Growing up as a highly sensitive person (HSP)

I absorbed the emotional highs and lows of those around me without fully understanding why. I thought everyone experienced the world as I did. I saw it filled with light and energy—something I never truly questioned because it was simply there. It was bright, creative, and bold, but it was also dark, brooding, and painful. It was indescribable, just a presence I lived with.

The feelings were sometimes intense and other times soft and inviting. As a child, I could never quite explain what this felt like. As I grew older, I learned to control and internally embrace this experience, a rich, vivid world of my own making, filled with a broad and imaginative landscape. Again, I assumed everyone felt this way.

Over time, this sensitivity became a kind of mantle I carried. Along with my deep desire for acceptance, I learned to hide much of myself from the world. I found solace in solitude, where I could be alone with the intensity of my emotions. TV and movies became an addiction, and still are, a way to escape the constant movement of my mind’s imaginations and feelings.

Creating helped me keep things somewhat under control, while spending time in nature calmed the emotional chaos. I never consciously chose these creative paths; they simply soothed me and allowed me to function.

It’s only in the last ten years that I’ve begun to understand this part of myself, described by my therapist as an HSP. I’m learning how this sensitivity can serve me in healthy and productive ways. Even in my 60s, I’m still evolving and learning.

Without a mentor to guide me through this journey, I’m pushing myself to explore how my sensitivity can be a gift to serve both myself and others. I’m stepping out of the box and embracing this unusual knowledge to create a path that’s beneficial and meaningful.

I’m still on this journey of discovery, learning to honor my sensitivity while embracing all that it brings. And as I continue to grow, I hope my story can offer encouragement to others who feel deeply, reminding us that our sensitivity is not a burden but a unique strength waiting to be understood and shared. 

If something in my story has stirred a spark within you, perhaps it’s your own energy calling to be heard. Reiki is a gentle way to reconnect with yourself, awaken your unique energy flow, and discover the balance that’s been waiting for you. I invite you to book a session or reach out to me at northstarreikienergy@gmail.com—let’s explore the beautiful ways your energy can guide you forward.