Are You Highly Sensitive? Here’s What That Really Means
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises, or the emotions of those around you? You might be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). This isn’t a weakness—it’s a unique trait that shapes how you experience the world. In this series (adapted from the weekly newsletter), I’ll share what being an HSP really means, how to recognize it in yourself, and why your sensitivity is a strength. 💛🌿
High Sensitivity as a Personality Trait
You may have heard the term Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) in passing, or perhaps someone has told you that you’re “too sensitive” or “too emotional.” If you’ve ever felt deeply attuned to your surroundings, overwhelmed by loud noises or bright lights, or moved by beauty in ways others don’t seem to understand, you might be an HSP.
The Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) trait was first studied by Dr. Elaine Aron in the 1990s, and it describes individuals with a heightened sensitivity to sensory, emotional, and social stimuli. Roughly 20% of the population has this trait, meaning we process information more deeply, feel emotions intensely, and are more affected by stress and overstimulation.
The Four Core Traits of HSPs (DOES)
Dr. Aron outlines four key characteristics of HSPs:
Depth of processing – You reflect deeply before making decisions and often notice subtleties others miss.
Overstimulation – Busy environments, loud spaces, or too many tasks at once can leave you drained.
Emotional reactivity – You feel things intensely, both highs and lows.
Subtle sensing – You pick up on small details, from shifts in someone’s mood to changes in the weather.
These traits can be both a gift and a challenge, especially in a world that often values productivity over presence and resilience over rest. But high sensitivity is an evolutionary advantage: HSPs are often the deep thinkers, visionaries, and intuitive healers of their communities.
Is This You?
If you relate to these traits, you might be an HSP. You can take Dr. Aron’s HSP self-test to explore further.
For now, here are some other interesting things about being an HSP that may resonate with your experience:
70% of HSP are reported to be introverts - perhaps due to the sensory and cognitive overwhelm that can accompany social interactions.
Those who consider themselves an HSP may also identify with being an empath, creative, intuitive, or neurodivergent person with sensory processing sensitivity.
The HSP construct has been found to overlap with female, AFAB (assigned female at birth), and masked autistic experience.
High sensitivity traits are a scientifically studied phenomenon in human and animal populations, present across genders and observed at higher frequencies in individuals socialized as female.
Click on the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) tag below this article to read more on the strengths of being an HSP, the challenges we face, and how to care for ourselves in a way that honors our sensitivity.
