Do you notice, as I do, that you seem to be highly sensitive? Do you find yourself getting tense in certain environments, or hearing certain sounds, with smells, or in charged interactions with others? Me, too! My nervous system can get yoinked up by the slightest of disruptions.

I’m sensitive to environments and lighting (low ceilings or overhead lights, no can do). I’m sensitive to loud or repetitive sounds (that thrumming oontsa, oontsa, oontsa at dance clubs is torture to me). I’m sensitive to various smells (cigarettes, vanilla, choke choke). I’m sensitive to other people’s moods and energy, too. It’s like I’m a spider, and I feel the tiny vibrations in the web of my life.

For those of us who are sensitive like this, there may be various causes. Maybe it’s a quirk of our brain architecture of chemistry. Maybe it’s fallout from the vibe in our childhood home (my mom’s anger was fearsome, so I learned early on to detect the warning signs in order to keep myself out of the line of fire).

Having a sensitive disposition or sensitive nervous system takes some care to manage. I maintain my environment to suit my needs. I give myself time to recover when something disrupts my delicate system. I like to go slow. I like to prepare for transitions. I have learned to set boundaries for myself, so I can feel protected as I go about my day (as much as possible given the inherent unpredictability of the world).

Even as being sensitive requires care and attention (which might feel like a burden), it’s also a superpower. Those of us who are sensitive have special powers.

We can get really good at naming and setting boundaries, and we can learn to do it in a clear, friendly way. We can let others know what is and is not okay with us, what we need, and what we are willing to offer.

We have the ability to read other people’s moods, to hear what’s not being said, and to see what is needed. We then have to opportunity to respond with care, to support people who are in distress, or to stay out of the way if necessary. It’s like we have an “early warning system.”

With those powers also come the possibility for leadership and trailblazing. We can call out things we see that others may not yet have seen. We can call in what we sense in others in a supportive way (this is particularly helpful for me as a therapist!).

We can model self-care, giving others permission to notice their own needs and take care of themselves. It’s my belief that “permission to go slow” is much needed in the world and would ease a lot of our collective pain.

I invite you to consider and explore your own sensitivity, and I’m available to support you as you learn to harness your superpower.