Have you been labeled as anxious, shy, or too sensitive, and you feel totally misunderstood? Maybe you’re not those things, maybe you’re an HSP(highly sensitive person)!

I can’t even begin to tell you how relieved I felt when I learned about HSPs.  HSP stands for Highly Sensitive People/Person, and roughly 15-20% of the population fall into this category, yet so many of us aren’t aware that this is why we act or feel certain ways.  If you tend to be highly stimulated by smells, sounds, or large crowds, require a fair amount of quiet or alone time, are negatively affected by violence on TV or news, and often feel overwhelmed by emotions…keep reading!

My Story

Growing up, I was bullied by kids at school and family for being “too sensitive”.  I would cry (a lot), get overstimulated, feel DEEPLY, pick up on everyone’s feelings and emotions, notice things that no one else would, people please…so much people pleasing, and well, I was a “weirdo”!  I was often told to toughen up.  Now I embrace all of this fully, but it was so incredibly painful at the time.  I was so confused about who I was, and why I was this way, and I ended up very isolated.  Being highly sensitive has impacted my relationships, career, and physical and mental health.  I’m not telling you this to be negative or so you’ll feel sorry for me; these qualities have turned into beautiful blessings.  I hope that if you identify with anything in this post, you realize that there is NOTHING wrong with you, and being highly sensitive can truly be a gift once you know how to work with it!  

More About HSPs

Being a highly sensitive person means you were born with a nervous system that processes all information deeply.  Intensely.  This is due to a genetic trait known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity.  This does not mean you have a disorder or that anything is wrong with you.  You’re just wired a bit differently.  This can be really amazing and really challenging.  All of your senses may be heightened and the amount of processing you do can be exhausting and cause overstimulation.  Here are a few more things you may feel or do if you’re an HSP:

• Check out when in a busy or loud environment

• Struggle with change

• Often feel emotionally exhausted (especially after absorbing other people’s emotions)

• Love routines and have many of them

• Time pressure stresses you out

• Love deeply

• Identify as an empath (feel and/or take on other people’s emotions)

• Smells make you angry (this one is 100% me)

• You have a natural creative side and deep imagination

• Large social gatherings or spaces aren’t totally your thing, even if you identify as extroverted

• Sounds – volume may bother you or when someone talks over music or a show

• You require lots of sleep

• People-pleasing (difficulty saying no, putting other people’s needs above your own)

• Deeply moved by beauty

• Sensitive to changes in temperature

• Startle easily

• You tend to get very overwhelmed emotionally or mentally

• Deep thinker and seeker

• Lower pain tolerance

• Don’t do well with conflict

• Highly perceptive

• Indecisive

Let's Talk About Burnout

Burnout is one of the main things I work with my clients on and something so prevalent.  I’ve studied burnout in-depth, and I’ve dealt with my fair share of it, which is partly why I’m so passionate about helping others break free from it.  I know now that being an HSP has played a significant role in this.  Doing my deep inner work on my beliefs around perfectionism and productivity, and learning to manage and release stress has absolutely helped, but also knowing myself so well and accepting my sensitivities has helped me change the way I approach events, projects, and manage my time and energy.   This freedom and relief are available to you too!

The Positives!

It may sound like a lot of negatives, but believe me, there are many amazing things about being an HSP.

• When you love so deeply, you tend to have very meaningful relationships. 

• Your love for beauty may allow you to create art or music, or maybe you spend all your free time outdoors enjoying nature (what’s more beautiful than that?!).

• Sensing other people’s feelings allows you to be such a great friend or support to people in need (if this is your jam).  It can also have the opposite affect – letting you know when it’s time to step away before you get emotionally drained.  Being so empathetic, I’d be willing to be you’re kind and generous as well!

• You’re intuitive!!  Possibly my favorite.  When you’re highly intuitive AND you’ve learned how to listen to this internal navigation system, you have so much more clarity about people, choices, and yourself.

Now What?

Well now that you have this (potentially totally new) awareness, you can begin to do the work of first, giving yourself some compassion and love.  Then you can start digging into your patterns, recognizing where some boundaries are needed, and make some decisions to help things feel less overwhelming.  It’s completely doable and it’s so important that you adopt a regular self-care routine or toolbox.  Here are a few of my and my clients’ favorites:

• Epsom baths

• Meditation

• Yoga or embodiment practices

• Journaling

• Grounding/earthing

• Crystals and oils

• Earplugs

• Boundaries boundaries boundaries!

If you resonate with any or all of this and you’d like some support in learning how to better understand how this has impacted your life, how it impacts your goals and future, how to work with this superpower to benefit your life, and how to create more ease, reach out! 

Accepting and embracing your sensitivities as a beautiful part of your identity rather than trying to change or hide who you are is freeing and a huge step in becoming more authentic.

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Email me at info@therebelmystic.com to see how I can support you and follow me at @Rebel.Mystic.Coaching.