I can still recall the feeling of validation I experienced when I stumbled upon the term “Highly Sensitive.” It was 2019, and I was on a self-healing journey to learn and understand more about myself. I knew I’d always been “different” than others, but I attributed that to just being a quiet and shy kid.
It all started when I began researching my Myers-Briggs personality type. Through my research, I determined that in being an INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Prospecting), I was a part of only approximately 4%-5% of the population with this personality type. Intrigued, I wanted to know more because it was specific to me, and I could feel myself making progress in my journey to understand myself better. I wanted to learn all I could about the INFP personality type, which is how I eventually came across the term “Highly Sensitive Person.” This moment is where everything came together for me: my life, childhood, and past relationships. The hindsight was incredibly liberating. “Did I just figure myself out?!” – also – “Why didn’t I know about this sooner?!”
“HSPs are a subset of the population who are high in a personality trait known as sensory-processing sensitivity, or SPS.” – Elaine Aron.
What is a Highly Sensitive Person?
It’s important to understand that being highly sensitive is not a condition, disorder, or mental illness but a trait. Just as it’s a trait to have brown eyes, blonde hair, or be right-handed. Highly sensitive people, however, can be easily prone to things like anxiety disorders. We will dive into all of that, including my experiences with my anxiety disorder, in later blog posts – just an important thing to note right now as I continue to share about myself.
Keep in mind that not all HSPs are created the same. We all have different traits that make up our high sensitivity. Here are just a few examples of the characteristics that make up my high sensitivity:
- Strong emotional responses
- Absorb others’ emotions
- Empathic
- Notice subtleties that others don’t
- Feeling overstimulated
- Need time alone
- Vivid memory/imagination
- Appreciation for beauty/music/art/nature
- Dislikes violence – avoids certain TV shows, movies, news, etc.
- Labeled as a “shy and quiet” child – I’m super excited to share more later about being a highly sensitive kid/teenager; that journey has been fascinating!
I’ve only begun to scratch the surface; sharing my life and experiences is terrifying to be completely honest. Highly Sensitive People are finding their voices, and I’m working on finding mine. It’s important to remember that the world is more intense if you are highly sensitive than those who do not carry the trait. There is nothing wrong with us; this is who we are. My goal is to learn as much as I can and be the most empowered HSP I can be, and hopefully, my story begins to resonate with others.
If any of what I’ve shared today is relatable to you and are curious if you may be highly sensitive, I challenge you to take Elaine Aron’s “Are You Highly Sensitive?” evaluation HERE.