of yourself…but the world around you needs you to BE OPEN! Your vibe attracts your tribe. The more you radiate these incredible gifts, the more your vibe will draw in the people you need most.
Oh sensitive soul, what you have is a gift. Yet it is both a blessing and a burden to feel so deeply. To be finely tuned to life’s every twist and turn, to live presently in each waking moment, eyes wide…absorbing every last microscopic detail like the human antennae you are. Seriously. We are like walking antennas constantly picking up signals everywhere.
This, a gift, you ask? Why yes! I’ve created a list of the advantages of being an HSP.
1. Humanitarian heart
2. Good listeners
3. Can be very empathic and intuitive
4. Prone to deep spiritual experiences
5. HSP’s make natural teachers and healers
6. Thoughtful people because we’re able to empathize
7. Learning a new language may come easy
8. Typically kind and compassionate people
9. Embrace new concepts deeply
10. Keen observational skills/very perceptive
11. Highly conscientious
12. Self-reflective
13. Less linear/more creative
14. Aware of surroundings
15. Creativity may come easily
16. Easy to sense inauthenticity in people
17. Entering a room and “feeling” whether it is a positive or negative space to be
18. In tune with body/mind/soul
19. Leans towards a healthy lifestyle due to high intolerance to toxic foods/products etc
20. Sensitive to the feelings of others
21. Able to truly help a friend or loved one in need
22. Unselfish nature
23. Great imaginations
24. Highly alert
25. Deep and rich inner life = living life to its fullest!
