How My Life Changed When I Discovered I am an HSP

SOULFUL SENSITIVTY BLOG 

I vividly recall the moment when I stumbled upon Elaine N. Aron's "Highly Sensitive Person" book. As I immersed myself in its pages, I had a profound realization, "This is me!" I couldn't contain my excitement, rushing to share this newfound understanding with my husband. His affirmations echoed my own inner revelation, solidifying the truth: I am a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).

It was an epiphany that reshaped my entire worldview. Suddenly, the pieces of my life fell into place. I understood everything - my entire life made sense now. I found solace in the recognition and validation of my sensitivity. No longer did I feel different; instead, I embraced my uniqueness as a cherished gift.

Late to the Discovery:

My journey to self-awareness as an HSP didn't begin until my late thirties. For decades, I navigated life feeling unseen and misunderstood. It's crazy to think that it took me so long to uncover this part of myself. For years, I kind of drifted through life feeling like I was honestly really weird and different, I always knew I never quite fit into the mainstream. Despite my best efforts to blend in, it always felt like something was off, like I was missing the memo on how to navigate the world without feeling constantly overwhelmed.

Embracing My HSP Identity:

Discovering that I am an HSP was like finally finding the missing puzzle piece of my identity. It was a validation that my sensitivity isn't something to hide or be ashamed of—it's an integral part of who I am. Looking back, I realize I've been the epitome of an HSP since childhood.

Growing up, my parents struggled to comprehend why I carried the weight of the world on my shoulders, why I felt everything so deeply, and why I couldn't simply brush things off like other kids. The constant emotional intensity was baffling to them. Movie theaters and concerts became a battleground of sensory overload, and my frequent emotional outbursts often left them at a loss for how to help me.

Without guidance on how to navigate my sensitivity, I internalized the message that being emotional was a weakness. So, I buried my feelings deep inside, put on my mask, and became determined to fit in at any cost. That cost was a lot.  It wasn't until later in life that I began to unravel the layers of conditioning and embrace my sensitivity as a superpower rather than a flaw.

Unlocking My HSP Insight:

Discovering that I am an HSP unveiled a whole new dimension of understanding for me—energy, the universe, and spirituality. Looking back, I realize that my fascination with ghosts, aliens, and the afterlife began at a remarkably young age. I mean, who else spends their allowance on dream interpretation books at eight years old? And let's not forget my extensive roster of imaginary friends; looking back, I can't help but wonder if they were more than just figments of my imagination. They felt so real, like kindred spirits who shared my world across the street in the woods. They were my safe place.  I remember clearly sharing my feelings with them.  It's surreal to reflect on those memories now and realize they were something beyond our tangible reality. I seemed to have a deep connection to the universe, a sense of understanding that transcended the boundaries of the physical world at a very young age. 

Understanding My Past Relationships Through the Lens of HSP:

Discovering that I am an HSP shed light on a pattern that had long puzzled me—my tendency to remain in two deeply narcissistic relationships. Looking back, the signs were always there, glaring at me from the shadows, yet I chose to ignore them time and time again. It's a common tale for HSPs like myself to find themselves entangled with narcissists, drawn in by our innate empathy, which they exploit to their advantage.

While most people would have swiftly exited such toxic dynamics, I found myself trapped in a cycle of hope and disillusionment, convinced that my love and understanding could somehow "fix" them. It was a harsh lesson learned through years of emotional turmoil.

Five years with one narcissist, seven with another—both relationships were marked by abuse and manipulation. To outsiders, it seemed unfathomable that I would endure such mistreatment for so long. Yet, they failed to grasp the depth of my belief in the transformative power of love and empathy.

In truth, I was navigating these relationships without a clear understanding of boundaries or self-love. Love, to me, meant sacrificing my own emotions and needs in service of another—an unsustainable notion that left me broken and depleted.

A Validation of My Emotions and Sensitivities:

Discovering my identity as an HSP was like finally uncovering the key to understanding my lifelong experience of intense emotions and sensitivities. It may quite literally b my biggest AHA moment of my life!

Suddenly, everything fell into place—I wasn't just overly sensitive or emotional; I was highly attuned to the world around me in a way that others don’t understand.

From a young age, I disliked loud noises, avoided crowded spaces, and couldn't stand the sensation of tags on my shirt. I was always on sensory overload that left me feeling overwhelmed and gaining the reputation of the kid who overreacted a lot. To make my life even harder as a child, I possessed an ability to read people's energy, intuitively sensing their emotions and intentions.  I didn't understand it, and it took me a very long time to comprehend this ability.  

Despite being outgoing and often mistaken for an extrovert, I grappled with the paradox of being both energized by social interactions and drained by the demands of "people-ing." It's a delicate balancing act—I thrive on connection and companionship, yet I require ample downtime to recharge my batteries. I couldn't grasp why I constantly felt drained after socializing, yet I pushed myself to the breaking point, striving to keep up with the demands of fitting in.

Finally understanding my quirks and preferences weren’t weird or strange, it affirmed that there's a valid reason behind them. As an HSP, my sensitivity isn't a weakness to be masked or overcome; it's an integral part of who I am, deserving of acknowledgement and understanding.

Unveiling the Power of Reading Energy

Realizing that I am an HSP provided clarity on how I possess the ability to read the energy of a room or an individual. Reading people has always been a skill of mine. I vividly recall a moment from before I understood my HSP nature when I first met my husband. He had a real estate team, and the head of his operations gave me this feeling that set off alarm bells in my mind. I immediately sensed that she would bring him harm. Despite my warnings, he hesitated, citing her loyalty and long tenure. However, my intuition proved accurate when, years later, it was revealed that she had been embezzling money from him for an extended period. These instinctual gut feelings have been a constant in my life, but prior to understanding my HSP identity, I lacked comprehension of how or why they occurred.

For the longest time, I brushed aside these feelings, especially in my relationships with men and friendships. Deep down, I sensed they weren't right for me, but I dismissed it, convincing myself I was just imagining things. If only I had trusted that gut feeling, I would've spared myself a lot of heartache and pain. Now, with a newfound understanding and acceptance of my HSP traits, I've learned never to ignore that inner voice. It's there for a reason, whispering to guide me along the right path.

Embracing Self-Care

Learning that I am an HSP shed light on why intense jobs didn't align with my soul. For years, I struggled with what felt like excessive anxiety and stress, convinced that I would never find relief. As an HSP, I easily become overwhelmed and tend to overthink everything, making decisions a daunting task, including leaving my corporate role.  

I worked in corporate education and I'll never forget the moment I left.  A sales rep I worked closely with bluntly remarked, "You're leaving because you're stressed, but it won't change anything. You'll always be stressed—it's just who you are." His words hit me hard, bringing tears to my eyes because deep down, I knew he was right. I had been living as a highly intense, stressed-out individual, remaining in fight/flight and survival mode. Despite working for a great company with supportive colleagues, the pressure became unbearable.  

I believed that changing jobs would alleviate my anxiety and stress, yet I found myself overwhelmed once again in my new role (with the whispers of the sales rep in my ear). It was as if I was trapped in a world where I didn't belong. I realized (without even knowing that I am an HSP) that nothing would change if I remained in the corporate life. Now, I understand clearly why I struggled so much in the corporate world.  I didn't belong in an extreme schedule (on a plane and in a hotel every week) and in an intense role.  I needed something that spoke to my soul and felt more aligned.  Years later I am now in that role and it feels 100% aligned with my soul's journey as an HSP Coach. Corporate life taught me so much, and if I had never experienced it I would not know what I truly needed.  

Discovering that I am an HSP brought clarity to every aspect of my life!

For years, I struggled with feeling like something was inherently wrong with me. The constant barrage of comments—too sensitive, need to toughen up, why do you care so much?—echoed in my mind. It seemed like everyone had an opinion on how I should navigate the world, leaving me feeling like an outsider drowning in empathy and sensitivity.

But you know what? Those qualities that made me feel different are actually my greatest strengths. I am unique, different, and unapologetically so. Instead of fighting against my HSP traits, I've learned to embrace them with compassion and love. Now, I set realistic boundaries to protect my energy and confidently say no when needed.

I truly believe HSPs are here to change the world with their boundless love, empathy, and compassion. We are old souls with unique gifts, destined to make a profound impact on the lives of others. 

So, let's stop seeing our sensitivities as a curse, stop comparing ourselves to those who aren't HSPs, and stop suppressing our gifts.

When we fully embrace who we are as HSPs, when we let our light shine without reservation, everything in our world shifts. It all begins to make sense, and we find ourselves walking in alignment with our soul's purpose. So, let's shine brightly as HSPs and watch as our world transforms in the most beautiful ways, leading us to our soul's life plan.

Hello and welcome to the Soulful Sensitivity Blog!

A blog for highly sensitive women, where you'll find connection, support, and strategies to not only navigate but thrive in a world that often can feel overwhelming for HSPs. Let's embrace our uniqueness together!

My name is Ginger Ready and I am the founder and CEO of Mind-Body-Soul Coaching. I help highly sensitive women embrace their true self and empower them to thrive so that they can live authentically, finding balance, purpose, and inner peace.

As someone who's an HSP and Empath, I've been through the struggle of feeling out of place in this chaotic world, but I've come to see that our differences are what make us extraordinary. My sensitivities aren't a weakness; they're my superpower. I'm on a mission to support highly sensitive women like us in embracing who we are fully!

I am grateful you are here! 

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Sending you so much love, joy, and beautiful energy into your life today and always!

Disclaimer:  I am not a therapist or psychologist, I am a certified professional energy coach.