Welcome

I’d been feeling the nudge to re-read Elaine Aron’s The Highly Sensitive Person. I was first introduced to her work several years ago and while the term “highly sensitive person” deeply resonated with me, I was still quite steeped in my quest to conquer the corporate world and quite frankly, just didn’t want to hear that might not be the best path for me (this would later be proven true, multiple times).

I grabbed the book, lit a candle I had recently picked up from America’s favorite religious shrine, Target, sat down and started to read. 

Except I couldn’t. 

The gently crackling of the candle’s wooden wick, a sound I normally love, grated my nerves on this particular day. I blew out the flame, extinguishing its gentle sound, and laughed at the appropriateness of the situation. 

No matter how much I ignore, “heal”, and shadow work on myself, I have never, and will never, be able to get away from the fact that as a highly sensitive person (and soul), I am wired differently. 

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. I know this on a conscious level, but like so many other sensitives, my subconscious, programmed by a society that doesn’t have the patience or inclination to understand how sensitives are built, tells a different story.

The story it tells is one of inconvenience. That my annoyance at sounds, smells, crowds, etc. is “too much”. That in order to achieve my dreams, I will have to “overcome” my need for more rest, more quiet, more sleep, more gentleness and force my way forward in hopes of convincing the myriad of outside authorities we’re taught to obey that I am “working hard” and “putting it all on the line” to see my dreams become my reality. 

Except I know that deeply ingrained mentality will not work for me. It never has, and I cannot help but think that the desire to reread Aron’s book was a signal from my soul to remember who I am and all the lovely gifts that come with being deeply sensitive. 

Because my needs are not an inconvenience. I am not an inconvenience. And neither are you, if you’re reading this knowing that you too, are wired differently. 

Hugs, 

Elena