Are You a Highly Sensitive Woman?
The Lady of Shallot by John Waterhouse.
Although the primary focus of The Captains Lady is on helping women, the information below applies to all Highly Sensitive People. If you are male, please substitute the words woman, women, she and her with men, man, he and him.
What It Means To Be a Highly Sensitive Woman
Highly Sensitive Women are prone to stress syndromes simply because they are highly sensitive. I am sure most of us recognize the term 'thin skinned'. This holds especially true for the HSW. It is not meant as an insult. It is meant as a truth.
Highly Sensitive Women absorb the energies around them more than other women. This is also true for Highly Sensitive Men, but even more true for women, as women are natural receptors. The thoughts, feelings and vibrations of other individuals, and things that stimulate the senses others seem to have a barrier against, the HSW does not. For the HSW, stimuli can feel more like an assault, which can lead the HSW toward becoming over-sensitive and over-whelmed with life in a hurry.
Many HSW are emotionally burned out before they ever reach puberty. It is important then, especially for the Highly Sensitive Woman, to find ways of rejuvenating and protecting their bodies at the cellular level and their energy fields (auras), as they are the basis for vitality and health, or dis-ease!
Isn't Everyone Highly Sensitive?
Men, women, and children of both genders, are capable of being highly sensitive at some time or other, but not everyone has highly sensitive emotions or highly sensitive physical reactions the majority of the time, except for Highly Sensitive People.
Highly Sensitive Women are usually born sensitive, carrying with them certain genetic traits, which they often pass on to their children. Trauma and abuse often trigger deeper sensitivity, but may also create sensitivity in some folks. How we think and what we feel about ourselves can increase sensitivity.
Even non-sensitives can be deeply, spiritual beings, but they have an easier time of it, at least in being able to protect their fine 'sensitivities' from outside forces.
Everyone goes through sensitive periods in life. Everyone. Most people manage to bounce back once they give themselves time to wrap their minds around an issue, make a decision leading to a positive outcome, or after getting a little rest. However, Highly Sensitive Women have a hard time bouncing back and often continue to have low energy reserves.
Low energy, whether you are highly sensitive or not, will eventually cause dis-ease and sickness, which is a given for energy drained Highly Sensitive Women.
More Spirit Than Body
It might help to think of the HSW as being more spirit than body. If you ask an Highly Sensitive Women if she believes in the spiritual realm, in God, in angels and in miracles, she will wholeheartedly say "Yes!" Many can't wait to go 'home'! In fact, it is true, some women become highly sensitive after near death experiences.
Whether you consider yourself a spiritual individual or not (and you don't have to be), there are certain traits that define a Highly Sensitive Woman (person).
Traits of a Highly Sensitive Woman
All Highly Sensitive People share the following traits.
A Highly Sensitive Woman is sensitive to the subtleties of sound, smell, sight, and other sensory awareness in her environment. She is also more sensitive to electromagnetic energy fields and levels. This includes the electromagnetic energy fields (auras) of others as well. If you area HSW, you have no doubt been told that what you feel is all in your mind.
A Highly Sensitive Woman is hardworking, conscientious and precise, but is uncomfortable with being closely supervised. To be scrutinized is painful. This causes a deficiency in productivity. If you are a HSW, you may have been accused of having 'rough edges' at work when you reacted to your discomfort.
A Highly Sensitive Woman has the utmost respect and appreciation for nature and the arts. If You are a HSW, you no doubt have pictures of yourself by the water or hugging a gigantic tree! You're probably more fascinated by being an observer (ice skating, ballet, etc.), rather than a participator.
A Highly Sensitive Woman can become completely stressed out when overwhelmed and may seek out a darkened room for comfort, relief and a few minutes alone. If you are a HSW, you probably love spending alone time gardening or studying on the latest subject that fascinates you.
A Highly Sensitive Woman is compelled to file, categorize and organize everything, including thoughts. If you are a HSW, you can become overwhelmed and even immobilized by clutter, chaos and stress. Simplicity is breath itself.
A Highly Sensitive Woman is physically uncomfortable when she feels things are beyond her control. If you are a HSW, a messy house will give you a headache and an argument will make your stomach hurt.
A Highly Sensitive Woman can experience mood swings, sometimes instantly, by other people's emotions, attitudes and difficulties. If you are a HSW, you may actually hide behind the door and act like you are not home when certain people come calling or leave others wondering why you got so upset in their presence, which leaves you feeling confused yourself.
A Highly Sensitive Woman is calmed by water, a shower, a fountain, a lake, river or ocean. If you are a HSW, you probably have a secret fantasy world where mermaids and fairies really exist. Water is life, especially for you.
A Highly Sensitive Woman has vivid dreams and a rich, spiritual, and often imaginary, inner life. If you are a HSW, you can easily imagine what the world would be like if everyone acted from their highest selves.
A Highly Sensitive Woman is very intuitive and can discern the good, the bad and the in between of people and places, truths and lies, rights and wrongs. If you are a HSW, you probably have a constant dialogue going with the divine. Your connection to the spirit is strong.
A Highly Sensitive Woman worries about many things and is often told she is 'too sensitive' or 'takes things too personally'. She knows she has a lower tolerance for stimulation, but can't explain why. If you are a HSW, you often try to 'act' like everyone else just to fit in. This can make you feel you have lost touch with the real you.
A Highly Sensitive Woman has had the experience of cutting people out of her life as a means of self-preservation. If you are a HSW, there are people in your life you have had to let go of because to be around them drained your energy beyond your ability to cope.
As a child a Highly Sensitive Woman is introverted, shy, timid and quiet. If you are a HSW, it was probably hard for you when it came time to do team sports in school, go through a shopping line by yourself, or take criticism in front of others.
Is It Any Wonder?
Is it any wonder, given these traits, Highly Sensitive Women succumb to physical distress in today's world? It is important you understand being highly sensitive is not a disorder or a disease. The first good thing you can do for yourself is to realize that there is nothing wrong with you! Still, it can land you in a physical mess if not handled correctly.
Good morning...A funny thing happened on my way to check something out. I was looking for The Captains Lady Book store on line and I found you. What a wonder filled website. I know I was supposed to find you. Your website is presenting so much wonderful information. I am 73 according to the calendar and have been on my conscious spiritual journey for 23 years. I have learned so much and have come so far. I am experiencing an issue I have been working on for some time. It has improved but is not gone yet. I believe it is a stuck energy issue and I know that some of your ideas will be of great help. Thank you so much for being here. I will tell others about this sight. Blessings.
- JoAnn Winters
The Purpose of Being a HSW
If you have been wondering what your purpose is, give some thought to everything you have gone through in your life. What do you know the most about, or what have you learned or experienced, or had a certain insight about, that would help others in some way? Is there something that only you can share the way that only you can share it? No one is unlovable or unforgiveable. Our true purpose, as humans, is to love. How can you love others through your own experience of being highly sensitive? Do that.
"I am not afraid of storms,
for I am learning to sail my ship."
- Louisa May Elcott
May Love & Energy Be Yours!
