Here’s To All The Sensitive Types

Fear itself made her daring.

~ Ovid

As far back as I can remember I have not been a fan of large crowds. When I was younger I tended to have a few close friends and steered away from being in large group settings. But in high school, I went go outside my comfort zone and tried out for the cheerleading squad. But this was somehow different. I was in front of people that I didn’t really see. The crowds were just a blur while I was having fun with my friends being a goofy kid!

Flash forward through the years and I am seeing a pattern of avoidance. Avoiding large group situations (when possible) because they overstimulated me to the point that I wasn’t able to relax and enjoy myself. My husband has been very supportive over the years and has told me that I am just fine in these situations but deep down I don’t really feel fine.

For anyone who can relate, I am happy to say that I have discovered recently that they actually have a scientific term for us sensitive types: Sensory Processing Sensitivity. According to Angel Chernoff “Dr. Elaine Aron, a psychotherapist and researcher, estimates that 15-20% of people have nervous systems that process stimuli intensely. They think deeply. They feel deeply (physically and emotionally). They easily become over-stimulated.” (Source: www.marcandangel.com).

Successful sensitive types need to respect that their nervous systems are wired differently from 80-85% of people. Some pretty awesome people in American history share this same personality trait, such as Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, and Steve Jobs. It shows that though we might be considered by society as being “oversensitive” we can and should appreciate these intense emotions because we too, can do great things! I don’t think it is a matter of ignoring this part of ourselves – it is more about understanding and accepting this rather unique quality.

Last week I was at a pool party with two moms from school and somehow we got on this subject of being sensitive to our surroundings. It was so refreshing to hear them both describe how they too feel overly sensitive in certain situations and feel slights (real or perceived) more intensely than others might. I left that afternoon feeling like I had met some of my people. You know, that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when someone just gets you and accepts all that you are.

I really recommend reading Angel Chernoff’s post called “10 Life Changing Tips for Highly Sensitive People.” She provides some really wonderful tips on how to move through a society that tends to encourage a “buck up” attitude that doesn’t really embrace sensitive types. More often than not, it is implied that these sensitivities are considered weak. I say that it sensitive types that can do great things since we feel so much and tend to be overly empathetic towards our fellow man. We tend to go that extra mile for those we care for and love and society needs these types of individuals.

Remember to be your true authentic self and embrace these qualities!