what is an hsp?
Born This Way
Highly Sensitive People (HSP) are 20-30% of the population born with a nervous system that's more finely-tuned than those of others.
Deep Processors
HSPs process our experiences, thoughts, and feelings more deeply than do non-HSPs. And because we're processing SO much, we can get overwhelmed more easily.
Empathy+Subtlety
HSPs are gifted empathizers and feel deeply for others. We pick up on subtle changes too, whether someone's facial expression or a shift in the way our body feels.
Could you be a Highly Sensitive Person?
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are born with a nervous system that is more responsive to stimulation than others.
This trait is genetically based; in other words, you were born this way. Researchers refer to it as Sensory Processing Sensitivity.
If you have a highly sensitive nervous system, you may recognize some of these traits:
→ You feel deeply and empathize easily
→ You’re easily overwhelmed by things like big crowds, loud noises, strong smells, or bright lights
→ Your inner life is rich and complex
→ You need alone time when life feels busy or chaotic
→ You go out of your way to avoid overwhelming situations
→ You feel stressed when you have too much to do in too little time
→ You were described as sensitive or shy as a child
This trait is genetically based; in other words, you were born this way. Researchers refer to it as Sensory Processing Sensitivity.
If you have a highly sensitive nervous system, you may recognize some of these traits:
→ You feel deeply and empathize easily
→ You’re easily overwhelmed by things like big crowds, loud noises, strong smells, or bright lights
→ Your inner life is rich and complex
→ You need alone time when life feels busy or chaotic
→ You go out of your way to avoid overwhelming situations
→ You feel stressed when you have too much to do in too little time
→ You were described as sensitive or shy as a child
The Strengths of Highly Sensitive People
Highly Sensitive People also have unique gifts.
Common strengths include empathy, depth, creativity, intuition, and thoughtfulness.
Many HSPs think deeply about the people, ideas, and causes that matter to them. Their intuition often helps them access insights and perspectives others might overlook.
Highly sensitive people tend to care deeply about their relationships, their communities, and the world around them.
Common strengths include empathy, depth, creativity, intuition, and thoughtfulness.
Many HSPs think deeply about the people, ideas, and causes that matter to them. Their intuition often helps them access insights and perspectives others might overlook.
Highly sensitive people tend to care deeply about their relationships, their communities, and the world around them.
The Challenges of being Highly Sensitive
Because HSPs process experiences deeply, life can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Common struggles include:
Without the right support, many highly sensitive people spend years feeling misunderstood or believing something is wrong with them.
Common struggles include:
- absorbing the emotions of others
- low self-esteem or self-doubt
- feeling controlled by intense emotions (or suppressing emotions entirely)
- perfectionism
- overwhelm and fatigue
- empathy overload
- anxiety or chronic worry
- difficulty setting boundaries
- overstimulation
Without the right support, many highly sensitive people spend years feeling misunderstood or believing something is wrong with them.
Sensitivity and Neurodivergence
Many people who identify as highly sensitive also discover they are neurodivergent: for example having ADHD, autistic traits, or another form of deep nervous system sensitivity.
These experiences often overlap. What they share is a nervous system that processes information deeply and responds strongly to the world around it.
When sensitivity isn’t understood or supported, it can lead to anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, and self-doubt.
But when it is understood, sensitivity can become a source of empathy, creativity, insight, and meaningful connection.
These experiences often overlap. What they share is a nervous system that processes information deeply and responds strongly to the world around it.
When sensitivity isn’t understood or supported, it can lead to anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, and self-doubt.
But when it is understood, sensitivity can become a source of empathy, creativity, insight, and meaningful connection.
Coaching for Highly Sensitive People
Most Highly Sensitive People need support to foster their strengths and work through their struggles. With the right tools and by working through stuck points, we can lead rich, joyful lives.
Working with a coach who specializes in highly sensitive nervous systems (and other types of neurodivergence) can make a profound difference when other types of therapy and coaching haven't cut it.
If you're curious about working together, I offer a free 20-minute consultation to explore how I can best support you.
Working with a coach who specializes in highly sensitive nervous systems (and other types of neurodivergence) can make a profound difference when other types of therapy and coaching haven't cut it.
If you're curious about working together, I offer a free 20-minute consultation to explore how I can best support you.
i get it.
15 years ago, I felt exhausted from doubting my own reality.
I first heard the term HSP in college and read the seminal book on the topic. For the first time, someone both named my experience and said there was nothing wrong with me. But the impact of living as a sensitive as an insensitive world was complex. It took many more years before I realized that my way of perceiving and knowing was not only valid but highly valuable.
learn more about brooke →
From a Client
- melissa
"Your presence and support feels like a shelter from the storm for highly sensitive people"
