A few weeks ago my beautiful, sweet friends of The Girls With Glasses, Summer Bellessa and Brooke White, asked me to talk about what it means to be an HSP. To be honest, I didn’t know the term HSP existed until about six months ago. However, when I looked into it, it all made sense. I had a real "aha" moment. So, what is HSP? And what does it mean to be an HSP?HSP is short for Highly Sensitive Person. Around 20% of the population (yes, you may very well be one too!), are typically extremely sensitive to their surroundings, can quickly become overwhelmed, are detail-oriented and hyper-aware in their day-to-day lives. (Insert blonde-girl-raising-her-hand emoji to all of those things!)
Scroll down for my experience as an HSP♡
"Being a highly sensitive person, I easily become overwhelmed with loud noises or large crowds, am often filled with anxiety and worry, tend to emotionally lead a yo-yo life of highs and lows and attach a lot of effort, thought and emotion (sometimes too much) to even the smallest of tasks and situations. All of this combined can be mentally taxing and draining. However, on the flip side, and as I’ve learned over time, being a highly sensitive person can be beautiful. I may overthink and over-analyze, but it’s because I am passionate, care deeply about others and want them to feel heard. I quickly pick up on emotions, and because of this, I tend to understand, connect and empathize with others easily. I may be hyper-aware of my surroundings, like loud sounds and bright lights, but I also notice (and relish in!) beautiful detail, like flowers growing in cracks or hidden shadows and beams of sunlight. I may feel deep sadness easily as well…but it makes my joy that much more beautiful and raw. For quite some time, I'd noticed there was a part of me that was very sensitive and in-tune with the world. I always felt ”different” (and not in a cool “ I’m so different!” kind of way. In an “I’m so lonely, why do I feel so…slightly different?” kind of way.). Understanding what it means to be an HSP and knowing that around 20% of the population identifies as HSP as well has opened a new door for me in understanding who I am. My sensitivity to the world is not weird or entirely cumbersome, but rather, it is quite possibly what I love most about myself. It’s tiring, but boy does it make for a rich, hearty, beautiful life."
Thank you for reading this post! I hope that if you identify as HSP, you'll feel understood, inspired and more comfortable with who you are. I know it's helped me.♡
P.S. Head over to the article on TGWG to purchase this T and to find out more about how I first met Summer! (hint: Many, many years ago!)