Here are 14 of the most amazing things I’ve discovered about HSPs in my work as a psychologist.
If someone had asked you as a teenager or young adult what the best parts of being a extremely sensitive person (HSP) were, I would have given them a blank look. I tried to hide it, not celebrate it.
However, getting to know the property of high sensitivity gradually helped embrace my identity as a highly sensitive person. I realized I’m not alone and I’m okay with being sensitive.
As a psychologist, I specialize in helping people who have newly identified as HSP or who are working to accept this part of themselves. The approach I developed, It is uniquely sensitivehelps people focus on how being highly sensitive makes them uniquely suited to thrive. Here is the 14th amazing things as a highly sensitive person.
14 amazing things about being a highly sensitive person
1. If you don’t laugh, you will cry. Or maybe both.
Highly sensitive people are observant and observant, which supports a good sense of humor. Sometimes dry, dark or sarcastic, this sense of humor helps navigate a complicated world. But we can relate to pain just as easilyinjustice and suffering, so our ears are free. Being in touch with our emotions and expressing them freely is one of the defining characteristics of HSPs and one of our core strengths.
2. You are a human barometer with a built-in alarm system.
Aware of subtleties, we are human barometers with a built-in alarm system. We sense changes in the weather, our physical environment, and the behavior of others, especially their behavior body language. That’s why we often know before anyone else that something is changing or going wrong.
3. You are a great detective. (Move over, Sherlock Holmes!)
You are a great detective – at least metaphorically. Highly sensitive people are great at piecing together complex scenarios, seeing connections, and finding solutions where others can’t see them. We also excel at turning this introspective lens on ourselves. When we channel this process through, for example guided journalingwe empower ourselves to heal and grow.
4. Imagination and creativity are among your strengths.
In-depth processing feeds our imagination and creativity. Some HSPs pursue hobbies or artistic careers, writingor speaker. Others apply their imaginations to activities outside traditional creative realms, such as developing fun, educational games in a preschool classroom, or changing traditional protocols to manage a successful team.
5. You are a conscientious decision maker.
Sensitive people tend to to absorb and process large amounts of information from several angles. Our decision-making process takes both facts and feelings into account, so we excel at making decisions that have the most positive impact on the most people. Like a diesel engine on a cold day, we may be slow to make decisions, but we are powerful when we get going.
6. Alone time is vital to your well-being.
Your constantly active brain requires rest, silence and peace alone time to heal. Highly sensitive people often develop elaborate, unique ways to enjoy their alone time. Many of us are really comfortable doing a variety of activities alone, from reading to spending time in nature to traveling – whatever works best. Afterwards, we are recharged and ready to join the crowds again. (Okay, maybe not crowds, but people in general.)
7. You try to see the best in situations.
Research Benefit sensitivity suggests that HSPs have a remarkable ability to maximize the benefits of positive conditions and experiences. We make the best of everything it is good in our life like the desert blossoms after the rain. And when we are with others, we try to get them to see the best in a given situation.
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8. You care deeply about the world…
Highly sensitive souls are among the most dedicated, loving activists i met We care deeply about causes that reflect our values, such as peace and justice, the environment and animal welfare. This concern is often reflected in actions aimed at aligning our lives with the things that are most important to us.
9 …And extend that same care to the people in your life.
Loyalty, devotion and unconditional support – HSPs bring these qualities to our relationships. We love deeply, bond strongly, and grieve deeply when a relationship suffers or ends. We trust that our partners in particular will embrace our sensitivity and be equally devoted.
10. You are incredibly understanding with others.
My highly sensitive clients amaze me with their willingness to give people a chance, to forgive, to see context in other people’s behavior, and to give compassion and understanding to other people. If only HSPs could extend this kind of grace to themselves better! Regardless, we have a lot going on empathy when it comes to others, which is definitely a great value.
11. Dealing with difficult people at work is your specialty.
Workplaces can be challenging for usbut our powers of observation and empathy give us what we need to cope with challenging people and situations. Highly sensitive people excel at the so-called “soft skills” of listening, resolving disagreements, and helping people succeed. Bar we don’t like conflict or constructive criticism, we know how to handle it with our HSP superpowers.
12. You’re a great neighbor (but maybe you keep it to yourself more often).
As in all our relationships, we tend to be conscientious and considerate. We probably think twice about doing anything that disturbs the peace of our neighbors. At the same time, living near people can be a challenge – there are so many sights, sounds and smells to contribute overstimulation. We may prefer to make our home a refuge, our own HSP shrineeven from the best neighbors.
13. You may seem more independent than you feel.
Many highly sensitive people seem very self-sufficient, spend a lot of time alone, and rarely ask for help. Sometimes this comes from a healthy place and reflects an introverted personality (many HSPs are introverts). Other times, we long for connections and support, but aren’t quite sure how to get them.
In this case, it is possible to present a pseudo-independence. This may be due to fear of connection, feeling overwhelmed, or difficulty accepting support because we find it difficult to tolerate other people’s reactions to our needs. Although we are empathetic, not everyone else is.
14. No matter what, you always do the growth.
It is difficult for us to process so much about ourselves without embarking on self-development projects. And we often expect the people and systems in our lives to do the same. Learning to balance our desire for growth conscious, non-judgmental acceptance of the present – for example through meditation – is the key to empathizing with ourselves and others.
Embrace all the wonderful parts of extreme sensitivity
Highly sensitive people can be contradictory…yet that complexity is part of what makes us amazing. By learning to accept and embrace all the nuances of our sensitivity, we are free to use the gifts of our sensitivity to enrich our lives and the lives of the people and world around us.
If you’re wondering how to embrace all the wonderful things about your own highly sensitive identity, please request a copy of Singularly Sensitive: A Guided Journal for Highly Sensitive People: LoriCangilla.com/request.
