Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP): A Personal and Professional Perspective

A blog written from a highly sensitive person

For a long time, I thought there was something wrong with me.

I felt things deeply, and I mean DEEPLY. A change in someone’s tone could make my chest tighten. Constructive feedback felt like a personal failure. Loud environments left me drained. And when I didn’t have time to rest or reset, my whole body would start to shut down. I couldn’t explain why these things affected me so much more than they seemed to affect others. It wasn’t until I discovered the term “Highly Sensitive Person” (HSP) that everything started to make sense.

Today, I not only understand this part of myself, I embrace it. And I help others do the same through my work at Stone to Bloom Counselling.

What Is a Highly Sensitive Person?

Being a Highly Sensitive Person is not a mental health diagnosis. It’s a personality trait identified by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron. Around 15 to 20 percent of people have this trait, which means they process information and experiences more deeply due to a more responsive nervous system.

HSPs tend to be:

• Deeply affected by others' emotions and moods

• Sensitive to sensory input like bright lights, loud noises, or busy environments

• Highly attuned to subtle cues such as tone of voice or facial expressions

• Emotionally intense and deeply empathetic

• Prone to overwhelm and burnout if they don’t get time to recharge

• Very strong intuition/gut feeling about situations, people

This trait also means that interactions and experiences that seem “normal” to others can feel a lot more intense for an HSP.

My Personal Experience as an HSP

Before I understood this trait, I often felt like I was being too sensitive or overly emotional. It led me to question myself and shrink away from situations where I feared judgment or criticism. Any time I went against my intuition or gut feeling, I would find myself in unfavourable situations. My intuition to this day guides most of the decisions that I make.

Tone and Criticism: One of the hardest things for me was how tone impacted me. Even when someone was giving me feedback with good intentions, if their tone was sharp or impatient, I immediately felt it in my body. My stomach would drop. My throat would tighten. It was as if my nervous system had been hit. I didn’t just hear the words, I felt them. And the feeling stayed with me for a long time.

Even gentle suggestions sometimes made me feel stupid. It wasn’t rational, but it connected directly to an old core belief I carried, that I wasn’t good enough. That I was failing in ways others could clearly see.

Overstimulation and Burnout: Busy environments, back-to-back appointments, or too much social interaction without downtime left me completely overstimulated. My mind would feel foggy. I’d get headaches. Even making small decisions felt impossible. For a long time, I didn’t understand what was happening. I just pushed through it like everyone else seemed to. But eventually, I realized that I needed more rest than others, not because I was weak, but because my nervous system processes more information and needs more recovery time.

Understanding this has changed my life. I now build in regular breaks, listen to my body, and give myself permission to say no when I need to.

How Sensitivity Affects Relationships

Being highly sensitive doesn’t just affect how we feel inside. It deeply impacts how we relate to others.

When an HSP isn’t aware of their sensitivity, or when their partner or loved ones don’t understand it, it can lead to:

• Misunderstandings around tone and intent

• Avoidance of conflict, even when something really needs to be said

• Overwhelm from constant emotional processing

• Feelings of not being heard, valued, or safe in the relationship

It’s easy for an HSP to feel like they’re “too much,” and for their partner to feel like they’re “walking on eggshells.” But it doesn’t have to be that way. With awareness, compassion, and the right tools, sensitivity can actually deepen connection and bring richness to relationships.

How Stone to Bloom Counselling Can Support You

At Stone to Bloom Counselling, I work with individuals and couples to help them understand what it means to be highly sensitive and how to navigate life with more ease and clarity.

Here’s how I can help:

Education: Understanding that you’re an HSP is powerful. I help you explore what this trait means for you personally, and how it might be affecting your emotions, stress levels, and relationships.

Communication Tools: Together, we’ll work on ways to express your needs clearly and assertively, especially around tone, timing, and emotional responses. We also explore how to receive feedback without it triggering shame or self-doubt.

Relationship Support: Whether you’re in a romantic relationship, a friendship, or navigating family dynamics, I help you and your loved ones understand each other more deeply. When both people have the tools to communicate and connect with empathy, relationships can thrive.

Support for the Nervous System: We’ll also look at ways to care for your body and nervous system. This might include creating space for rest, setting boundaries, and finding practices that ground and soothe you when life feels too loud.

You Are Not Too Sensitive — You’re Deeply In Tune

If you’ve been told you’re too sensitive, too emotional, or too intense, I want you to know: you’re not broken. You just experience the world more vividly. That’s a strength, but only when it’s understood and supported.

If my story resonates with you, I would be honoured to support you on your journey. At Stone to Bloom Counselling, you’ll find a space where your sensitivity is welcomed, not judged. Where you can explore your patterns, understand your reactions, and build a life that feels safe and sustainable for your unique nervous system.

Let’s walk this path together.

Reach out today and take the first step toward turning sensitivity into strength.

From stone to bloom, we’re with you every step of the way.

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