If you feel these 9 emotions deeply, you’re definitely a highly sensitive person

Do you ever feel like you experience emotions more intensely than others?

Like you’re tuned into the world around you in a deeper way?

Maybe a beautiful song can bring tears to your eyes, or you can’t watch a sad movie without crying.

If this sounds like you, you might be a highly sensitive person (HSP).

Being an HSP means that you feel things more deeply, and it’s not a bad thing.

In this article, we’re going to talk about nine emotions that HSPs often feel strongly.

If you find yourself relating to these emotions, you might just be a highly sensitive person.

1. Empathy

One of the most defining emotions of highly sensitive people is empathy.

Empathy is the ability to feel what others are feeling, almost as if their emotions were contagious.

For HSPs, empathy goes beyond merely understanding another person’s perspective.

It’s as if they can step into another person’s shoes and truly feel their emotions, whether it’s their joy, their sorrow, or anything in between.

This heightened sense of empathy can be a double-edged sword.

While it allows HSPs to connect deeply with others and often makes them great listeners and supportive friends, it can also be overwhelming to carry the weight of others’ emotions.

If you find yourself affected by other people’s feelings as if they were your own, you might be experiencing the empathy that comes with being a highly sensitive person.

2. Overwhelm

As a highly sensitive person, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, especially in busy or chaotic environments.

The world can sometimes seem like it’s too much to handle.

You may feel like you need to escape to a quiet room just to breathe and regain your balance.

I remember once being at a concert where the music was so loud, the lights so bright, and the crowd so dense that I felt like I was drowning in sensory overload.

I had to step outside just to catch my breath and calm down.

If you often find yourself needing to take a break from the intensity of the world around you, know that it’s okay.

Overwhelm is a natural emotion for HSPs, and it’s important to give yourself the space and time you need to recharge.

3. Creativity

Now, creativity might not be what you’d typically consider an emotion, but for highly sensitive people, it’s deeply tied to their emotional world.

You see, the heightened sensitivity of HSPs isn’t just about feeling emotions more deeply; it’s also about sensing nuances, details, and subtleties that others might miss.

This can make HSPs remarkably creative individuals, as they often find inspiration in the tiniest of details, whether it’s the texture of a leaf, the scent of rain, or the sound of footsteps on a cobblestone street.

But here’s where it gets counterintuitive: that same creativity can sometimes feel like a burden.

When you’re an HSP, your mind is constantly whirring with ideas, images, and possibilities. This can be as exhausting as it is exhilarating.

So if you find yourself feeling both inspired and overwhelmed by your own creativity, you’re not alone. It’s a quintessential HSP experience.

4. Intuition

Intuition is often described as that gut feeling you get when something just doesn’t feel right, even if you can’t put your finger on why.

Highly sensitive people are no strangers to intuition.

Their heightened sensitivity to the world around them often means they’re picking up on subtle cues that others might miss, whether it’s a shift in someone’s tone of voice or a change in the atmosphere of a room.

This keen awareness can give HSPs a strong sense of intuition.

But there’s a twist: while intuition can be an incredibly helpful guide, it can also be a source of anxiety for HSPs.

Sometimes, they may find themselves feeling uneasy or worried without knowing why, simply because their intuition has picked up on something amiss.

If you’ve ever felt like your intuition was both a gift and a challenge, you might just be a highly sensitive person.

5. Elation

Highly sensitive people aren’t just more tuned into negative emotions; they also feel positive emotions with incredible depth.

Elation, that joyous, on-top-of-the-world feeling, is an emotion that HSPs can experience intensely.

Whether it’s witnessing a beautiful sunset, hearing their favorite song, or just enjoying a heartfelt conversation with a friend, highly sensitive people can find themselves swept up in moments of elation that feel almost transcendent.

Studies have shown that highly sensitive people often have increased activity in certain areas of the brain associated with high levels of empathy and awareness of emotions.

This brain activity might explain why HSPs can feel such strong elation in response to beautiful or meaningful experiences.

So if you’re someone who finds joy in the small things and feels a deep sense of elation in response to beauty and connection, you’re likely experiencing the world as a highly sensitive person.

6. Loneliness

Being a highly sensitive person can sometimes be a lonely experience.

Despite their deep empathy and ability to connect with others, HSPs often feel misunderstood or out of place.

They might struggle to find people who truly “get” them and their unique way of experiencing the world.

The irony is that HSPs, with their keen sense of empathy and emotional depth, are some of the most compassionate and understanding individuals you could ever hope to meet.

I’ve often heard highly sensitive people describe their loneliness as feeling like they’re on a different wavelength from the rest of the world.

They see and feel things that others don’t, and it can be isolating. It’s like being tuned into a radio frequency that nobody else can hear.

But here’s the thing: it’s okay to feel lonely. It’s okay to admit that you long for deeper connections and understanding.

It’s part of being human, and it’s certainly part of being a highly sensitive person.

Remember, you’re not alone in your loneliness.

There are others out there who feel just like you, who understand what it’s like to be an HSP.

Don’t be afraid to seek them out and share your experiences.

7. Nostalgia

Nostalgia, that bittersweet longing for the past, is an emotion that highly sensitive people often feel deeply.

HSPs have a knack for remembering the details of past experiences, and their emotions are tied closely to their memories.

They might find themselves getting lost in old photos, reminiscing about childhood friends, or even feeling nostalgic for moments that happened just a few weeks ago.

I remember a time when I visited my childhood home after years of being away.

As I walked through the rooms, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me.

Every corner of the house held a memory, every smell transported me back in time.

It was as if I could hear the echoes of laughter and feel the warmth of past moments.

I sat down on the steps of the porch where I used to play as a child, and I couldn’t help but tear up.

If you often find yourself feeling nostalgic, cherishing memories like precious treasures, you’re likely experiencing the world as a highly sensitive person.

Embrace those feelings, for they’re a testament to your deep connection to the world around you.

8. Apprehension

Apprehension, that uneasy feeling of worry or fear about the future, is something that many highly sensitive people are all too familiar with.

HSPs have a heightened awareness of their surroundings and a keen sense of empathy, which means they often pick up on subtleties that others might overlook.

While this can be an advantage, it can also make HSPs more prone to feeling apprehensive.

They might worry about how their actions will affect others, or they might feel anxious about upcoming events that could be emotionally overwhelming.

It’s like having a radar that’s constantly scanning the horizon for potential emotional storms.

If you find yourself feeling apprehensive, know that it’s okay.

It’s part of your sensitivity, and it’s a sign that you’re in tune with the world around you.

But also remember to take care of yourself.

Practice grounding techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help you stay centered and calm.

9. Resilience

Resilience might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of highly sensitive people.

After all, HSPs are often depicted as delicate and fragile.

But here’s the counterintuitive truth: HSPs can be incredibly resilient.

Yes, they may feel things deeply and be more vulnerable to emotional overwhelm, but they also have a unique ability to bounce back from difficult experiences.

The same sensitivity that makes HSPs more prone to emotional pain also equips them with the tools to process and understand their emotions more deeply.

They’re often self-aware and introspective, and they have a strong sense of empathy, which can help them navigate their own emotions and heal from painful experiences.

So if you’re a highly sensitive person and you’ve ever been told that you’re too sensitive or that you need to toughen up, remember this: your sensitivity is not a weakness. It’s a strength.

It gives you the capacity for deep emotional understanding and the ability to bounce back from adversity.

You are resilient, and your sensitivity is a beautiful part of who you are.

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Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

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