
“Highly sensitive beings suffer more but they also love harder, dream wider and experience deeper horizons and bliss. When you’re sensitive, you’re alive in every sense of this word in this wildly beautiful world. Sensitivity is your strength. Keep soaking in the light and spreading it to others.” ~Victoria Erickson
I am lying next to my son in his bed before turning the light off one night, in that relaxed space between awake and asleep where he allows himself to feel and share. He tells me that he feels very lonely at school.
He shares his loneliness in the middle of kids that are not seeing him for who he is, and that are not being nice to him. He shares his feelings of being invisible, always a bit different and unable to create deep friendships. He discloses that the mockery of others calling him names causes him a great deal of pain.
I immediately relate to the sadness he feels and feel this deep tightness in my heart. A profound sadness and grief as I listen to him. A need to stop his pain immediately and protect him forever from all the cruelty of the world. A deep mother’s pain. A screaming motherly protective instinct.
In addition to feeling his pain, I feel my own shadows and fear of being rejected. I feel my wounded younger self being isolated, mocked, and lonely as well. I don’t want that for him. I numb the feelings and go in “fixing mode,” telling him what he has to do—stand up for himself and put his foot down.
Obviously, fixing mode is not what he needs right now, and he just retracts … and indignantly says, “I don’t get it.” I pause and thankfully get that this is not what he needs right now. He needs me to hold space with empathy. I breathe. I allow the next essential step to unfold.
I let myself feel his pain, I let myself feel my own pain, and we both cry. Wounded son. Wounded mother. No separation.
After a while, when the energy has moved, I tell him:
“My son, it can feel lonely out there. It can feel lonely in there” (showing him my head). “Especially for highly sensitive souls like you and me. I have been there. I feel your pain. I feel my own pain as a mother, and my wounded child feels it too. You are not alone.”
My son and I are quite alike. We are highly sensitive beings. It is a bit of a cliché these days, but I am not sure how else to describe our uniqueness.
We have food, sensory, and emotional sensitivities. We are both highly sensitive to loud noises. We had to leave a theater twenty seconds after the start of a kids’ play, as it was too loud for him, when he was three years old. I am highly sensitive to any type of noise, small or big, and I can hear things that other people can’t, like electricity, and other faint noise that would bother no one but me.
We both get migraines with aura from artificial lightings or certain screens. He is highly sensitive to the texture of clothes and food. We both get highly affected by what is happening in the world or injustices in the communities—to the point that some days I can’t even function if I listen or watch atrocities or sad stories on the news, and I have to take a day off to nurture myself and realign.
We are both highly empathetic and can feel what others can feel. We are both highly in tune with what others can’t see, on a human level and in the energetical and spirit realms.
It almost feels like we come from a different planet; like we’re trying on a human space suit and visiting a place we don’t fully understand, finding it hard to adjust here amongst other humans, amidst the noise.
So that makes life hard to bear some days. We have many triggers, and we feel the whole and wide spectrum of emotions… on a daily basis.
We are highly reflective and constantly observing, analyzing, in our heads, so we are prone to self-doubts, leading to paralysis and procrastination.
We have social anxiety when we are in bigger groups and tend to feel uncomfortable, invisible, awkward, and easily exhausted in such a setting
But our sensitivity also makes life majestic when we are living in alignment with what makes our hearts sing. Theo loves nature, exploring, mountain biking, playing the piano, and being with and learning about animals; and he can get lost in all of that—utterly joyful, captivated, and happy.
I love playing music and singing, yoga, hiking, and spending time in nature, and it’s all equally magical for me.
We are also super creative when we get into a state of flow.
We don’t go with the status quo, and we can make our own way, being a seed of change in a family, organization, or the world.
Above all, being highly sensitive enables us to connect with others on a deep level, knowing what is going on emotionally for them, having observed humans for a while and being highly intuitive.
So, to all of you highly sensitive people out there, you are needed. Don’t ever think that you are not good enough because you don’t fit nicely in the world around. You are uniquely positioned to be a seed of light to the world around you.
You have a gift for understanding and empathizing with people. Your creative talents can bring joy to others and help solve some of the world’s biggest problems. And your passion for the things you enjoy can inspire other people to stop merely surviving and start getting the most from their days.
Use your strength, be yourself, and release the limiting belief that you are not good enough. This is simply not true; you are more than good enough. So get out there, do scary things like being visible, and shine your light.
Because you are highly sensitive, it takes a bit more work to effectively take care of yourself—your body, your mind, your emotions, and your energy. Eat nourishing foods that are good for your gut, sleep at least eight hours, exercise, spend time in nature, meditate, set boundaries with other people. And above all, do the things that light you up daily: create, sing, write, journal, paint, play music, dance… whatever it is for you!
I was lucky to find yoga and neuro-linguistic programming early enough in my life, and they saved me in the moments of hardship and loss, when I met the darkness of my soul.
I had ways to approach life, manage my emotions, and see the bigger picture and the world in a different way. I had approaches to relax my nervous system and move my blocked energies. I am hoping my son will find his path and healing approaches that work for him. Of course, I will do my best to guide him along the way, but I know he will be the one to find his path and do the work.
To all the sensitive souls out there. I hear you. I feel you. I understand you.
Share your light with the world. You are truly needed.
About Dorothee Marossero
Dorothee is a conscious, compassionate empowerment coach who is redefining what women were conditioned to believe success, beauty, and life ought to be. Dorothee supports women who are struggling with a harsh inner critic, a sense of misalignment, and lack of clarity in their life, to reconnect to their inner-powers and rediscover self-love, presence, and joy. Download her FREE booklet: "Nurturing Harmony: A Guide To Thriving As A Highly Sensitive Being." here IG: @dorotheemarossero











Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine.
Very well written, Dorothee☺️❤️.
I can relate to alot of the things you wrote, including the conversation with your son. I’ve had a similar conversation with my daughter. Do you know of any resources for discovering a career for people with sensitivities and needs like us? I have struggled for over 15 years searching for the best way to work and align myself. It usually means I sacrifice myself and live unhappily and uncomfortably and strained on a cycle where I get to the point of exhaustion every 6 months to a year and then feel a failure unable to be and do things like others who seem to not struggle with these high sensitivities. I appreciate this article. Thank you
oh my goodness. I can relate to a lot of your sensitivities. You are the first person I know (or have even tried to find research on but to no avail) re you get migraines with auras. I realised I get them from screens and certain lighting too. I have found Avulux Lenses have helped. Very scary when seeing the aura but apparently not dangerous. x
So, to all of you highly sensitive people out there, you are needed.
I’d like to believe so but this world does not welcome or value sensitive people, especially boys.
Thank you for sharing yourself, your wisdom, and your light! Love this article! Did you paint the image at the top? If so, wow! If not, can you share who did?
This is beautiful.
Being so sensitive can sometimes become burdensome, but I would not trade it for anything. This is a gift that allows us to experience life under a different light.
“Coming from another planet” made me smile. It’s so accurate! We are not better or worse than other people. We just walk a different path.
What a sweet read this was 🙂 Thanks for sharing all of that Dorothee…. I do relate to you and your son in some ways. Not so much in terms of sensitivity to noises or from bright lights, but I do definitely describe myself as sensitive in other ways.
“We both get highly affected by what is happening in the world or injustices in the communities—to the point that some days I can’t even function if I listen or watch atrocities or sad stories on the news, and I have to take a day off to nurture myself and realign”.
I feel you. Earlier this week, I watched a YouTube documentary about the 2014 Ebola crisis in Africa. It touched me so deeply that I struggled to function for quite some time afterwards. I feel the same way about other things too.
Thank you for hearing, feeling and understanding me. Best wishes to you and your son! I look forward to reading more articles 🙂
Thank you for sharing… I know it feels like that sometimes… it is hard to live in a society where a lot of people see sensitivities as weaknesses or overreactions… because a lot of us were raised with parents that were uncomfortable with big (or small) feelings and emotions… I fell in very dark places at times, and it can be very lonely.
Remember you are not alone, remember your sensitivities also make you a conscious being that feels the whole experience of being human. You are not numb. It is time to reframe that belief that sensitivities are weaknesses, because it is simply not true. So many reasons we are more than enough as stated in the article. Sensitive beings are my favourite beings to hang out with… I hope you find your non-judgmental HSP tribe and if you need help, please reach out. With deep gratitude! Dorothee
Thank you Amy 🙂
You are very welcome 😊❤
Dark times and places, yes.
I eventually learned to be comfortable and confident alone.
Thankyou for posting anyhow.
Thank you Julie! Yes I would not trade it either and keep telling my son as well… it is a superpower eventhough it is very hard at times…
Hi Sharon! Thank you for sharing this. Yes I have had migraines with aura since I was 12… I have now managed to get them only on rare occasions, with lifestyle choices, managing stress, and limiting the different other triggers that cause them. They are not fun! but they usually indicate that my body is under-stress, so they come with a message to listen to (usually a message I haven’t listened to in the previous weeks: to slow down and relax!). Sending love to you.
Hey Kelly, thank you for your share. It is not easy, it can be draining to try to fit in to a world that is not necessarily always accomodating to those sensitivities. I hear you. Truly.
For HSP like you and I, there is a very big need to prioritise your wellbeing and to calm the nervous system on a daily basis…. so do the things you love to do outside of work and that recharge your battery and soothe your sensitive nervous system: nature walks, yoga, meditation, energy healing, breathing, talking to a good friend, a movie… whatever you found works for you. And it does not have to be long. But prioritise this. Have clear boundary with work, family and respect those for yourself.
I used to work in the high pace corporate world and I had my lunch hour completely blocked to go and do yoga. I declined any meetings that was planned during those precious hours. I would come home to the kids and go outside. And during the week end will take care of my nervous system: nature, yoga… Discussions to have with work and family.
Now in terms of career, I think HSP are needed in most areas of work to actually build a society that take into account sensitivities. Architects, engineers, writers, coaches, therapists, any types of artists, any healing modalities, nurses….
I believe in some ways people that are not sensitive to all the things we are, are a bit “numb” or desensitized to life … and creating life that would work for HSP people would make life to people that are not as sensitive better: buildings created with a lot of natural light, less noise, more calming colours… more nature around…more kindness, understanding, inclusion… etc… the world would be a better place for all.
So in some ways, for you the invitation for now is to tune in to what lights you up, find joy even in the simple things of life… and set boundaries with people around you and with yourself as well (there are a lot of beliefs around taking care of yourself to dismiss and reframe… like it is selfish, not productive, etc…)…
I am always happy for a chat, I coach people just like you. So I am very happy to have a chat with you, let me know and we can set that up (no charge for that call 🙂 )… Where do you live?
With love and gratitude
Dorothee
Thank you Colleen! I did not paint the image, but maybe Lori @tinybuddha, that edited my article knows?
I loved your article! It was very much of a comfort to me. No matter how much I try to take care of myself I end up in burnout.
I work as a professional intuitive psychic on the phone with clients and I need a rest in between each person each client.
My body is always screaming at me to rest.
I do take the rest but it just doesn’t seem enough.
I find the world draining.
I’ve had to deal with calling the IRS to deal with some issues and the representative for so mean and nasty. And I just find the whole thing and waiting for 2 hours so draining. I told her that she was really abusive and that I would be making a complaint with the IRS complaint line which I did.
The infrastructure of the IRS in so many of these government businesses as well as corporate are so dysfunctional. And are draining, energy vampires.
I try everything to protect myself. But calling and talking to that very rude IRS person and also talking to an IRS person at the beginning of the year that was just as rude is too much. I usually just tell them what I think of them and mention that I will make a complaint.
To my experience, the world just wants to eat sensitive loving people alive to the bones.
All the more reason to stay inside.
You think if society was worth helping I would leave my house and go help them.
But to my experience I get devoured and spit out naked and half dead, time and time again.
Having my faith in humanity tumble over cliff after cliff, now I am poor and have nothing I can afford to give back without fear of being bitten.
Thanks society.
You suck.
Also you are a fst hypocritical lazy liar america.
Get off your lazy asses and quit blaming everyone else for your own problems you lazy asses.
Now I have all my divinity and love and gifts all to my self. Since nobody else summomed me here or needs them for anything I’ll continue hiding my love from people.
If a selfish narcissistic society hadn’t ripped me open like a candy pinata and devoured my entrails like delicious children’s candies, I might still have been a good person.
But as it turns out society does not need a nice and kind giving person. Being too nice gets one abused and destroyed in entirely too many psychological and emotionally painful ways to be able to articulate or share with anymore in an intimate way again
Nobody could ever love the shattered remains of this broken man. Society helped me forget how to love my self by taking me down infinity rabbit holea of self help. Now I am alone and silent. Waiting for nobody.
It sounds like you might be autistic 😅 it could be worth researching! Sensory sensitivity, difficulty socialising, and difficulty managing emotions are some of the key traits of autism. It’s a myth that people with autism are unempathetic or don’t feel emotions, everyone on the spectrum is different and personally (I’m also autistic!) I feel emotions quite deeply and am highly empathetic. I’d recommend looking into it ^.^
I believe the best way to change the world is to bring empathetic people together. 2 empaths together can be life changing. An empath alone in this world is catastrophic. Society today is making it exceedingly more difficult to bring people together and trying to separate us more and more. The world would be completely unrecognizable in an amazing way if every or most empathetic people were brought together. This is something i’ve been trying to figure out but is a difficult solution.
Thank you for sharing Nick. And thank you for your kind words. I write because it is therapeutic for me but also because I want others to feel heard and seen… so your comment means a lot.
Hi Beanie, Thank you for your comment and for sharing. I might well be! I have a few people in my family that are autistic, so it is a very real possibility! From research I believe there are some differences between being Highly Sensitive and autistic even though both are neuro-divergences and can easily co-occur. I will do a proper diagnostic in the next year. I know from close experience it is an empowering experience to have the proper diagnostic! With deep gratitude.