Do you like crowds? How do you react to sounds, hectic environments, and big personalities? Do they overwhelm you? Do you run from the faintest whiff of drama?
If you’re easily overwhelmed, you could be a Highly Sensitive Person. Are you intuitive? Empathetic? Are you sensitive to sounds, smells, and sensations? Do you need time to recharge? Do you take comfort in nature? Do you sometimes isolate yourself from others? Do you occasionally feel you don’t fit in? These are all traits of a Highly Sensitive Person.
Ok, so you’re a HSP. What are some of the pros and cons?
Being an HSP myself, I’ll tell you what it means from experience.
We love intensely. Our love is honest and like something most people haven’t experienced before. We see colors and shades others don’t. We are energetically sensitive and pick up on everything that’s happening around us. We are always in tune with those we love, experiencing bizarre synchronicities with them. Our love can feel alien because it’s unlike the love of people who aren’t highly sensitive. Some friends and lovers find our brand of love too intense.
People tend to tell us their problems. And I mean All. The. Time. We can’t help but care. This can be draining if we don’t set good boundaries.
I think being intuitive is fantastic, but others can be put off by it. They may not find mind-reading polite.
The bottom line is that you’ll need to work on your self-esteem if you’re an HSP. You’ll have to learn to say no; recognizing that your needs are just as important as the needs of others. You’ll have to take your time finding someone who can handle the intensity of your love. You will need to give yourself permission to recharge, to take time apart, to say no to social engagements. Remember to meditate and to walk in nature. Remember not to take in information and emotions that don’t pertain to you.
And above all, love your highly sensitive self. What a gift you’ve been given!
