Being an HSP can be frustrating, tiring, and just plain hard. Are the good parts worth it all?
Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) can feel frustrating, exhausting, and even debilitating at times. I wonder must to absorb my colleague’s sad mood, not to mention everyone else’s emotions? Why does everything have to feel that way strong? Can I express my anger without crying, please, or don’t I feel overwhelmed in a loud environment – just once?
But there are that’s all amazing things as a highly sensitive person; it’s like highly sensitive people are full of superpowers. Sometimes you just need to step back and look deeper (which luckily we HSPs are good at!) to access your strengths. Here are some of my favorite things to do as a highly sensitive soul.
Like what you’re reading? Get our newsletter for HSPs. An email every Friday. Click here to sign up!
The 12 best things to do as a highly sensitive person
1. We can look at a situation and notice everything that non-HSPs miss.
Although it can be exhausting process everything more deeply than non-HSPsthis elevates highly sensitive people by giving them more information when making decisions. From noticing how your friend’s voice changes when they’re upset, to picking someone up body language to remember information from a previous meeting at work, our brain allows us to access much more information than we might realize or appreciate.
2. We are better able to learn from the past and apply it in the present.
At first glance, it is deep processing is done by us HSPs it may seem harmful because it takes time and energy away from us. But according to Dr. Elaine Aron, its author The highly sensitive personthe time and energy we spend on initial processing of information is actually an investment in understanding. And as such, it allows us to make more accurate predictions about the future—and as a result, react more quickly when we encounter the situation again. This can apply either to jumping on a new opportunity or to quickly avoiding danger.
3. We understand people – deeply.
If there’s one thing this world could use more of, it’s that empathy. We need more of it workplacesour friendships, our social media interactions, our family and personal relationships—you name it, the world needs more of it. And because highly sensitive people have a lot of empathy, that makes us great friends—we’ll “just know” how you feel, sound great, and help as best we can. In fact, many HSPs have high levels of empathy because of their ability to read others and seek to understand the people around them – a trait that can lead to very deep relationships.
However, all this empathy also means that we sometimes get caught up in other people’s anxieties and dramas, which makes it imperative that we carefully set boundaries and take care of ourselves in the meantime.
4. We are highly intuitive and have a sense of perception.
Highly sensitive people tend to have very good intuition. Somehow, we are often able to “just know” the right choice from the wrong choice, or “just know” how someone is doing it before they say a word. Maybe it’s because we process things so deeply, maybe it’s because we notice subtleties that others miss – but it’s probably a combination of many different things. Whatever the reason(s), we are often able to intuitively know the right answer in a wide variety of situations, saving time and energy when making decisions and helping others (and ourselves).
5. We are able to experience and appreciate deep beauty.
Studies showed that HSPs respond more to photos with “positive valence” and that there is a strong relationship between high sensitivity property and feelings of reverence. I like to use this research to encourage myself to be mindful of my time and try to focus on the moment and enjoy what I’m in – and the beauty around me. There is so much simple happiness in truly experiencing the joy of savoring a hot cup of coffee or enjoying a beautiful sunset wholeheartedly.
6. We feel emotions strongly, from small to large.
Science has found that HSPs feel emotions strongly — they can be distracted by watching TV commercials or listening to beautiful music. While some may see this as a ‘negative’, I appreciate the authors point of view Emotions help or hurt decision-making? According to researcher Roy Baumeister, emotions are at the heart of wisdom. This view is based on the assumption that most emotions are felt after an event that helps us remember the event and learn from it.
For example, an HSP may feel frustrated after not speaking up in a meeting – so they will be less afraid to speak up in the future. Baumeister also points out that without emotional motivation to learn something, people won’t learn as well (or at all). It’s also important to remember that there are positive and negative emotions—and HSPs feel both more strongly than other people.
Need to soothe your sensitive nervous system?
HSPs often live with high levels of anxiety, sensory overload, and stress—and negative emotions can overwhelm us. But what if you finally felt at ease?
This is what you will find in it this effective online course Julie Bjelland, one of the best HSP therapists in the world. You will learn to turn off the racing thoughts, end the emotional outpouring, eliminate the sensory overload, and finally make room for your sensitive gifts to shine.
Stop feeling held back and start believing that you can handle anything. Check out this “HSP Toolbox” and start making changes today. Click here for more information.
7. We’re extremely creative, whether it’s thinking outside of a work project or pursuing a creative hobby like writing or art.
There is no doubt about it: HSPs are extremely creative. From the way they notice subtleties and differences that others miss, to the way they process information more deeply than others, they help shape highly sensitive people into the imaginative beings they are. Whether they express this creativity overtly (such as through music or art) or more passively (in the unique way they complete a work project), they must be creative in almost everything they do.
8. We make incredible leaders.
Highly sensitive people make incredible leaders. At first glance, many might expect HSPs to be overlooked for promotions and leadership opportunities, yet there are many reasons why they are actually the perfect people for these roles. John Hughes wrote a book, Spooky for CEOsabout best practices for them and lists many reasons why HSPs are incredible leaders. Some of these reasons include: being able to notice things that others miss; prefer to process situations rather than act immediately; and intuitively able to demonstrate “resonant leadership,” which enables HSP leaders to lead their teams with understanding and empathy.
9. We long for connection and deep conversations with others.
Ask any highly sensitive person and they will tell you they want connection and deep conversation. None for that chatan HSP would rather get to know the real you: What are your passions? What keeps you up at night? Do you have any regrets? In a world full of filters and airbrushes, cuts and edits, fake smiles and hidden emotions, we desperately need some reality. Even if Non-HSPs do not require the same depth what we’re looking for, our honesty and willingness to tell the truth can be inspiring and a breath of fresh air for everyone – HSP or not.
10. We can find joy and happiness even in the simplest things.
Sensitive people can find happiness in the simplest things. Forget grand gestures and expensive gifts: HSPs are generally content with simpler lives full of quiet moments and meaningful memories. This could mean a walk in nature, a quiet evening at home, a thoughtful gift… these things fill an HSP’s heart with joy. In this busy, non-stop world, it’s easy to feel down as an HSP, but luckily, it’s easy to find happiness and fulfillment as well.
11. We have a rich inner life and don’t need external stimuli to be entertained.
Sensitive souls usually have a rich inner life and do not need to rely on external stimulation for their entertainment. Is the plane late? Is the job meeting taking too long? Is a friend late for a date? It’s frustrating to be sure, but at least HSPs can immerse themselves in their inner lives, thoughts, and imaginations. I could watch people for hours and make up stories about everyone based on their clothing and actions, or I could just use the time to organize the thoughts swirling around in my head (as we HSPs tend to overthink thingstoo!).
12. We have a strong connection with animals.
HSPs have a special bond with animals — they can usually establish a unique and precise relationship with them. Maybe it’s because we’re so good at picking up on the nuances of body language, or maybe it’s because we’re incredibly good at picking up on other people’s feelings, but highly sensitive people tend to connect with animals in ways that others don’t. If an animal is not feeling well, we will pick it up in one fell swoop. Similarly, we might say that the approaching dog is uncomfortable with strangers, that the horse we are riding is in pain, or that the rabbit we are catching is afraid of being caught. This is not only useful from a practical point of view – when it is not safe to approach animals if it is not safe – but it also helps to improve their quality of life if someone really understands and accepts what they feel.
You might also like:
This article contains affiliate links. We only recommend products that we truly believe in.
