Highly Sensitive Positive Traits + Most Difficult Challenges by Jade Eeles

Guest article by Jade Eeles

Favorite Highly Sensitive Positive Traits of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) 

Here is a sample of the top responses from a recent poll of highly sensitive people (HSPs) and members of the Sensitive Empowerment Community: 

• Creative/creativity understanding it, and when it is flowing, high levels of creativity 

• Empathy/Empathic 

• Compassion

• Intuitive/conscious awareness, ‘6th sense’

• Vision/envisioning opportunities, possibilities for ourselves + others

• Deep feelers

• Good Listeners

• Deep thinking & thoughtful

• Noticing + seeing beauty in many things in the world, nature, & surroundings 

• Integrity 

• Friendliness

• Loving deeply 

• Zest & passion for life experiences 

• Sensory pleasures with scents, incense, candles, aromatherapy, taste/foods/drink, feel-good textures/fabrics 

• Attention to detail

• Ability to pick up others’ energy 

• Love of connection (including people/relationships)

• Aware of subtleties in the environmental surroundings, people, sensory awarenesses, and more information that others miss 

• Sensory recall

• Emotional sensitivity + development ~ emotionally sensitive + intelligent (EQ)

• I know things,  learning to trust in my knowing 

• Connection with nature + animals 

• Noticing details in nature 

• Joy being in nature brings

• Appreciate that I pick up on subtleties, being in tune to other people’s needs

• Tuned in to people, easy to find detail to connect on + harmony in a group

• Reasonable + objective communication seeing situations clearly for what they are 

• Seeing all sides of things I like that I’ve considered every option and possibility 

• Quiet + caring

 Sensitive Empowerment Community (SEC) Highlights

• Happy with, and the need for alone time ~ process, rest, reduce overwhelm 

• Differences in self-care + individual needs for healthy balance and wellness (HSP way)

• In addition to the SEC ~ Helpful tools, training + courses to support HSPs to thrive, reduce anxiety, overwhelm + more.

The Most Difficult Challenges of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) 

Here is a sample of the top responses from a recent poll of highly sensitive people/HSPs + members of the Sensitive Empowerment Community: 

• Overwhelm (sensory, energetic overload)

• Self-blame + shame 

• Intense feelings

• Multitasking, being rushed + watched 

• Decision making

• Tension + tightness throughout my body 

• Overstimulation from too many busy thoughts, worries from being nervous

• Feeling more hurt, than joy

• Feeling fragile sometimes, need lots of downtime and space to reflect 

• A high volume of uncomfortable physical sensations (balance/swing of under + overstimulation) 

• External noise, chaos, light, other’s emotions, cities, shared spaces 

• Not letting go of the behavior of others that are less compassionate

• Suppressing feelings

• Being/feeling misunderstood, assuming I will be misunderstood 

• Too empathetic, in tune with the pain and feelings of others (I get overwhelmed by it)

• People pleasing

• Lack of self-love 

• Maintaining boundaries 

• See + feel pain and suffering in the world 

• Self-compassion 

• Perfectionism, self-criticism 

• Overthinking 

• Withdraw, pace, or push ourselves + our energy levels 

• The world is less supportive/not designed for the SPS trait + HSPs

• Finding a sustainable good fit, and getting it right as an HSP + at the highest end of the sensitivity scale in schooling, education/training, job/careers/workplaces

• Anxiety (10%+), anxiety + depression (80%+), including overwhelm from anxiety/caused by overwhelm 

• Susceptibility to issues in general health, mental health + chronic illness (E.g. fibromyalgia, autoimmunity, digestion, burnout, sleep issues, anxiety, depression, major depression) 

 SEC Highlights

• It’s a package deal, highly sensitive positive traits + challenges as an HSP

• Self-care, self-compassion, honoring our needs, pace/protecting our energy for balance, wellness, and burnout prevention

• In addition to the SEC ~ Helpful tools, training, resources + courses to support HSPs to thrive, advocate, grow, be empowered, and bloom to their highest potential + more

Jade Eeles 

Sensitive Empowerment Community Member + Ambassador 

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