No two people are exactly alike, and sensitivity — be it emotional or physical — is just one of the ways we can differ. Highly sensitive people feel emotions and sensations deeply and intensely — these sensitive souls may be more prone to cry at a movie or a beautiful vista; they may feel hurt or overwhelmed more easily, but are also quick to empathize with others and understand their feelings.
To the highly sensitive among us, this will sound very familiar. But the topic of sensitivity is one we’re just starting to understand scientifically. In 1991, psychologist Elaine Aron began research into a trait known as “sensory-processing sensitivity,” discerning that someone with increased sensitivity could be categorized as a “highly sensitive person,” or HSP. Believed to be anywhere from 15% to 20% of the population, HSPs not only feel emotions deeply but also feel external stimuli — whether temperature, pain, hunger, or light — to a higher and sometimes overwhelming degree.
Although it may seem like a curse to feel things with this heightened intensity, many people acknowledge sensitivity as a strength, enabling a life of deep connections, creativity, and meaning. These 15 quotes shine a light on the sensitive souls among us, and speak to the challenges and joys of living a highly sensitive life.
Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.
Sensitivity isn’t about being wimpy. It’s about being so painfully aware that a flea landing on a dog is like a sonic boom.
I am deeply moved by things. I’d hate to miss the intense joy of that.
Your beauty is in your sensitivity. Don’t let anyone take it from you.
Why is insensitivity something to strive for? I happen to know that my sensitivity is my strength. It’s helped me navigate through a very difficult path in my life.
Sensitive people never like the fatigue of justifying their instincts.
We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.
You can only understand people if you feel them in yourself.
When a good man is hurt all who would be called good must suffer with him.
The sensitive suffer more, but they love more and dream more.
Sensitive people either love deeply or they regret deeply. There really is no middle ground because they live in passionate extremes.
Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.
Peace of mind for five minutes, that’s what I crave.
The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: a human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
His heart was like a sensitive plant, that opens for a moment in the sunshine, but curls up and shrinks into itself at the slightest touch of the finger, or the lightest breath of wind.
Featured Image Credit: Bettmann via Getty Images
Darren Orf
Darren lives in Portland, Oregon, has two cats, and writes about science, technology, nature, and history.
