Being highly sensitive isn't the easiest thing in the world to be. Trust me on this one. I've dealt with many highly sensitive types and each time I find my self dancing around them and/or tiptoeing as to not to upset them, hurt them or make them cry. They have no filters. They try to blend in with all the thick skinned family members and friends, but fail miserably. Going home and being annoyed or sad is a common occurrence. They take many things personally and if when they aren't doing that they feel sadness and pain for the people around them.
Nope, it's not easy being highly sensitive. It's not like they can just wake up one day and declare that this will be the day they stop being so sensitive. It just doesn't work like that. In order to reduce their sensitivity they actually have to work at it and even then the results aren't always guaranteed. And it's not like they signed up to do this dance. Highly sensitive people would much rather not be so darn sensitive. They are subject to hear the words "lighten up" on far too many occasions.
Can they lighten up? Is it just as easy as snapping your fingers and deciding right there and then you are not going to be sensitive anymore? Well not quite but there are a few tips and suggestions for you guys that you may want to try to see if you, in fact, can lighten up.
1. Find the good in everything.
Before you take the situation you are in and decide it is sad, take a minute to see where the good is in it. There is good in everything and you must start seeking it out. As a highly sensitive person you know that negative experiences drain you and have a huge impact on your state of mind. You can't shield your self from all negative but you can recognize it and learn to immediately dump it and then find the positive.
2. Make new friends.
Not just any new friends though. Meet people that are just like you and make friends with them. You will see that you aren't alone in this big bold world and together you can learn new ways to deal with your sensitivity. It's quite possible the new people you meet may even be counsellors or therapists. Reiki masters maybe even. These people can help you on your journey to filtering your sensitivity. If that isn't the case, at the very least, you all understand each other quite well and won't feel like an outcast.
3. Be kind to yourself.
This can be hard to do. For any of us really. We worry about others more than we do ourselves. We spend too much time caring what others will think when it really doesn't matter anyway. Often times, highly sensitive people end up forgetting their needs and bend over backwards to ensure that everyone is happy. If they aren't happy, neither are you. This pattern actually causes more harm than good to you. You need to nurture yourself first and foremost.
4. Don't change for anyone.
You will always be highly sensitive and that is a beautiful quality to have. Yes it can be challenging at times because your heart and soul are so big and often vulnerable to attacks, but always remember you are beautiful just the way you are. Changing isn't something you should do. Controlling your sensitivity or filtering it might be a good way for you to better interact with others but that's not to say it's necessary. By now, you realize that not everyone gets you. That's ok. They don't have to. Just take care of yourself.
5. Not everything can be controlled or fixed nor does it need to be.
We want to rip the Band-Aid off and fix the hurt or pain or repair whatever is broken. Some things are fine just the way they are and you need to remember that. You are not the healer of all healers and you are not God. There will be times when you are going to have to let go of situations and trust. Know that the end result will be ok. Learning to trust is a big thing for any of us and this will take time too. It won't be easy but it's not impossible.
Being highly sensitive is definitely not the worst thing in the world you can be but if you battle with it all the time then these tips may help you filter, even just a little. Are you highly sensitive and if so, how do you handle it?