• Are you overwhelmed by the sensory input of bright lights, strong smells, or loud sounds?
• Do other people’s moods strongly affect you?
• Are you often eager to withdraw into solitude to have privacy, safety, and relief from the unsettling outer world?
• Do you feel that your emotional sensitivity is a burden?
• Do you have a rich or imaginative inner life?
• Do you avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations to feel safe, sane, and whole?

If so you may be an HSP, a Highly Sensitive Person, also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS).

The term Highly Sensitive Person was coined by psychologist Elaine Aron. She estimated HSPs to be around 15-20% of the population.

HSPs are often thought to be shy because they carefully look before stepping into new situations. But really they simply want to ensure they are safe.

Many HSPs are not shy at all. A good number are actually extroverts. Their sensitivity can mistakenly be labelled by others as being inhibited, fearful, or simply neurotic. It’s much more complicated than that.

Being an HSP can cause stress, anxiety, or relationship challenges. But it can also be a wonderful gift that increases empathy and develops strong social skills.

There is nothing wrong with you.

Being sensitive is not a flaw. It’s even more than okay to be ultra-sensitive. It is your superpower.

Would you like some support and tools as an HSP?

What Happens in an HSP Coaching Session?

#1: You are accepted and supported just you as is. What a relief…

#2: We will work together to calmly help you master your sensitivity to physical, mental, emotional, psychic, or social stimuli. And reinforce and honor the special gift that you are.

#3: Together we will explore effective strategies to find balance and inner peace in your daily life.

If you tend to overthink things and feel much more empathically, than others it can be managed. You don’t have to be overwhelmed by the energy of other people, struggle with relationships or live in your mind. You can find balance and inner peace in your daily life.

I can share the many tools I successfully use myself to navigate the universe of sensory overload. Sometimes I just listen to you.

I am an HSP, myself. I know how it feels…

I used to be very self-conscious about all my feelings as an HSP. What I often wanted from other people was just to be heard. I wanted to be validated and allowed to simply be who I truly was. I wanted it to be okay to feel what I was truly feeling.

My living environment as a child was chaotic at times. I spent much time alone, lost in my own dream world. One specific incident stands out.

While eating dinner at a local restaurant with my family I began to cry. There had been a palpable tension between my brother and mother at the table during the meal. I felt it. My tears were their own pain expressed. I needed to release the pain somehow…

They both stopped fighting the moment they saw my distress. My tears immediately ceased. I then went back to eating as if nothing had happened.

Due to my high level of psychic ability as well, my empathy was off the charts. The imaginary world of my mind and feelings seemed as rich and real as the physical world around me. It was very confusing…

As an adult it felt like a battle at times. I had to understand how all of this worked so I could be at peace and function. So I diligently worked at it to find solutions to allow me to live a happier life.

More Signs of Being an HSP

Do you try very hard to avoid making mistakes?

Do violent movies and TV shows disturb you?

Are you profoundly emotionally moved by works of art?