Are you “too sensitive”?

I am – surprise! – a sensitive person.

As you can imagine, this is largely a positive thing for me in my work as a Kinesiologist. Sensitivity to emotions, energy, mood, subtleties, noise are all good. Being sensitive allows me to tap into my intuition which is hugely helpful in what I do.

Being sensitive was not so convenient when I used to teach primary students. Oh my goodness. So many people around, all the time. No time to think or be by yourself. Noise! Commotion! Dramas! And that’s just the parents ….

Certainly being very sensitive can sometimes be seen as a negative, especially by others who might not be so sensitive themselves.

My Dad always thought it was odd how I hated lots of noise or intense emotions around me as a child. I was pretty shy too. My husband can’t understand why I get upset at violence on tv (I often have to leave the room!) After lots of time around people I often feel like I need to withdraw.

I guess I thought it was mostly a “me” thing, not an actual, you know, “thing”.

But I discovered there is actually a Thing called “Highly Sensitive People“!

Anyway, I did the self test and yep, definitely highly sensitive. Even though I kind of already knew that, it was still kind of interesting to have it “confirmed”. Apparently 20% of people are highly sensitive.

It’s not even remotely unusual!

If you’re sensitive, I think there can be a tendency to see it in a negative light. But there’s no need. It’s just a thing!

However you might feel more calm and relaxed generally if you remember to manage it – especially by giving yourself time out when you need it.

Sensitivity to noise, busyness, stimulation and especially to other people’s emotions and feelings can lead to overwhelm or anxiety or even grumpiness or feeling snappy. Tiredness tends to magnify the sensitivity.

Nervous system overload.

It can all just feel a bit too much.

Sometimes clearing “other people’s stuff” from your energy field can make a big difference to how you feel. This has come up with clients before – often we don’t even need to find out what it is. It’s just a build up of lots of bits and pieces of other people’s stuff and we just need to clear it.

However, for me, the most important thing I do to manage my sensitivity is to try to notice when I’m getting overwhelmed and remember it probably just means I need some time by myself and/or sleep.

It really can save a lot of time trying to figure out what is “wrong”!

PS – My Mum is staying with me and after reading the first line of this post, she said, “Oh yes, you’ve always been very sensitive to noise, haven’t you”!!!!! Why, yes I have. This before she even reads the Dad bit. She did the quiz and she’s super sensitive too

What about you, are you sensitive? How does it affect you?

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