I’ve been doing this blog for just over a year now. A lot of people check out my “About Me” section, so I thought I would take a deep dive and share a more personal and authentic side of myself. In doing so I hope that I can connect with and help others out there like me. Here’s the true confession. I am a highly sensitive person.

What is a Highly Sensitive Person?

What on earth is a highly sensitive person you may ask? Well, it’s someone with sensory processing sensitivity. Basically someone who has a more sensitive nervous system, takes in more information through their senses and whose brain processes those things more deeply than the majority of people.

As a result we may get more easily overwhelmed, tired or annoyed by things in our environment than others.

How my Life Changed

My life changed a lot just a few short years ago when I discovered through a random Ted Talk I found that I am a Highly Sensitive Person.

Now I of course have always known that I was more sensitive than other people. What I didn’t know was it was a full blown “thing” for lack of a better word.

I was shocked to find out that 15-20% of the population is actually highly sensitive and even more interesting that the same percentages of the animal world is as well.

I’m pretty sure my dog Daisy is highly sensitive too. I recognized her highly sensitive traits and found a kindred spirit in her. This ultimately led me to adopt her. Plus, who could resist that face? 💕

The Research

The term highly sensitive person was first coined by psychologist, Dr. Elaine Aron. In her book, “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You”

In her book she talks about the highly sensitive person’s traits such as:

• High empathy
• Strong appreciation for art, music and nature
• Conscientiousness & attention to detail
• Noticing things that others might miss
• Being easily overwhelmed in chaotic situations
• Feeling frazzled when there is a lot to do in a short period of time
• Bothered by loud noises, strong smells, bright lights or scratchy fabrics

Do any of these things resonate? You might be a highly sensitive person too. Take Dr. Elaine Aron’s free test to find out!

You Are Not Alone!

It was so amazing to actually know that I was not alone in this world and also explained why I often had problems with things that other people didn’t.

Maybe this is what happens when you get towards the middle of your life? I’m now beginning to understand myself so much better.

It’s so wonderful because now I can stop beating myself up and being confused by why I don’t experience things the same way as other people.

I’ve often been labeled by people who don’t know me well as “shy”, “quiet”, “reserved” and even “stuck up” a few times. Things that are not valued by most societies.

As you can imagine this didn’t make me feel too great about myself. It actually hurt me deeply and felt like the stab of a knife each time someone would say these things to me. Can you relate?

Knowledge is Power

This knowledge about the highly sensitive person started to change my mindset. I felt better about myself. I could finally look at the strengths of my personality instead of its weaknesses.

In fact this knowledge changed my whole life! I take care of my body differently, work differently and make time to express my creativity. I also realized I travel differently than other people.

This is why I want to start sharing more about the highly sensitive person and their traits.

If you are highly sensitive I want to help you feel better about yourself too and offer a way to lean into sensitivity and experience life and the world in a more meaningful, fulfilling and amazing way.

Highly sensitive people experience the joys in life more deeply, as well as the sorrows. This explains why I am so moved, even sometimes to tears by hearing heartfelt music, seeing beautiful artwork or experiencing an awe inspiring sunrise or sunset.

I live my life so intensely through my senses. I’m now sorry to learn that everyone doesn’t experience life this way.

I love the feelings of excitement bubbling up like a geyser coming up through my chest when I get to travel to see new places, hear my favorite song come on the radio or spend time with the people that I care about.

Downsides of Being Highly Sensitive

Being highly sensitive has its downsides too. Things seem to bother me that really don’t seem to bother other people. These things don’t even cross their mind.

I feel intense sadness and anger when I see suffering and injustice in this world. I’m moved to tears often when I see people or especially animals experiencing pain. I’ve never understood how some people can just shrug these things off and go about their daily lives.

I guess that’s life though. The yin and the yang, the positive and negative, the ups and the downs. Those things are universal whether you are highly sensitive or not.

Aren’t we are all striving to make the best of things? Live our best lives? Minimize the negative and maximize the positive? Play to our strengths instead of our weaknesses?

A New Direction

So one year later I want to take this blog in a new direction. I noticed that while there is some information out there about highly sensitive people, there is not a lot about travel curated to the Highly Sensitive Person.

Travel can be quite difficult for the highly sensitive person. We don’t thrive traveling the way other people do, BUT if we do it in the way that works for us it can be thrilling, enriching and even life changing.

This occurred to me after talking with my best friend Rene who also discovered that she is a highly sensitive person. I knew we best friends for a reason! We found each other in this crazy, chaotic world and instantly connected because we see the world and experience it in a similar way. Love you friend!! ❤️

Rene invited me on a trip this Fall with her family and friends to go to Paris! We were discussing how we like to travel in a certain way such as not doing too many big activities in a day or taking time throughout our trip to rest and recharge.

It got me thinking that my other highly sensitive friends out there might benefit from the things I’ve learned through trial and error over the last few decades.

Travel for the Highly Sensitive Person

Travel can be sometimes scary, overwhelming and tiring for the highly sensitive person.

It also can bring so much joy, excitement and meaning because we experience the world so intensely. So this year I am going to work on providing tips and travel itineraries catered to my other sensitive souls out there.

Even if you are not a highly sensitive person, my guess is that you know someone out there who is.

I hope this helps you understand that friend, family member or co-worker a little better. Please share this post with them!

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I believe everyone can benefit from savoring life through their senses and it will help everyone travel better too!

Here we go! I can’t wait to connect with all my new highly sensitive friends out there!! Please reach out. I would love to hear from you!