10 signs you’re a highly sensitive person

Too sensitive? Too emotional? Emotionally reactive? Are those words others have used to describe you or words you have used to describe yourself? We may often feel like we are too sensitive or too emotional for this world, or perhaps find ourselves comparing ourselves to other people who may seem more rational in how they operate and navigate the world. The truth is that we are all emotional beings with a wide range of emotions, and we can struggle in varying degrees with how we let them take over us or how we outwardly display them to the world; and in a society that can shame us for having strong emotions. But let's dive into what a highly sensitive person is, why highly sensitive people are the way they are, and how to work on emotional regulation. We can also see how empathy and deep understanding can be helpful in our life and relationships. And instead of asking yourself if you're too emotional or too sensitive or how to be less emotional or sensitive, let's just phrase it as we are highly sensitive people (or HSP as some call it) so we don't attach such negative language to it.

Some more videos you may find helpful:

Timestamps:
0:22: Understanding the traits of highly sensitive individuals and tips for managing overwhelm.
3:17: Characteristics of individuals with heightened sensitivity and empathic nature.
6:21: Characteristics of individuals with heightened sensitivity to stimuli and emotions.
9:36: Recognizing and managing signs of high sensitivity to improve well-being and connection with others.
12:48: Understanding the benefits of being highly sensitive and how to reframe it positively.

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[warrens]

I'm definitely an HSP, but also avoidant. Life is so difficult because any negative energy coming towards me is like being hit by a truck.

[Chicasueca]

When my daughter started throwing up every morning before going to "mothers day out" program (3 days/ week at our church), we started realizing something wasn't right. We had her tested for autism and the psychiatrist told us she was part of a 2% population that had Asperger's and sensory processing disorder (with a couple of other things). Reading Elaine Aron's book Highly Sensitive Child opened up an entirely different world for us! She was our first child, and we were tired of having to explain her sensitivities and shyness to everyone all the time. We were able to enroll her in a small preschool that helped her handle the feelings of being overwhelmed, and she's now going to college in a different state! It's been a difficult journey, including many sacrifices, but every single one of them has been worth it in the end. She's highly intelligent and received a full tuition scholarship, and wants to become a family, marriage and child therapist!

[bronwynlandis]

I was told this my entire career in hospitality at the front desk. I would get really sad and upset when guests would insult me and scream at me. My supervisors would always say I need to toughen up and take it less personally. I ultimately had to leave the industry because I was making myself sick. It feels validating to hear you speak about this!!

[lpvfhsi]

I have been an HSP for 74 years and I have always struggled to fit in anywhere. It was easier when I was younger because I just put my mask on and petended I was having a nice time, but then I needed to be alone asap to de-stress. I came to dread socialising and all it entailed. As I got older I just wanted to be authentic and be myself, so I would refuse parties and gatherings and isolate. It has been like this for decades, and I am much happier now that I am not living a lie. The older I get the more alone time I need. I love going out alone in the country or to the beach, away from people and noise. I never feel lonely and I love the privacy I enjoy. I live in a Lifestyle Village, so you can imagine I don't go down well with with others living here. I just try to ignore them when they tell me I need to get out more or mix with others, they haven't got a clue, and I have given up trying to explain how it is for me. They just don't get it.

[AirflowToTheTurbo]

This is me. The slightest comment or look can set me reeling with hurt and overreaction that takes several hours to overcome. If I comment on something online, I can't let myself read any replies because if they're critical, mocking or even slightly negative, it's like getting hit by an emotional bus. I've been like this all my life. I'm most comfortable alone with my cat. I feel like I was born without the armour everyone else has. I'm just completely overwhelmed by other people. They have enormous power over me so I tend to isolate.

[colleend]

It is especially difficult to be an HSP in an insensitive world 💔🌪

[oftenwrong.]

Life is hell
But somehow you go on. Day after day. But I think you get points for not doing yourself in.
You’re not alone!

[luckydog]

Being a HSP who is also an Introvert, with OCD and extreme perfectionism is oh so much fun. Or, not really.

[GreenAndTheToe]

I’m too sensitive to watch reality shows because it gives me anxiety

[AllyCat-uxem]

I am an empath. I’m also diagnosed schizophrenic and bipolar 1. It’s hard getting out of bed at times, because it feels like I’m a sponge and I pick up on negativity around me. However, this gift is also a blessing to me. I love going to the park and watching the ducks, it affects me profoundly. Empathy is a double edged sword.

[maureendrozda]

This World NEEDS The Highly Sensitive, The Empaths, The Compassionate People Who Can Help Change The Ugly, The Painful, The Wrong, The Suffering, & Make Things Better!💪✊

[DannyRandomz]

I live in the UK and am dual diagnosed with autism and ADHD-I and this is ME. I don't know what the result of my watching this video will be, but I am glad I watched it and have added it to a new Come Back To playlist so I can return to it. I want to share this with my family but I don't know how I'd encourage them to watch it because while they work hard 5 days a week and are tired from it and can find me exhausting at times, whereas I volunteer at a charity shop when I choose and socialise when I choose to so for them it looks like I have it easy and I do have it easier but that's only because in order to get out of bed every day and do anything at all I'm having to navigate an internal battle that they don't see and cannot truly relate to no matter how much I try to explain it.

Thank you so much for making this 🙏🏻

[stk]

I realized I’m an HSP after becoming a mother. Being a highly sensitive parent can be very challenging. I have had to start a regular breathwork practice to regulate my nervous system through my little ones big feelings and tantrums. It’s helped her to see me heal and we are learning to co-regulate together

[brittanywilcox]

I avoid bright artificial lighting but sunlight I enjoy. I was shocked at how much I identify with this list!

[EbbingTowards]

LED and fluorescent lights are the worse. I prefer incandescent lights. Loud noises are a jump scare for me (startle response). Never punk me or something bad might happen. No super scary movies, gore or violence in my media. HSP kinda sucks - I wasn't always like this.

[Gemma]

7/10 mostly worrying what people think about me, not fitting in and always feeling out of place

[heatherlewis]

I'm a highly sensitive person, but I'm not sure if it's related to my autism diagnosis. For me, one benefit of being highly sensitive is that I can really emote when I sing or play a character onstage. It has also helped me to connect with other people sometimes. Even if I feel disregulated, my husband understands and helps me through it.

[KathrynsRavens]

Please do a video on the similarities and differences between HSP and ASD! I know a lot of people who thought they were just HSP but were also Autistic

[japanesegirl_]

I knew I'm different with others since when I was kid but I didn't know what it is. Only 3 years ago I knew about HSP. Sometimes I don't like being HSP but also I started loving and caring about myself more 🍀💚 We're not weak. We were just born as HSP and it's a gift 😊

[SashaBowser]

I feel like this video was made just for me. I actually started laughing and stupidly almost felt ashamed at how much I relate to literally every single sign. My horoscope sign is Cancer and people tell me things like “You’re such a Cancer!!”, but I’m just a hsp and that’s okay! I’ve been rejected from jobs due to being to sensitive and hard on myself. They preferred someone with more confidence and that killed me! Is it so bad that I care as much as I do?! This is a video I’ll definitely replay more than once. Thank you Kati. We’re strangers but I feel like you know exactly how to help me. I appreciate you so much. You make such a huge difference in my life.