How to more fully realize your strengths and gifts as a Highly Sensitive Person
The trait of Sensory Processing Sensitivity includes challenges, but also advantages
By Douglas Eby
“For a long time I thought it was bad to be so sensitive because it made other people uncomfortable – and if I’m being totally honest, it sometimes makes me uncomfortable to feel so many big feelings all the time.” Mayim Bialik
“Sensitivity comes with so many gifts.“ HSP Therapist and author Julie Bjelland
“My mother was kind and compassionate and very considerate of others’ feelings. All those were the things that aligned with my own spirit.” Bruce Springsteen
Many creative people have this trait of high sensitivity. Psychologist Elaine Aron even says: “I know ALL HSPs are creative, by definition.”
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Alanis Morissette is in the documentary about our personality or temperament trait Sensitive – The Untold Story.
She comments on her site about discovering she is among the many of us who are highly sensitive:
“A few years ago I read Elaine Aron’s book The Highly Sensitive Person (and quickly, her others).
“I found myself crying for how recognized I felt in her pages.
“Twenty percent of humans and animals have this trait of ‘high sensitivity’ and it sets us up to thrive in certain environments, while having unique challenges in others.
The books “normalized a part of me that I have felt both ashamed and proud of my whole life.”
See other videos and much more in article: Elaine Aron and Alanis Morissette on Being a Highly Sensitive Person
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Discovering we have a trait that can cause us to feel “weird” or “misfits” – as many artists have commented.
But learning about the different qualities that come with high sensitivity can also have deep value, and be very affirming.
Actor, author, neuroscientist Mayim Bialik talks about her own discovery in a video interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
The video has the unfortunate title “Mayim Bialik Diagnosed As A Highly Sensitive Person” – implying, perhaps, that the trait is a disorder.
It is not.
There is something called sensory processing disorder – but our trait is technically referred to in research as sensory processing sensitivity.
In an article which includes the video, Bialik comments:
“I’ve always been called ‘sensitive’ or ‘highly sensitive’, “but it was someone we had on my podcast who said, ‘It’s called an HSP.’ It stands for Highly Sensitive Person.
“I didn’t know it was a thing. I’m just like, the way that I am. And I was like, ‘Now I have a diagnosis.’ “
She explains highly sensitive people (HSP) “feel things very, very deeply. Sometimes they call us ‘intuitives,’ sometimes they call children ‘indigo children’ if they’re like this.”
The article writer notes “Mayim, who is best known for her portrayal of neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS sitcom, previously explained her idea behind” her podcast.
“I’m trained as a neuroscientist and there are so many aspects of mental health that many of us don’t even understand,” she explained. “So the idea is to break down the science of it.”
From article “Mayim Bialik Learns About Her HSP Diagnosis Through New Mental Health Podcast.”
Photo at top is from Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown podcast site.
Another video with Mayim Bialik
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Unique personality, unique brain
Julie Bjelland, LMFT is a psychotherapist and author specializing in the trait of high sensitivity, and a highly sensitive person (HSP) herself.
She notes:
“I specialize in the unique brains of HSPs and it is my mission to help you thrive.
“I know for sure, without a doubt, life can be SO much better with the right tools and information and a new narrative.
“Sensitivity comes with so many gifts and I want you to discover the positives within you.“
“I believe HSPs are often some of the most gifted creators, innovators, teachers, healers, and leaders — once they learn how to mitigate the biggest challenge to their sensitivity: sensory overload.
“Sensory overload happens when your senses take in more information than your brain can process at one time. This can ignite anxiety and irritability, intensify sleep disturbances and exhaustion, and lead to loss of productivity, creativity, and focus.
“Join me to learn applicable tools for overcoming sensory overload — including a powerful technique that you can use anytime, anywhere to deactivate stress and activate calm, instilling a deep sense of safety in your body that allows your innate sensitivity to shine.”
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Julie often uses a metaphor of blooming. One of her online courses is “Blooming Brilliantly, Understanding and Loving Who You Are as a Sensitive Person.”
The course page on her site notes “HSPs who are blooming in the world…
You feel strong and resilient which helps you stay balanced and healthy.
You have the energy to be productive and accomplish your goals.
You sleep well and wake up rested and restored each day.
You are able to pause, reflect, and respond.
See more quotes, videos and podcasts in article:
How To Thrive More As A Highly Sensitive Person
Julie Bjelland, LMFT says, “My mission to help you thrive in the world so you can share your gifts as a sensitive person.”
She designed a short quiz on being a highly sensitive person, and notes:
“After working with and surveying over 5000 highly sensitive people all over the world I have discovered the top 15 statements that HSPs rated the highest from my Sensitivity Quiz.
“These 15 statements include :
You are kind, compassionate, and empathetic.
You prefer deep conversations instead of small talk.
You crave meaning and fulfillment.
You feel drained and need extra downtime after crowds, socializing or traveling.
She is a psychotherapist and author specializing in helping highly sensitive people thrive, at her site Sensitive Empowerment, which includes books, articles, podcasts, courses and more.
Read much more, and see video in article How To Better Understand Yourself As A Highly Sensitive Person.
Learn more about Julie Bjelland’s resources to help us thrive as highly sensitive people: visit her site to find HSP Podcasts, videos, articles and courses:
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One example of a sensitive man who had to learn to deal with negative attitudes from others, especially his father, is Bruce Springsteen.
In a magazine interview article, Michael Hainey notes that Springsteen described in his autobiography, Born to Run, how he saw himself as a boy, and how his father perceived him:
“Weirdo sissy-boy. Outcast. Alienated. Alienating. Shy. Soft-hearted dreamer.
“A forever-doubting mind. The playground loneliness . . .
“[I had] a gentleness, a timidity, shyness, and a dreamy insecurity.
“These were all the things I wore on the outside and the reflection of these qualities in his boy repelled [my father].
“It made him angry.”
Hainey adds, “He tells me his father made him ashamed that he was not hard like him but more like his mother.”
“My mother was kind and compassionate and very considerate of others’ feelings,” Springsteen said.
“She trod through the world with purpose, but softly, lightly. All those were the things that aligned with my own spirit.
“That was who I was. They came naturally to me…”
See more in article Are Highly Sensitive Men More Creative?