Highly Sensitive People (HSP)
We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.
– Thich Nhat Hanh
It’s hard not to feel misunderstood.
As a child, you were often told you were overly sensitive or too shy – that you shouldn’t take things so personally.
Now that you’re an adult, people sometimes mistake your thoughtfulness and willingness to find middle ground as being “too soft.” That’s not true, though. Preferring harmony over conflict and using your skills to read people and anticipate their needs doesn’t make you “soft.”
It’s frustrating… to the point of resentment. And what makes it worse is that others aren’t as good (or interested in) seeing your side.
The world often feels overwhelming.
People remark on your calming presence. Little do they know how frazzled and overstimulated you can get.
You’re attuned to other people’s moods and needs, but absorbing their emotions and energy is exhausting, especially when tension or strong feelings exist, either positive or negative.
And it’s more than being attuned to other people’s emotions and energy. Being around loud noises or bright lights can be overstimulating – as can clothes with weird textures or that don’t fit comfortably.
Returning to your quiet, darkened bedroom and shutting the door to the outside world isn’t just a luxury for you; it’s a necessity.
Others seem to have it so much easier.
They can just “shake off” their day.
How much easier would your life be if you didn’t have to replay conversations from different angles or reflect so much on what was left unsaid?
Or if you weren’t always tense and stressed from that to-do list you never have enough time to get to?
Sure, you’re intimately familiar with the phrase, “You’re only human,” but making mistakes bothers you, and you tend to beat yourself up and feel shame when you’re not performing as well as you’d like.
Sometimes, you wish you weren’t so susceptible to praise and criticism. When people sincerely compliment you, you soar on cloud nine; when they criticize you, those messages go straight to your heart and rattle you to the core.
Don’t worry: There’s nothing wrong with you.
In our society, being a highly sensitive person (HSP) can have a negative connotation – probably because it’s so often misunderstood.
It doesn’t mean you’re weak or defective and you don’t need to “toughen up” mentally.
As an HSP, you possess a finely tuned nervous system that perceives and processes information and stimuli that often go unnoticed by the majority.
It’s an innate trait found in 15-20% of the population – in introverts and extroverts.
It’s a superpower… so own it!
When you can manage and embrace your sensitivity, you can transform it into a source of strength and creativity that can serve you powerfully.
As an HSP, you can feel high-vibration emotions like joy, love, and peace as deeply as negative ones.
You deeply appreciate the beauty in your environment, and you know how to connect genuinely with others, making for rich and satisfying relationships.
Let’s embrace your power to live a fuller life!
As your therapist, I can help you thrive as an HSP… rather than always feeling overwhelmed.
You’ll learn to set boundaries to protect yourself. You can shield yourself from others’ negative emotions, preventing their energy from affecting you.
You’ll learn to “stay on your side of the net” so you don’t feel responsible for the problems and emotions of those around you.
You’ll get better at dealing with conflict before it leads to over-giving and resentment, leading to more balance in your relationships.
Let’s make sure your sensitivity is working for and not against you!
I can’t wait to meet you. Call me at (507) 200-0206 or email me to schedule your free 20-minute consultation.