High-Sensitivity: A Neglected Gift From Heaven
A highly sensitive person is someone who is greatly affected by social stimuli, such as other people’s voices and facial expressions. There are common characteristics of being an HSP like being easily overwhelmed, being upset by violence on TV, and identifying as deeply emotional. Remember, being highly sensitive is not a disorder or diagnosis; rather, it is a personality trait. While you don’t need to resonate with every characteristic listed below to be considered an HSP, the majority of HSPs experience most of these things.
Albert Einstein, Nicole Kidman, Greta Garbo, Spencer Tracy, Judy Garland, and Martin Luther King Jr are some famous personalities known as highly sensitive people. It is worth noting that HSP accounts for 15–20% of the population who are highly creative and brilliant. The people mentioned above are great artists, actors, scientists, social reformers, etc. Sensitive people have depth in thinking and, therefore, take their work seriously; their nervous systems are fine-tuned, therefore they outstand whatever task they have at hand.
Being a highly sensitive person (HSP) can make you feel separate or different. However, being highly sensitive is not a disorder, it’s a personality trait. This isn’t something to treat or change; it’s something to better understand and thrive with. Being an HSP is exactly what it sounds like: being ultra-sensitive to sensory input, people, and the environment, but there’s more to know.
HSPs have a sensitive nervous system, so they absorb and process more information than average, and they ponder on it more deeply. This trait is often mistaken for being introverted and highly emotional, standoffish, insecure, apprehensive, neurotic, depressed, etc. A study by Dr. Aron shows that the high sensitivity of a person is misunderstood as his/her weakness, but the fact is that HSPs are highly capable, diligent, and aware people, who are just more accustomed to their environment and others’ feelings than most people. They have an entirely different approach to their physical environment.
Not a weakness, but a strength…..
Einstein has been widely quoted as having said: “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.” We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. In my opinion, even Steve Jobs was HSP. The co-founder of Apple had said that he believed intuitive heart leads to success.
These sensitive people jump to help people easily because they understand the needs of people easily. Being considerate and well-mannered, HSPs tend to get affected when someone is not. They are detail-oriented and notice things others may miss. In addition, they are gifted, they can read people well, and know when they are lying or deceiving. The tone, pause, and body languages are all clues that they easily catch. They get stressed with over-thinking, which leads to low immunity, which may result in frequent coughs and colds. They don’t like anything exaggerated; they don’t like to be in large groups, too many lights, strong smells, or loud noise. They are not party persons. A lot depends on how they feel. With incredible intuition, they work according to their gut feeling.
Sensitive people tend to get bored in marriage more than non-sensitive people, mostly due to the lack of meaningful interaction. The key to a successful relationship for an HSP is communicating what they want out of a relationship and finding a partner who understands their emotions. “Sensitive people can’t help but express what they’re feeling,” says Dr. Aron.
For better or worse, sensitive souls quickly learn the level to which they are affected by our environment. Whether it be noisy crowds, confrontation, the tension in the office, or perceived judgment from others, even everyday occurrences can overwhelm us. Often, they are idealists who seek harmony and peace above all else and don’t see why everyone can’t just get along and be good to each other. After some trial and error, they learn what drains them the most and what lights them up from the inside out. They learn the importance of self-care and how to take care of, and be gentle, with themselves.
Pure Pleasure……
One of my favorite aspects of high sensitivity is finding wonder in the smallest of things. They can find immense pleasure simply in nothing the contrast of a green tree against a backdrop of blue sky and powdery white clouds. Hearing a song they haven’t heard in a while can spur a visceral nostalgia within them, transporting them vividly back in time instantaneously. While in some ways they’ve always felt like an old soul, they love that their inner child is never too far away to pop out and leave them wide-eyed and awestruck by the world.
It’s true that sensitivity sometimes leads to rather strong feelings of melancholy. But one of the great things about being highly sensitive is the ability to find sadness oddly nourishing. The spectrum of human emotion is fascinating. Both experiences exist for a reason, both have meaning, and both are beautiful.
If you are an HSP, be proud because you’re alive in every sense of this word in this wildly beautiful world. Sensitivity is your strength. Keep soaking in the light and spreading it to others.
