I walked into the post office recently early one Saturday morning to mail a package. The empty station’s radio was playing commercials; a loud, bright and annoying jingle. The female postal clerk finished helping her customer and left to take the package to the back.
Commercial #2 comes on, just as loud, even more annoying. I realize I am able to avoid commercials these days, either by switching a station or muting. When the 3rd commercial comes on, I’ve had it. I walk up to the boombox, ready to . . . OK, not go postal, but at least turn the volume down. But I can’t find the volume button. Back in line, the postal clerk returns; it’s my turn. I mention the noisy commercials, and the clerk s nods and laughs. No big deal to her. I conduct my business with my finger in my left ear, the one nearest the radio. . .
THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON – HSP
“Sensory processing sensitivity” first appeared in 1997 as a new human trait. Later termed Highly Sensitive Person or HSP, it applied to 15-20% of humans born with a more sensitive nervous system. Shyness, introversion, inhibition, and low social interest had been studied before, but author Elaine Aron maintained that the HSP was different. They were not always timid, some were extroverts, some were male. Cultural views had impact too. In cultures like Japan where this is valued, “sensitive” and “shy” children were more popular, but in Canada, those traits were not the popular ones.
Further proof came from the animal kingdom, where this same 15-20% of HSP creatures were found.
WHAT IS A HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON?
So what’s an HSP? This type of human has a more sensitive nervous system. They’re more aware of subtle factors in their surroundings. If that’s you, you will notice and even change the lighting and music volume when entering a room. Or, you might wish to adjust radio volume at the post office. HSPs might be similar to today’s term “empath”, coined by Judith Orloff and others. HSPs are more permeable, and can be more easily jangled but things non HSPs hardly notice.
Here is a list of some common HSP traits, and in parentheses, (how these translate to real life.)
- HSPs process things more deeply (longer time for decision making)
- Easily overstimulated by lights, noise, smells, crowds (tire more easily, need quiet time)
- More empathy and reactive emotions (feel more impact from positive and negative events)
- Sense more subtleties (advanced ability to read people, to sense and intuit moods and disquiet)
If you are an HSP, you’ll need to learn how to work with this trait and learn the pros and cons – there are great gifts with this package. HSP information, good self care and recovery practices help. Otherwise, you can struggle a lot with HSP overwhelm and shut down. Author and HSP expert Julie Bjelland likens this overwhelm to a supercomputer that freezes up.
HSP challenges include:
- Anxiety, overwhelm, over the top emotions
- Fatigue
- Ruminating, stuckness
- Difficulties with crowds
- High expectations of self and others and the associated perfectionism that can be unconscious
I’ll cover more about how you can best navigate the world if you’re an HSP. There are more books today and the original researcher has a website with online tests and resources to tell if this is you or someone you love.
In my view, you don’t need to go around the world super-cushioned or follow all HSP advice. For example, HSPs are cautioned to avoid public speaking, performing etc. I’m an HSP and need to do both to do my soul work. Yes, I do need to have more recovery time after events, as well as tools to keep perspective and expectations. Sometimes I’ll need support during or after events. But like me, your soul mission can override HSP warnings. And, often that sensitivity has gifts that makes you even more suited to the soul work you’re shining on the world.
I’m guessing you may have similarly adapted to keep the soul work going alongside sensitivity. Share your tips and experience on what helps you thrive as a sensitive in today’s harsh demands.
Blessings,
Denise
RESOURCES: Tests, Books
Take an online test to see if you or your child are HSPs, on original author E. Aron’s website.
https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/
Books
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, Elaine N. Aron
Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive World: How to Create a Happy Life, Ilse Sand
Brain Training for the Highly Sensitive Person: Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Overwhelming
Emotions, Julie Bjelland
Finely Tuned: How to Thrive as a Highly Sensitive Person or Empath, Barrie Davenport
The Empath Self-Care Blueprint: How to Manage, Navigate, and Thrive in an Overwhelming World, Nick Trenton
RESOURCES: Get a consult
Rapid Resolution Therapy is a trauma clearing technique that I combine with my Intuitive training to help you understand your sensitivity so that you minimize overwhelm, clear blocks to your progress, and let go of past regrets. Reply to this email to learn more about intuitive trauma clearing sessions.