Are you too sensitive?
Are you too sensitive?
If you want to find out whether your partner or your friend is a Narcissist, Sociopath, Psychopath, or whether they have any of the many personality disorders, you can easily search on the world wide web and find an exhaustive array of posts and videos on these subjects. It seems that we now live in a culture where we label each other and making a diagnosis can be damaging, especially when we don’t have any professional qualifications.
So why do we search and diagnose and why is there so much information out there about it? If you are feeling the negative effects from a relationship, then it's human-nature to investigate further to find out more and learn how to protect yourself and best manage unhealthy situations and scenarios that you are facing. With all the varied and polarising information out there, it can be overwhelming.
I believe that there needs to be more information circulated about how to understand and empower oneself against those who negatively impact on our wellbeing.
My personal view is that of self love and empowerment rather than blame-shaming. To give myself a label, I have always been a highly sensitive person and that means that I get easily hurt and feel things more than the average person. One of the positives of being an HSP means that I follow a career that I love, through serving others and helping them to heal, empower themselves and learning to feel better about life through achieving their goals..
This post is designed to help those who may have labelled themselves as Empaths or unhealed Empaths. When you are able to identify whether you are in fact a Highly Sensitive Person you can understand yourself more and learn ways to protect and strengthen yourself.
From a young age, I have been told by many people, “you’re so sensitive”, “you’re too sensitive”, “you’re overthinking this”. It has been phrases like this that always had me doubting and second-guessing myself when I have been mistreated in some way.
Can you help how you feel?
How do you feel less sensitive?
Why do you feel so sensitive?
It took me many years, until I was a mature adult to realise that there was nothing wrong with me, that I was a highly sensitive person and although there is a negative connotation with being this way, there were also many pluses too.
You are an HSP if you are:
Emotionally Deep: With strong empathy and connection to other people’s feelings and experiencing intense emotional reactions both to joy and sadness.
Highly Aware: With a sharp sensitivity to subtleties in the environment, such as changes in mood, tone or your surroundings and/or noticing things that others may overlook.
Overstimulated: Becoming easily overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises or busy environments. A need to prioritise downtime to recharge after social or sensory-heavy experiences.
Compassionate and Caring: A natural tendency to nurture and support others and people often see you as a “safe space.”
Strong Intuition: A deep inner knowing and ability to sense situations beyond logic. Trusting your gut instincts in decision-making.
Creativity and Imagination: Filled with ideas, creativity and daydreams. Possibly drawn to the arts, writing, music or other forms of self-expression.
A Deep Thinker: Tendency to over analyse or reflect on situations and conversations and have a passion for talking about philosophical or spiritual matters.
Sensory Sensitivity: Intense reactions to textures, sounds, smells or other sensory inputs. Preferring calm and harmonious environments.
How to protect yourself from others and the environment:
Practice Self-Care - Take plenty of downtime and engage in uplifting activities, eg. exercise or meditation
Set Boundaries - Say no and protect your energy when things feel uncomfortable
Celebrate your strengths - Focus on creative pursuits and the empathy you bring to the world
Find Supportive Environments - Surround yourself with understanding people and quiet spaces
Shift Perspective - Embrace sensitivity as a gift that adds depth and beauty to life
By acknowledging both the advantages and challenges of being a highly sensitive person, HSP’s can use their traits as strengths and create space for themselves during times and situations that can potentially impact on them negatively.
It is vital to take responsibility for yourself and your actions and not allow yourself to diminish or feel drained in any way.
If you would like support in learning to empower yourself and get the most out of your life, please reach out to me.
