Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?

[Colorawdo girl]

I discovered some years ago how I had been born with a special gift. I had not seen it as a gift however until reading about it.
Not one to accept labels(as I feel they then become self fulfilling) I learned about myself and what makes me tick the way I do.

I have found this a challenge as well as the true gift it is. This is me,open,transparent and REALLY RAW!!!

Anyone else ? Read below and see if it resonates with you.And offer support or comments or wonderful LOVE!



Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938, once said about highly sensitive people:

A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.

To her...

a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.


Do you often feel overwhelmed by your environment or the people around you? Has anyone ever called you shy – or worse: “too sensitive”? Do you care deeply about EVERYTHING? You may be a highly sensitive soul – a person of deep empathy and high intensity, with powerful intuition, awareness, and intelligence.

Being highly sensitive, you have a uniquely perceptive sensory system. You are therefore more sensitive to emotions, energy, environmental conditions such as lighting or sound, other people, excitement, and stress. As a result of constant stimuli, you may feel easily overwhelmed or unable to cope. Things can be particularly confusing when others seem unperturbed by the same experiences. For example, your friends might be able to shop all day, go out to dinner, and then head to a loud party. For you, that would be unbearable.

Research psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, has studied high sensitivity extensively. Her research shows that being sensitive is a personality temperament or trait, one usually inherited. According to Dr. Aron, up to 20% of the population is highly sensitive.


How To Tell If You Are Highly Sensitive
Being highly sensitive comes with a number of gifts, as well as challenges. See if any of these highly sensitive qualities resonate strongly with you.



1. You are deeply affected by all aspects of your life.
As a sensitive soul, you have great emotional passion, intensity, and depth. You may have been told that your emotions are “too much.” You are sensitive, caring, and easily affected by the energy and emotions of others. These qualities make it easy to lose touch with your needs and desires.



2. You have heightened perceptive skills.
A sensitive soul is intuitive, highly aware, and keenly observant of the subtleties of your environment, including energy, light, noise, smell, texture, and temperature. You may also be empathic or even psychic. Your perceptive skills operate in the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual realms. You tie together things you see into complex and original concepts. This makes you a visionary.



3. You have a lower tolerance for stimulation than others.
Because you receive so much information from your surroundings, your threshold for what’s “too much” is significantly lower than for those around you. This means: a) You may be seen as shy or timid; and b) You may feel uncomfortably dissimilar to others because you respond so differently to stimulation.



4. You are highly conscientious and thorough in all your undertakings.
A sensitive soul makes a great employee. You concentrate intensely and process multi-source information deeply. However, you require privacy, uninterrupted time, and little or no pressure in order to do your best work.



5. You have a strong relationship with aesthetics and art.
As a highly sensitive soul, you have a passion for beauty, art, and aesthetics. You may be highly artistic and creative yourself. You easily create beauty and comfort. Seeing things “out of alignment” can actually be physically or psychically distressing.



6. Your inner life is just as intriguing and inspiring as your outer life.
You likely have a rich, complex inner life and are highly imaginative. You may find it challenging to connect to “real world” priorities and realities.



7. You absolutely require private time alone in order to feel replenished.
Up to 70% of highly sensitive souls are introverted. But even extroverted sensitives need downtime to rejuvenate, often in a darkened, quiet room.



8. You have a strong spiritual connection and depth.
If you are highly sensitive, you experience a profound spiritual connection with the divine and/or spiritual realm. You “see” a lot in what appears common. Because of this you may feel impatient with the truly mundane.


Learning To Thrive: What You Need
Learning to thrive as a highly sensitive soul presents challenges. If you’re sensitive, you have likely accumulated years of training in trying overcome the trait because you don’t “fit in” with society. And yet being highly sensitive is a vital part of you.



A first step toward thriving as a sensitive soul is to understand and accept your trait. Hear this now: There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You are just different. As one of my clients says, being highly sensitive is both a gift and a responsibility.



Sensitive souls require regular self-care, meaningful work, and supportive relationships. Working with a sensitive coach or therapist who helps you tune into your own magnificent inner guidance system – your sensitivity – is a powerful means of support.



As you begin to manage your life in a way that truly works for you, you will trust the power and gift of your sensitivity, and be inspired to share your much-needed wisdom with the world.



Please if you relate to this and have similar feelings or just thoughts on this,I would love to hear them.
As you might imagine,being highly sensitive,then eating raw and becoming more so,presents big challenges for me. Please add your thoughts on this!!!

[debilana]

Being a Pisces sure adds to the sensitive things.../sigh

I am really sensitive in many ways, but also friendly and sometimes very passionate and outgoing- they constantly conflict and make me feel like I cannot relate to anyone but little kids and animals. I do fine in a forum online, but when I talk to folks in real life, I feel like I am always saying things all wrong or I look like a dork.

kids and animals like me tho:D

[SweetTangerine]

Very interesting post! This totally explains my boyfriend. He is a very emotional person and has an amazing sense of smell. He is very passionate about everything. I think it makes him a beautiful person. It probably helps that I am a sensitive person as well, just not to the extent that he is.

[Zaphirah]

every single one was RIGHT on with the possible exception to #4. I haven't had a real job since '97. I have never been able to work at 1 job for more than 9 months due to my sensitivity. I take criticism to hard and get really caught up in the work and no matter what it is, I can't leave it at the door-good or bad. The day plays over and over in my mind like a tape that I can't shut off. I am TOTALLY immobilized by the "demands" of work, re: of how small and petty. for example, if I have to work Tues morning I can't do ANYTHING Monday night-I have to keep focusing on the idea that I have work tomorrow, work tomorrow, work tomorrow....and when I get home I am always EXHAUSTED re: of how much or how little I actually expended. I am hoping to go back to work soon (my youngest goes off to kindergarten in the fall) but I am nervous because I get SO overwhelmed by my work environments and the constant stim of people, lights, and noise.

[rain_or_shine]

that's very interesting. i always knew i felt kind of like an outsider but i could never really figure out why.

for example people often see me as shy, but usually i am just being quiet because i am trying to listen. in group settings it just feels like they're so many people talking and it's hard for me to listen to all of those people, watch all the movements and respond at the same time. it's like there's too much information coming at me so i have to focus in on just the sound.

then there's this thing i have where i don't tend to look people in the eye when i'm talking to them, most of the time it's not because i'm uncomfortable with looking them in the eye, it's because i'm focusing on what they're saying or what i'm saying and my vision just kind of shuts off and it looks like i'm staring off into space or at the table in front of me.
that bothers me a bit because when i do remember to look people in the eye i'm reminded of how much of a connection i am missing when i stare off into space unconsciously. so that's something i've been working on - well for years.

i also tend to do things slowly and with great care because - i'm highly sensitive :) often times i hear things that people don't hear, see things that people don't see, smell things that people don't smell, etc.

because of this people either see me as a perfectionist or they think that i'm a pot smoker, which i am not :rolleyes:

for example i worked at a pizza shop about 5 years ago and when i was stretching the dough, putting the toppings on, and such i'd go at what i thought was a good pace because the pizza always turned out really nice probably nicer than most, but my coworkers just couldn't understand why i was going slower than they were and it was really hard for me to tell myself to go faster because i could see every single out of place topping or piece of dough lol.

i guess turning raw has made me more sensitive than i already was, but i'm enjoying it as i have always enjoyed my view of the world. i may feel like an outsider at times and i may not like it at times, but most of the time i just feel lucky to have been given this body and mind with such a wonderful view of life.

thanks for posting this! it made feel not so alone in my ways :D

[circle]

i will read this later, but i just want to say that people always tell me i am "too sensitive," like it is a bad thing. I never thought so, and i always thought fuck people for trying to put me down for being sensitive!?? well i didn't always think that, it was more of a recent empowerment thing. like it's a bad thing.

[Veronica01]

Hey that's me too!!! People have always said i care too much about people. I am also really shy and enjoy quiet time by myself and i am always excited to keep discovering my internal life and values. I think that's great!

[Colorawdo girl]

wow..who knew. I love having others who also have this gift and challenge.

I am at work and the furnace man just came. He slammed the door(so many times) so hard,the whole house shook. It shakes me to my core.
Plus not feeling well either, be it cleansing or sickness from the boys.....blessed I have not been sick in so long. Oh this is what it feels like>>>????

[cara4art]

In spades! I happened on that questionnaire online a number of years ago, and everything clicked to such an amazing degree that my jaw literally dropped, seriously! Like Zapirah, #4 was the exception. I've had trouble life-long even fitting into jobs, and have been an artist life-long. When I was at jobs however, I did really try to do the job right! It was such a relief when I found out that that there was a name for what I've been going through life-long, and that there was NOTHING wrong with me! From Day One, it seems, I was told that I was "too sensitive", to "get a thicker skin, etc." and that I had "an overactive imagination". I've had lots of trouble in most social situations too, and in fact, at this time, I have pretty much dropped out of any social life, as my sensitivities seem to be increasing, rather than decreasing with age(now 61). As far as social life, it would be nice to have a little bit, with a compatible person or two, but that has only happened a very few times in my life.
I can definitely agree with what others have said too.
It's not surprising that sensitive people would be drawn to the raw food lifestyle too, and one gets into new levels of sensitivity as well. The problem out there is that our culture does not value sensitivity very much, I'm afraid.

[Raw Angel Mom]

oh yes, i am lol.... and raw food enhance it even more....

I am ok with this now and just somehow learn to make peace with that and use it in a balance and healthy way.

There is hope for us, lol...

[*RayRay*]

Not one to accept labels(as I feel they then become self fulfilling)

I agree with this part of what you said.....labels IMO are self fulfilling.....:) who are we if we don't label ourselves....?....something to think about i guess.....:)

[Colorawdo girl]

Ray Ray....this description I gladly accepted,for me, because it made so much sense of my life, from my conception onward. I welcomed something that made me realize what it was all about and what a true gift it was.

[HolyGuacamole]

God, yes.
(And again, no to #4 for the same reasons described above.)

[Colorawdo girl]

Funny....number 4. Seems that we want something MORE for ourselves.To feed and stimulate our creative side. We would rather perhaps have less income and more free time to paint or create. A job that has all these limitations and rules and proper decorum and oppressive bosses, its not for us.

I find I am a great employee if I am doing a job I like or that stirs me.Try to be even when I dislike it too.Have seemed to do every job well.But yes,they pass. My one day at a hydroponic greenhouse, walking on stilts to take care of tops of tomatoes. Notice I said my one day....hahahahaa

Freedom on the job to break out of the box and vary it and make it fun. Gotta be fun.

Zaphirah,I am so with you on the "I have to work tommorow"....and feeling overwhelmed no matter how easy the day went. If it was a harder day..OH MY.Forget it.

As you might see from my other posts, I am in inquiry of most areas of my life.
My job-I nanny.Its not lighting me up. It is not my passion. Wonder what I would be doing without my fear? What am I willing to give up to do what I love to do. My art again. Perhaps more rawfood coaching. So much that lights me up. What am I doing?

This city. Living in a busy chaotic city.Traffic,sirens,noise. With neighbors that buy surround sound for the upstairs apartment and consistently fall out of bed(sounds like) in the middle of the night and wake me up.

What am I doing? As a friend on here said,I can do all I can to feed my physical body but if my spirit is not being fed it can cancel it all. Thats where I am at.


This nagging continues at my door, to make a move and create a life I love.Stuck and stopped is how I feel.

Seems there is such a delicate balance going on here. So much value and beauty and delicate structure,with so very much to give to the world,yet requiring lots of cave time to refresh and restore.

I would love to have your ideas and support....on LEAPS OF FAITH
Doing what you love
Embracing fear and jumping
Letting go of what doesnt
work.
Thank you in advance.

[fitz]

I actually have the book, and one of my daughters and myself fall into that category. It is a blessing and a curse. I have found that if I were to sum the whole life experience as a highly sensitive person is that I have the added burden of extra struggle, pain, hurt, etcetera, but it provides me extra insight and ability to empathize with others. I consider being a mom to be my greatest calling, and there is no doubt in my mind that the way I am helps me to keenly understand my children.

[Colorawdo girl]

I hear you for sure. I too see its challenges yet I look every day to see the gift in it,harder to find on some days than others.

These past couple days,in sickness, every sound is a crashing noise in my head.That is a challenge.

It is said that HSP are the greatest caregivers for children.

[*RayRay*]

Ray Ray....this description I gladly accepted,for me, because it made so much sense of my life, from my conception onward. I welcomed something that made me realize what it was all about and what a true gift it was.

I'm not saying it is a 'bad' thing......just find it interesting that it makes people feel good when something or someone outside of themselves tells them why they are the way they are, or why they do the things they do....Why do you need this outside source of information in order to be okay with being the way you are? I also can relate to many of the things listed as characteristics of "highly sensitive people" (but not all of them...) , but I prefer not to categorize myself as a "highly sensitive person".....It just feels 'icky' to me to put that sort of label on myself.....so i choose not to.... I like to think that I am the way I am, and I don't need a reason for being this way in order to make it okay...! But again, that's just me.....I am not putting down anyone who does like labeling themselves in this way, just sharing my way of thinking about it:)

here's a quote from another thread (letting go) actually that is out of context, but at the same time IMO is closely related to what is being discussed in this thread!


czpinky
rememeber that we are not the roles we play or the "things" we say we are...we are the self inside, the soul. good luck and god bless!

[katacykls]

I feel my sensitivity has incremented since incorporating a lot more raw foods to my diet..I have a deeper sense of taste and stronger reactions to foods, and at times, even to certain people. To me, being sensitive is a part of being in tune, and finding a way to balance sensitivity with life is just a necessary part of the process. It's not good or bad. It is just the way it is.
Cool Post-

[recycledsoul]

sensitivity is awareness.. but its good not to be so touchy that everything gets to you.
i agree about the not getting identified with the body and the senses..
Osho has 2 nice video about sensitivity:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwXMdbtTwtM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTSscKi1mxY
'sensitivity is the begining of a new opening of Your Being. Dont be afraid. Keep growing higher and higher, more and more sensitive"
:D

[tanishamarshall]

This sounds just like me. Raw really heightens the experience. I too have felt it was good and bad especially when you don't understand it and other people don't sense what you do even though they have the same capabilities.

I am more comfortable with it now. I'll be honest a couple times in the beginning of my raw journey, I actually stepped back from being super raw because I didn't know how to take all of the sensitivity and energy that came with it so I kept eating cooked. Now I embrace it.

[Colorawdo girl]

yes the ebb n flow of raw cooked in the beginning....wonder why we are almost scared of feeling good??? Its such a foreign feeling to us maybe.

[Colorawdo girl]

I have been learning alot more about sensitivity since this thread post and I feel so very blessed for it. It means I am not among the dead or those numbed out.woweeee

[D'vorah]

I have both the book AND the workbook and I've never gotten very far in them because it just is too much. Heh.

I've been told many times that I'm too sensitive. Usually to settle some argument.

Angel Mom, you said raw enhances it. Can you say more?

Colorawdo, yes, wanting to move forward into something meaninful and yet stuck. Me too. I've made baby steps back out into the world since my last kid left the nest. Before kids, I was an Army officer and loved it. I was also a hard ass. I think I just got good at locking it all down. I grew up with an alcoholic mom and I HAD to get a career and get out of their house. I just had to learn at an early age how to manage it and close it off. Being a mom blew the doors off the barn I stored it all in. I'm sure that's the role food has filled in the last stage of my life, keeping it all down, because I couldn't be a hard ass and be a good, caring mother.

What I don't get, is how it's a gift. Maybe if I actually read the book. . . .

Deborah

[rawbabymama]

All these criteria fit me as a child, but I learned defense mechanisms thanks to an abusive parent & being on my own at age 16 - I stopped being shy, and I learned to numb myself in a variety of ways to cope. My ADD (which is exacerbated by cooked foods) makes it so that I am often distracted with the fantasy world inside my head, and I don't notice things being "out of alignment".

On one hand, being highly sensitive is this amazing gift because we experience life so much more intensely than the average person, but, on the other hand, we often feel painfully different from the vast majority of people, and it is difficult to find those who understand us.

I've realized over the past few years I've anesthetized myself with allergenic foods & alchohol. When I go raw, the awareness is blinding, the energy overwhelming, and I find myself on the verge of bliss or tears with the slightest provocation. My best friend is also highly sensitive - she is the one who introduced me to raw foods, and she cannot be 100% raw because she can't handle the world without the veils on her perception cooked food supplies.

I have had more than one person tell me "You have to remember, no one thinks the way you do." I've had people laugh at me for crying about meat that went bad (because I felt the animal lost their life to feed someone, and the meat going bad was a horrible tragedy, terribly disrespectful to the animal's life), or for feeling terribly sad for killing harmful insects.

I wouldn't give it up for the world, though, because it has made me who I am. I am a good person, wonderful friend, great mom because of these traits. I am always on the lookout for people like me :-); I finally understand how rare we are in the grand scheme of humanity, and, if you look at history, this explains a lot.

(Ok, ok, just the slightest touch of narcissism, too - LOL)

Best Wishes,

Michele

[Colorawdo girl]

Thanks Michelle for sharing. Yes the gift comes with a price. The book really makes sense and gave me clarity.

[shakti17]

thx for posting this. i am definately highly sensitive (except #4 too!)

this thread has helped me a lot tonite - i have been numbing out for the past hour on RFT because I have been in so much turmoil all day over the silliest things! i know rationally that these issues taking up brain space are not important - but i obsess and get into a self hatred spiral.

honestly, that is why i used to see saw on raw a lot. i would go all raw for a while and then i could not handle all of the feelings that came up - so i would eat cooked again to block them.

ray ray -- maybe some people need "outside source" because they ARE sensitive. for me, it is just a nice reminder that i am not crazy or weird - like why do I FEEL so much???? it is nice for me to hear it framed in a positive way - i am sensitive! ok!:)

also my mother was very sensitive. we are both psychic.:o

[Colorawdo girl]

You are welcome shakti . I benefitted so much from knowing about myself and honoring it. woohooo

[rawffle]

Wow, how amazingly timely. This is ME all over, every single aspect.

#4 is really interesting. I can totally relate to the comments about it.
In the past I have had a TERRIBLE track record with jobs, my longest one was about 8 months or so. They were usually over much quicker. As I got older, I tried to at least make sure I had a good reason to leave.

But, #4 is still very true of me - I CARE so deeply about doing my job right. I am very sensitive to criticism and I thrive on being needed and appreciated - so even if I don't particularly enjoy secretarial work, there are very positive things about having finally worked my way up to that from waiting tables (speaking of waiting tables, talk about a nightmare for sensitive people). :) Anyway I managed to make my first "real" job last over a year which a pretty demanding boss. He could be abrasive but he really trusted me so that made me really appreciate the job, until one day he got too rough. I gave him like 2 months' notice but I did quit after that incident LOL.

Anyway these types of challenges make me want to be my own boss. I love people, but I don't like to work for them. The people I work with are great, I just want more for myself. 'Mundane' makes me die inside after too long. My mom is extremely sensitive, too. She has a much worse job record than me.

I literally shudder when I see animals dead on the road. I feel sad when I put salt under my kitchen cabinets to keep the slugs off my floor. I cry my EYES out if something in a movie gets to me. Syriana was one example - people dying for political gain tears me apart. I cry at concerts. If I try to sing a song that I think is pretty, I often choke up and can't finish. Sad things and beautiful things make me cry. I am pretty shy but I have learned to put myself out there to be polite and "normal". As a result people marvel at how "laid back" I am. Most people comment about how calm I am in situations where panic is called for. :p However I MUST have my alone time and I like a dim room to relax in. And yes I hear "you're too sensitive" all the time. :)

[rawffle]

CaraforArt, Zaphirah, rain or shine - DITTO to what you all said!

edit - Something else just occurred to me!

My siblings always complain because when they playfully poke me or lightly swat me, I always say "ouch". Apparently this isn't normal because they just don't see how it could possibly be painful. Now I understand why! I've always wondered why for me "a touch is a blow". "Normal" sensations don't bother me but pokes and pinches hurt me when they wouldn't really bother someone else.

[Colorawdo girl]

Hi raffle...when I read your post about carreers I saw the challenge that HSP have...me included.
To have a carreer or job you like that fills you or rather you fill it. A complete whole satisfying experience where your whole self, aspects of you all being put to work. Resulting in fullfillment and satisfaction.
That has been my goal as well, to use all the talents I have been given. Seems one job or carreer might not be all that but rather to have many irons in the fire.
I hear and understand and relate form experience to every word you said.
I am with you.

[rawffle]

I'm glad no one is at work today because I'm crying with happiness. I'm so excited to find out more about this. It's like you flipped a light switch on. Thank you so much for posting this thread; who knows how long it would have been before I found this? I have been struggling for so long to define myself so that I wouldn't feel weird (although I kind of embrace my weirdness). I don't care how but I will be taking the course on her website and also will be picking up a few books. No wonder I can't choose only one thing to do with myself. How nice to feel "gifted" instead of "awkward".

As an odd sidenote - my birth chart is ALL OVER the place. A friend was commenting about my ten million hobbies and interests and decided to map me out. That was interesting! That helped a little, but this will change my life.

Thank you.

[Colorawdo girl]

Gifted..we are gifted. Bless you.

[diamondscape]

I was born with a heightened sense of awareness. It totally sucked growing up in a suburb of Dallas being this way. I had no idea who I was or am. My parents had no idea. I would spend hours outside meditating and visiting with angelic beings and more!! My parents would say "oh thats nice honey". I also have ALWAYS had prophetic dreams. And at one point in my life I could not even be with people. I just hid out out and self numbed. It was so intense to SEE everything and feel it and not know what to do about it.
So raw... yes raw is amazing and helps clear all the fear and funk out. The truth is I am a healer. Not just of people but of the entire earth of all living things. And I am learning that this is why my awareness is sooooooooooooooooooooo BIG. And why I see right into people and love them so deeply. ANd I do not have to look away or be ashamed or afraid!!! It is OK to be who we are made to be. In fact the Earth/ universe needs and is calling us to step into ourselves fully. When we do boldly... miracles start happening and our lives are transformed.
So yes I relate and I am so happy that someone else is talking about this. Now that I am learning how to actually walk in this gift of I AM... people keep telling me of how I made a big impression on them. And people just start opening up left and right. It is AMAZING really. We just need to LOVE more. Ourselves and others. BE LOVE. It is good that we cannot hide this!!!!
I am LOVING IT now.... AH HAH I get it!!!!

Be Love

this convo rocks btw

[Colorawdo girl]

Diamondscape, It seems, for me, the ability to love and express love and BE love , is the best part of it all. Yes, to get past the outer appearance of people, and even their stuff that shows up, and see their beauty.

To be able to create from that place as well is cool.

You mentioned being born.

This is my funny line...
I was born this highly sensitive person and finally get to get out of the hospital and go home for some peace and quiet.....and nine other people got the before me!!! (my mom had eleven total)

I tell others about this to help them and also do help others understand me a bit too. Most of all I understand what is going on and what I need for myself, and it is a ok.
Best to you

[rawffle]

I bought Dr. Aron's book "The Highly Sensitive Person" a few days ago. I am about halfway through it. I would read it all in one sitting if I could get away with it. Every page is an "A-HA!" moment. I have noticed so many things that I never paid attention to before. My boyfriend turns out to be HSP, too - just didn't want to let it show because he is a male. We have had an amazing week reflecting on everything - past events, things about ourselves, things about eachother. Lots of painful memories and 'failures' in my past now make sense and don't hurt as much, if at all, anymore. It's hard to grow as a person without being aware of these things, so I am so grateful to know about this!

I have noticed that almost every person I've found whose website is devoted to being about HSP is also a raw foodist; I thought that was amazing. I suppose we all eventually recognize that we, especially, need to take particular care of our health in order not to feel exhausted all the time. At least that was how I felt and how I got here.

Yesterday I read about how we feel pulled in so many different directions career-wise and have so many interests. I don't feel crazy anymore! :p

[Colorawdo girl]

You got the same aha I got....and continue to let peeps know about it. It makes a world of difference to know and understand.
That book helped me beyond words.
I saw what a gift I had been given. Glad you see now too. Now you are ready to LIVE FULL OUT.

[D'vorah]

I have noticed that almost every person I've found whose website is devoted to being about HSP is also a raw foodist; I thought that was amazing. I suppose we all eventually recognize that we, especially, need to take particular care of our health in order not to feel exhausted all the time. At least that was how I felt and how I got here.




I'm so glad the awareness is healing for you. Can you share some of the websites you've found?

Thanks,

Deborah, feeling especially sensitive today.

[Colorawdo girl]

Another person blown away by reading the book. Life makes so much sense with this information. Love it.

[moonstar]

Yes-- I am a highly sensitive person! ;)

[Colorawdo girl]

Welcome here too Moonstar. What a gift. I highly recommend reading "The Highly Sensitive Person" book. You will see YOU in a whole new way..if you have not read it.

We are here for you.Bette

[ShantiLove]

wooo how did I miss this thread.

I bought Arons book called Highly sensitive children when my daughter was about a year old. She has always been super sensitive and getting the book sounded like a good idear. Well reading it was a total :eek: what I was reading sounded totaly like myself and my childhood. So we are both highly sensitive.
What a gift it is.


Now that I am learning how to actually walk in this gift of I AM... people keep telling me of how I made a big impression on them. And people just start opening up left and right. It is AMAZING really. We just need to LOVE more. Ourselves and others. BE LOVE. It is good that we cannot hide this!!!!
Diamond how true this is. When I finaly found peace with who I am people respond to me totaly different. I have even found several highly sensitive friends too, a dream to be around. And my beautiful customors in the shop I work at are just responding to me in the most amasing way, opening up like I would never imagine. I never knew I was so gifted :rolleyes:

Even with my husband it has really helped explaning about highly sensitive people. He thinks I makes so much more sense now LOL


I have noticed that almost every person I've found whose website is devoted to being about HSP is also a raw foodist; I thought that was amazing. I suppose we all eventually recognize that we, especially, need to take particular care of our health in order not to feel exhausted all the time. At least that was how I felt and how I got here.

rawffle that is so interesting. Yes I belive we feel a drive to live more pure. We need to feel pure indside out to thrive. But I have found that being 100% raw makes me much more sensitive (actutaly too much) so I have to eat a little cooked everyday to stay sain. Does that makes sense ?
I would love to eat 100% but I would go nuts at my surounding for being to heavy, dark, crowded, messed up a.s.o. I get totaly overwhelmed. Sigh, what to do ? Do you get passed that ? what are your guys experience ?

I love that there are so many highly sensetive people here. Love you guys :)

[Colorawdo girl]

When I finaly found peace with who I am people respond to me totaly different. I have even found several highly sensitive friends too, a dream to be around. And my beautiful customors in the shop I work at are just responding to me in the most amasing way, opening up like I would never imagine. I never knew I was so gifted

It has been a delicate balance for me. To get who I am(which I did) and to also know what my needs were. And important was that it was sooo ok what my needs were. Even though they were different than others and perhaps many, they are simply the things I need. And not buying into other peoples thoughts about "being too sensitive".

Lots of cave time for inner work and restoration. Rest.
Peace and quiet.
Times with no outside stimulation at all and much more.

With the gift comes challenges to balance all this. Giving to others while recognizing need to hole up too. Ones are drawn but may drain if not careful. Prioritizing me time is key! I can go out and connect with people in amazing ways, as you said, then go home to restore.

[ShantiLove]

Oh yes cave time is soooooooo important. Specialy after a buissy stressfull day or dealing with people who had big problems (or suckers, who suck energy of you). But I have found that focusing on choosing to be of service drain me less than if I feel I have to do it. I have exerienced several time where I was just really tired and stressed and just wantet to go and hide from the world, and then someone comes along who really need someone to talk to or somthing, and by focusing on them and their need my triedness dissapears and I feel recharged with energy.
But when people in a big degree violate my limits then I cant stand it and need time for myself. That is peoples anger, frustrations and negative vibs. Yiks. Cant stand that.

But alone time is essencial for all sensitive people :)

[Colorawdo girl]

shantilove, thank you. Yes yes yes. Ditto and I get that and live that. wow...fresh air..ahhhhhhh

I wanted to say I value you and your posts. They are very helpful and supportive. By sharing YOU we understand ourselves. So cool. lv to yo,Bette

[ShantiLove]

I wanted to say I value you and your posts. They are very helpful and supportive. By sharing YOU we understand ourselves. So cool. lv to yo,Bette
Dearest Bette all I can say is ditto :D

[Colorawdo girl]

Awwwwww....and your ape really gets me. Hahahahaha.

I have a monkey/ape type critter. Alabaster or something. He was a tiki bar monkey now he is a raw food eater that hangs in my room from a rope. He throws banana peels and avocado pits at me in the night.:eek:

I am ok with it.It is what it is. However, I do get perturbed with him because he eats all my raw stuff!!!! I say "keep your paws off my stuff!!!"

All in all, I guess he has to eat too:rolleyes: and we know, raw is best! luv

[a1icia]

Ooooh I Love this thread! I discovered this about myself in the fall of last year. What a revelation it was for me. Suddenly everything about me made perfect sense. It even helped my husband understand me better.

I love being highly sensitive. I view it as a gift and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Interesting that shortly after my discovery, I naturally turned to raw foods.

[lucky lemons]

Yep, that's me all over :D INFJ, right here! I've known this about myself since I was a little girl. I liked to be alone out in nature rather than with other people. I felt (and still sometimes feel) largely misunderstood by all the extroverted, socially centered people in the world. Now if I could just find a career that would allow me the alone time I require to do truly great things!

[Colorawdo girl]

Hi lemons....yipeeee.. I gotta say this. I sent the book about this to a friend and it has opened a whole new world. When peeps who are HSP get this and see the gift that is it.....they really come into WHO they are...it is cool.

Number four seems to be the challenge for many. I want to be in my studio painting to no end, having someone else market my art and have peace and quiet. However I so love being out there and seeing the people receive my painted love.

I just know if you get a clear picture of what your perfect work looks like, you will find it.

[margoss]

wow...this describes both me & my dd. We're both pisces. I"ve always been told that I wear my emotions on my sleeve & it annoyed others. Why is ok to insult, humiliate & degrade people yet when they respond with pain, they're weak, being rediculous & need to 'join the real world'. I don't want to be inthe real world if that's the way I'm suppose to be. Really, I just don't like being around drama, untruth, backstabbing, etc so I feel that I don't fit in places. My dd is very different from many kids her age. She's not as aggressive, hostile..she's more innocent, kind & caring. I was always made fun of but I refuse to allow others/family/adults treat her that way. She's very sensitive. I have to be careful. It bothers when people talk about kids being 'drama, babies'. They're just caring people vs angry-hate the world. I have a hard time fitting at work bc they talk so badly about others behind their back. I can't stand that. I actually dread going to functions bc I'm quiet & know I'm not going to fit in. I like to people watch & figure out what people are hiding about themselves.

[Colorawdo girl]

As you go, you might make new choices of work, friends, places and spaces where you feel more comfortable.

Being raw created more sensitivity in me and I have changed almost everything since then.

I let the others people be. I notice the meaness and move away from it.

I honor my sensitivity and see how I can truly be with another and feel what they feel and empathize and love. am so very happy I am sensitive.

[Gaius]

No, I'm probably not sensitive enough actually.

[SunChild]

a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.

Absolutely. I have that written in a journal somewhere long ago, when I read it, it sounded like the story of my life.
Not that it is obvious on the outside, on the outside I have complete equanimity and calm, but inwardly, it runs deep. It comes out when I require it to though.

I love being creative, my life and work MUST have a purpose, I have a mission, am writing a book for teens on spirituality, I have an affinity for creative geniuses when it comes to philosophy and theosophy. My life resembles more of an ethereal dream, serendipitous and magical, daily. I become inspired by most events that take place, there is a sense of knowing my destiny and karma. I just feel so sensitive and connected and have deep empathy too. I seem to learn by osmosis. My brother and mother are the same too. Being sensitive is a gift and a burden.

[rawrawks]

Sunchild, I have come to see the gift that it is. For me, there is no burden anymore. When I accepted all that I am and all that I give to the world, I take it ALL as a true gift and blessing.

We were picked. yay!!!

[rawrawks]

Bumping this to the top, hoping I can see some more of these great personal experiences.

Any more people?

[margoss]

I think being highly sensitive is sometimes confused with being 'high maintenance'. I've always been 'high maintenance' emotionally not financially. I never thought I was clinging, just close to people -their feelings- love to help them feel better.
Any input on this?

[rawrawks]

Yes I can see where being highly sensitive might appear, to the undiscernng eye, as high maintainence. However, if you learn all about YOU then YOU can maintain YOU. AND then no one else feels they need to.

Close to people yes, feeling what they feel, and wanting them to feel better.
Truly a gift, not a negative at all. We are gifts to others in so many ways.

Anyone who sees me as high maintainence and doesnt want to be around and leaves loses out on the gift of me and what I bring to ther life.

[margoss]

Anyone who sees me as high maintainence and doesnt want to be around and leaves loses out on the gift of me and what I bring to ther life.[/QUOTE]

very well put!!

[easyrawliving]

For as long as I can remember people have told me that I'm 'too sensitive'... finally I've come to say I prefer to be 'too sensitive' than insensitive... :D

a friend sent me a link to a movie she just viewed yesterday... ADAM... I watched the trailer and totally welled up and started crying a bit....

and I'm okay with that. ; )

[rawffle]

Anyone who sees me as high maintainence and doesnt want to be around and leaves loses out on the gift of me and what I bring to ther life.

Very well said. :)

[Sparklie]

Thank you for this thread. Someone loaned me this book about a year ago, first I'ld ever heard of HSP, and even though I felt elated to finally have answers to me, I couldn't finish the book. Maybe, now I will buy my own copy and take my time with it. When I borrow something, the entire time I feel this sense of obligation to get it back to the person, so much so, that I don't enjoy having the thing, I use it and get it back asap. But, I so relate to everyone here. Thank you, for calling it a gift.

The comments on work resonate with me as well. Even a part-time job can overwhelm me. Even in my free time, all I'm thinking about is when I have to go back. So much so, that I don't enjoy the free time. And, the co-worker, bad boss thing. Oh my golly. I have always had some disagreeable person that I worked with, everyone else seemed to get along with, and I couldn't stand working with.

I had a very lonely and painful childhood, because of my sensitivity and classmates, shall I say bullying or just meanness. Whatever it was, I put up a fake, tough shell that I am just beginning to let go of. I have a very loving and supportive husband and don't need to be so self-protective. Thank, God

Thank you, for letting me see I am not alone.

[margoss]

Sparklie..
good for you for expressing this. Sometimes, just putting it out there helps. Remember, you're an adult now & eventhough memories of these times are there, we do not have to let these hurt us more.