The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron

How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

As a compassionate person, I learned how to cope and even thrive.










Do you stay away from parties? 


When you leave an event, do you feel compelled to stay because you know it may hurt the feelings of others?


Do you feel anxious when others observe you performing tasks you excel at?


Do you have the power to generate fantastic ideas that leave people in awe? 


You are likely a compassionate individual.


You are not timid, as is widely assumed. Not only that, but you're no spoiler. Simply put, you have an incredible ability to detect details that others cannot perceive. Instead of being anxious about this trait, learning to control and use your superpower will benefit you and those around you.


This simple description will show you just how to do it.



1. Evidence that you are a compassionate person


Get to know Rob and Rebecca. They are not identical twins but rather fraternal ones.


When twins reach the age of three, they are regarded as big brothers and sisters. As a result, a caring couple agrees to look after the twins for a few days before the new baby arrives.


Rob is so terrified that he screams when he walks into his parents' room and discovers strangers there. Rebecca entered, welcomed everyone, and smiled as she exited the room.


Rob is neither timid nor frightened. In other words, he can see, smell, and hear things Rebecca cannot.


He inherited a susceptible nervous system. Most of the events throughout his childhood will be forgotten as he grows older, but his body and subconscious will never forget them.


He is going to spend more time digesting the events. His dreams will be vivid and highly relevant to current events. His dreams will likely correctly predict what happens in the future.


If you recognize yourself in that description, you are among the twenty percent of people with Rob's ability.


Rob's reaction to seeing others sleeping in his parents' bed was not necessarily terroristic. All of the information seemed overwhelming. However, he was merely overly aroused.


Susceptible persons, sometimes known as HSPs, frequently complain about bar music volume. They may detect a grimace, indicating that a colleague's wife despises Christmas parties. When they examine how a florist arranges flowers, they can generate a judgment about the person. 


These oblique cues may have several substantial advantages. If you are an HSP, they can help you enjoy good sensory experiences like sex, work, music, and laughter.


Balance is something you keep an eye on. Everyone has their own optimal level of arousal. If you overcome this barrier, you may experience discomfort and, in the most severe cases, paralysis or panic.


Everyone has a sensory threshold. Susceptible persons have reduced tolerance for loud noises, such as honking cars or crowds. This is the distinction between the two groups. Some of them may only be able to manage small groups temporarily.


Exposure and intensity are essential. HSPs must recharge once they reach the red line.



2. Making use of your compassionate personality to achieve your objectives.


A reclusive person decided to withdraw from the outside world. He meditated in a cave, utterly alone. On the other hand, the sound of water trickling in his sanctuary became intolerably loud. He was happier outside the cave than inside it.


The conclusion is that if you are an HSP, you will need a certain level of adaptability to identify, evaluate, and gradually enhance your ability to control stimulation.


Being patient with oneself is the first step in the process. Your mind and body should be treated as you would your younger self. It is critical to get adequate sleep, eat well, exercise, and find a familiar location where you can always go if you need to feel protected.


This sense of security may manifest as profound and meaningful interactions with those who share your interest in service, art, or spirituality.


Second, be aware that external pressure will cause your body to revolt. Consider pursuing the path that will get you closer to greater independence in areas like work. Conversely, you can continue to hone the abilities that will eventually allow you to realize your freedom while working for others.


If you do well and speak with your boss about what works best for you, you will be more accessible.


Maintain an acute awareness of sudden bursts of creative inspiration. Your intuition gives you foresight, allowing you to analyze and foresee in ways the ordinary person cannot understand. However, to see projects through to completion, you must understand how to prioritize. 


You will also encounter performance-related concerns. Remembering that this is due to something other than your lack of confidence or expertise is critical. In reality, approximately 30% of susceptible people are extroverts, but they nonetheless experience overarousal.


To fight performance anxiety, devote part of your time to preparation and carry notes to meetings or presentations to help you concentrate better.


It's crucial to remember that, like everyone else, you need a social life. To put it simply, you need it in various quantities. Your significant other and friends must understand why you need a break, but you should also try to stay out for extended amounts of time on occasion. These behaviors will not only make them happy but also boost your arousal level.


Raising a sensitive child? Ensure that they are securely attached. Provide them with essential safety while building the confidence to try new things.


Meditation is an effective way to soothe HSPs. Meditation, in addition to its healing powers, can transform painful past experiences into beneficial ones.


You became flustered the first time you presented a work presentation. Recall the occurrence and how you dealt with it afterward. Did you feel humiliation, fury, or embarrassment?


Allow yourself to have that feeling. You should not oppose your body's communication through tears, anger, or laughter.


As an HSP, how can you make it work better the next time? Make a decision to go ahead with that action. Your determination will be boosted even more if you write it down.


As an HSP, you will thrive if you are kind to yourself, manage stimuli, plan ahead of time, communicate effectively, and practice meditation.



Concluding remarks


People with high sensitivity inherit more acute nerve systems than the ordinary person from their parents. This causes individuals to receive, perceive, hear, integrate, and analyze more information from their surroundings.


When exposed to a high stimulus level, it is critical to examine how your mind and body perform. It is essential to be friends with yourself and work toward greater autonomy in all aspects of your life. Remember to establish meaningful relationships, spend time outside playing, and remember that your superpower can benefit the world.

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