HSPs
If you have always felt slightly different to others within you tribe, perhaps you are an HSP, a Highly Sensitive Person. This term has been in existence since the mid-1990s following the publishing of Elaine Aron’s book, “The Highly Sensitive Person”.
Whether its relative strangers seeking you out to tell you of their woes, crying at the beauty of art, or like me, blubbing at DIY SOS! this emerging trait is thought to account for up to 30% of the population. Yes, the concept of HSP is a neurodiversity and while accepting a neurodiversity is perhaps more likely if you are sensitive, this self-fulfilling aspect really doesn’t matter. Belonging to a tribe is a primal need. If you’ve been accused of being too sensitive, or over-thinking, welcome to the tribe, the door is open, come on in.
Aron lists four indicators of HSPs (DOES):
Depth of Processing. You think extraordinarily deeply and have very strong feelings as a result of an experience. A rich and complex inner life. Deep empathy. You feel others’ feelings. You’re constantly tired and stressed.
Overstimulation. Your nervous system can become overstimulated. Anxiety can produce physical and emotional tensions.
Emotional Reactivity. You have a tendency to react to things more emotionally than others, whether they are positive or negative.
Sensitivity to Subtle Stimuli. HSPs process stimuli more deeply, not better or quicker. Results of the processing resonate for much longer.
The tribe has a number of high profile members. Nicole Kidman, Lorde, Miranda Hart and Alanis Morissette have all publicly identified as HSPs.
Sensitivity as a spectrum has a PR problem. UK society still paints sensitivity as a negative trait in some corners, especially among males. Despite having the neurological ability to perform to extremely high levels, HSPs may have to battle traditional testosterone driven views and myths, and HSPs are prone to burnout as they wrestle with a desire to make deep connections in an emotionally full world.
HSPs need to take the first steps to exploring this potential superpower, starting with self-care, understanding and accepting your place as a sensitive person in the world, reading about HSPs and finding peace.
Coaching takes a whole view of you, finds these hidden strengths and empowers you with knowledge. Finally, coaching helps to rid yourself of shame. Accept your vulnerabilities and see where your life goes with the energy that this brings.
