How To Embrace Your Sensitive Nature

In the world we live in, being highly sensitive can be confusing, scary, painful and sometimes even shameful. It may feel like we don't belong or that something is wrong with us, when it is actually quite the opposite. Being sensitive is a gift that we must simply learn to harness and utilize. The world does not have to be cold and harsh, you are allowed to be a deeply caring and loving human without suffering for it! It is your power, your own unique gift, dare to learn how to nurture it.

''Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.''

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

To begin with, you need to accept your sensitive nature and accept there is no escape. It is who you are and that is okay, that is great. Recognize that you may work differently then others and that it does not mean that anything is wrong with you or that it makes you a weird person. Understand that you heightened sensitivity will make you experience this world differently, more deeply and empathetically. It is a natural trait of yours and therefore part of you.

Now that you know that it is a deep part of your being, it is time for you to understand it. Understanding yourself is one of the most powerful act of self-love you could do for your sensitive self, it will help you navigate the world with a more grounded approach and a dash of rationality. Educate yourself and do not be afraid of curiosity, learn the characteristics of highly sensitive people and how it affects them. Learn about your flaws but also your advantages, learn about some things that help you and what doesn't. You can also dive into the scientific side of it all and research some articles explaining the nature of sensitivity. Not only will you explore and understand this side of you even more, but it will also validate your experiences!

Be gentle with yourself through this process and practice a lot of self-compassion. As a highly sensitive person, it is okay if you have a more difficult time to process what is happening around you. It is okay to be the way you are, be kind to yourself and recognize that you may need more adjustments than others. You deserve to feel comfortable, happy and at peace in this world, you deserve to flow at your own rythm and experience things differently.

This is why it is crucial for you to learn how to set clear and fair boundaries, it is important to respect yourself and do not risk burn out or other negative symptoms. Protect your well-being and your energy by saying no to certain events, environments or people. Prioritize respecting your limits and do not hesitate to share them with your loved ones so they can also respect or adapt to these limitations. Sometimes, highly sensitive people can get overwhelmed or drained more than others, prioritize taking care of self and listening to your own needs. Remember to also experience new things, even if you are very sensitive you should still be open to opportunities and not hide yourself in a cocoon of solitude. The true beauty and peace resides in balance, it may take some time to find what works for you but with some effort and experience you will get there!

In case of a moment where you do end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, it is crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms to help you in these more challenging times. Identify what helps you to calm down and come back to yourself and practice these strategies to see what works best. This could include breath work, meditation, exercising, mindfulness, grounding practices or creative work to overcome the stimuli and strong feelings you may be burdened with. Experiment and remember to not shame yourself when it is time to rest and use these coping skills. It is always better to treat what is affecting you negatively then to ignore it and allow it to get worst!

However, before getting to the point of feeling overwhelmed and completely surpassed, there is a very useful skill you can learn to help you avoid this state; self-awareness. Practice looking within and checking in with yourself, be honest with your feelings and your energy level. In what state are you right now? It can also help you to drop into your body and notice if there is any early tension indicating that you should prioritize rest and relaxation. Notice what kind of environments, situations and people bring different feelings and analyze the reason why. Is it the noise, the amount of people, the vibration, the atmosphere or the location? With time, it will be easier to avoid these extreme states of distress and avoid you a lot of energy.

Ultimately, you do not have to go through this alone. You can always search for help, whether it is professional or simply from your loved ones or even from communities of fellow sensitive beings. You can share your challenges, your experiences, thoughts and even triumphs with others and share this deep experience of being sensitive. Know that you have strengths and your perspective is valued. Celebrate this precious emotional insight with people who genuinely support you and be proud of it! Do not be afraid to express yourself and be truly authentic, it may just inspire the world and others to be a bit more sensitive as well! Remember how great you are and keep being your beautiful, deeply empathetic self. Step into your life with all of your sensitive nature, open your heart to the beauty of the world and remember to feel it.

Much love and many blessings.