How Do We Navigate the World as a Sensitive Person
I recently had the wonderful gift of running into an old client of mine who was sharing this very question with some wonderful insights. It was a gift to pause and reflect on a topic that is near and dear to my heart as a sensitive person myself.
Sensitivity is oftentimes a frowned upon trait. We've grown up with words or phrases like "you're too sensitive" or "just pull it together." These are ways that our internal knowing is countered by our external experience.
In these examples we're told that actually what we know to be true isn't right. But how could what we know to be true not be right? We all have the given gift of connecting to our own deep inner knowing inside- and each of us is unique.
And this includes that some of us have the blessing of being more sensitive to our environments. This might include being overstimulated easily by excessive noise or clutter, having a “sixth” sense when entering into public places or social atmospheres, or even being sensitive to certain light or fabrics or foods.
From little and big ways of feeling a more acute awareness of the complexities of this world, sensitivities can run the gamut.
But what we do with this and how we honor our needs and knowing in a world that often runs on overdrive without making space for sensitivity is our job.
In my experience, the first doorway is to be in harmony with ourselves. We have to first-
1) Honor what we know. Honor our own intuition. Honor and trust that what we're feeling and sensing is true. This means really listening—truly listening to ourselves, our hearts, our minds. But mostly to our bodies. What is your body telling you? Can you be honest first with yourself about what you are noticing without belittling your internal knowing.
This is one of the many things that Breathwork can help us gain access to- our bodies wisdom so we can remember our “knowing.”
The second doorway to create more stability for ourselves in this world is to-
2) Practice clearing techniques. For some this might mean going out in nature to allow the Earth to transmute stuck places, and let the elements purify extra tension that you might be holding. The natural world also provides a re-balance of the nervous system. The key is to get outside and LET GO and receive this clearing.
Other effective strategies are to be sure to drink lots of water, connect to the elements each day whether through bathing/showering or lighting a candle and to BREATHE as well as to practice listening to higher frequency music or taking time to be in environments with soft lightening to replenish your vital life force.
The third doorway is-
3) Taking alone time. Really truly being with yourself, your breath, and with your own thoughts. As Henry David Thoreou once commented about- the greatest gift we can give ourselves is time to just think and be. This is nourishing for those with more sensitivities as it can help us attune with our own frequencies and create a greater sense of inner healthy boundaries from the world around us.
But most of all, above all else, I think the most important thing we can do is to-
4) Stand up tall and know we’re not alone. There are many many people who can feel, see and sense extraordinary things. Some might actually see colors or auric fields and feel different emotions of others, including the planet. This is remarkable and should be celebrated. We are incredible beings on this planet!
So- honoring ourselves, honoring our gifts- and remembering, as this wise client shared with me- it could be possible that there is a percentage of people in this world that are like the pulse takers of how humanity is doing in any given moment and serve as the re-balancers when we go off balance.
Which could mean that taking time to re-balance YOURSELF as a sensitive being could have more lasting and expanding benefits than you can even imagine.
Many gifts to explore. Many ways to be sensitive and stand proud. And many ways to take care of ourselves in this world.
Including setting boundaries- for YOU.
Breath continues to help us help us embolden ourselves to BE who we truly are- AND to open us up to the incredible joyful complexity of what it means to be alive today. For this, and for you- I am deeply deeply grateful. Thank you for reading!