Being a highly sensitive person can be extremely painful, but also extremely beautiful.
It doesn’t make you mentally ill or awkward, you’re just different. But you might indeed be more prone to anxiety issues, depression, etc.
People with BPD are usually HSP too, but the reverse is not true. There are some differences between the two of them.
Back to the bright side
As far as my experience goes, I can see the main benefits in having a great sense of intuition (listening to it is a completely different story), empathy, self-criticism (yes, this is indeed a good thing, for those who aren’t overdoing it) and increased creativity.
Feel free to share your thoughts about the dark sides as well.
But try to focus on the bright side, because it might help you to keep yourself up a little.
Further reading:
– 14 advantages of being highly sensitive
– Benefits of Being Highly Sensitive for Love Relationships
– Feeling Intensely: The Wounds of Being “Too Much”
being better attuned to others and their feelings, as well as having empathy for them would definitely be a positive
I found out about 2 years ago that I was an HSP. It was like a light bulb going off, which continues to this day. Being an HSP comes with difficulty, as you mention, however, the upside is tremendous. As I’ve gotten in touch with and learned more about my own sensitivities, I’ve become very comfortable in my HSP’ness, and would not change it for the world. Thanks for blogging about HSP’s. 🙂
You’re welcome. 🙂 I wouldn’t change it either, even though it can be pretty rough. It’s great when you finally acknowledge all the benefits.
I am a highly sensitive person. sometimes, I hate that I am. it can be so painful.c
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Indeed.
Haha! That’s funny, I just commented on your sense of intuition. I like this post too, and agree— it really can be as beautiful as it can be painful! I’m going to watch the talk :).
Checking in this morning to send Sunday blessings your way. Have a great day. Being sensitive takes balance to avoid misunderstanding.
Thank you Oneta. I didn’t see your comment earlier somehow, sorry for late reply. Great day too you too.
I am a HSP who was horribly abused growing up, and as I found out that my particular sensitivities really made all of the damage so much worse, I felt initially that it was such a curse. But over time, and with oodles of therapy, I have started to see it as a gift as I forgive and develop compassion. Being HSP can be a tremendous challenge but I wouldn’t change it now.
Sorry to hear about the first part. I can really relate to your whole story. It is a challenge indeed, but it has some great benefits too 🙂 thankfully.
I love your site 🙂 But I am focussing on the dark side, can’t help it. Do you know (I bet you do), what is best about BPD? The contrast. Seeing only black and white is awesome. Knowing that there are shades of grey helps, enlightens. But yet being able to perceive what others lose in their iconoclasm of colors is just outstanding. And I can’t say it often enough: we depressed people actually DO think twice 🙂
It’s interesting to look for these people in sports, too. Some of the best sportspeople seem to be highly sensitive/intuitive. E.g. Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams.
Oh and Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.