Creativity and High Sensitivity by Aoife O’Reilly

Guest Article

According to Dr. Aron, author of the groundbreaking book The Highly Sensitive Person, HSPs have nervous systems that are more ‘right-brained,’ meaning that we lean more towards creativity than non-HSPs. Our creative and curious nature defines everything about us – our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We process, analyze and reflect on things that happen, what it means, and the infinite possibilities surrounding whatever we happen to be observing. 

From a very young age, I was a typical HSP. Firstly, I had a very vivid imagination. I kept a diary which was a creative outlet for me to share my observations about school, my friends, and other things happening in my life. Writing, in general, was something I gravitated towards and I enjoyed writing stories for class. I loved playing make-believe games with my friends and I was always the one out of my childhood friends who preferred playing outside to watching television. 

I learned to read at just 2 years of age and I believe my sensitivity was the reason for that. As a child, I was happiest when sitting in my blue armchair reading a book. Fiction has so much to offer the HSP – it’s an amazing opportunity to imagine worlds other than our own and to position ourselves within it for a short while. I read lots of different books as a child but historical fiction was a particular favorite of mine. When I studied history as a teenager, many of the events were already familiar to me from books I read!

Many HSPs – myself included – lose access to our creativity when we’re in stressful situations. We’re no longer attuned to our imaginations. For example, when we are in a job that doesn’t allow our creative and curious nature to shine through, we become stifled and stressed. HSPs have so much to offer the workplace but only if we’re able to be in a work environment that is supportive of what we contribute. It’s important to take the time to think about what you like to do and what you’re good at, and then consider how you can do as much of that as possible in your life. The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, is a great starting point for bringing more creativity into your day. That book was a game-changer for me.

For years I worked in open-plan offices and found it very overstimulating. Phones ringing, people talking and doors opening were just some of the many things that drained me during my day. In that environment, it was harder to access my creativity and think of ideas for blogs or articles. I took Julie’s HSP Business Course when I was considering becoming a freelance copywriter. This course gave me the tools and the confidence to take steps to become self-employed. Creating my own hours, deciding which clients I want to work with, and having full control of the environment I work in are very important to me. 

Our creativity is such an integral part of who we are so it makes sense that we use it as much as we can. I chose to study literature in college so that I could read and write about fiction. I then honed my skills as a copywriter and content manager, so that I could use my writing skills in my job. When we align our creative and curious nature to our jobs, our relationships, and everyday lives, everything takes on a greater meaning and we feel more fulfilled too. What could be better?

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Aoife O’Reilly is a freelance copywriter based in Ireland. Aoife is passionate about helping businesses to communicate clearly and effectively online. She creates engaging and SEO-friendly content that aligns with the needs of her clients. More information about Aoife and the copywriting, editing and proofreading services that she offers can be found at Aoife Writes.

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Julie Bjelland is a Psychotherapist specializing in high sensitivity, host of The HSP Podcast, and Founder of the Sensitive Empowerment Community, whose mission is to create a paradigm shift where sensitivity is embraced, valued, and honored. Julie offers multiple essential resources for educating, inspiring, and empowering HSPs. Register for her free Masterclasses, take the Sensitivity Quiz, and profoundly transform your life in her courses and community. Her HSPs in Business Group is designed to support and empower sensitive people to grow heart-centered businesses, share their voices, and be part of the change the world needs. Her HSP Dating Group is a safe space bringing together conscious, kind, caring sensitive people, offering both hetero and LGBTQ+ HSPs.  ❤️🌈❤️ (she/her)