Sense and Sensitivity

On gratitude, awe and the joy of living as a highly sensitive soul

Photo by Gillian Gabriel, Morning Walk, November 2024

Often those of us with the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) personality trait, can be mistaken for being serious, perhaps low in mood, and seen as “overly sensitive”. As if that were a bad thing. It is true that we can find the world overwhelming at times due to the experience we have of overstimulation. We take in everything in fine detail and process it all deeply, deeply, within. There is a lot going on inside us and our experience can be intense including the physical and emotional sensations zipping through our bodies.

Too often though we can judge a book by the cover, and not bother to flick to the contents to see what may be hidden inside, or turn a few pages out of curiosity and care. And while it can be tough at times to take in and process all we do, it can be so sweet, beautiful and joyful to absorb what’s stunning about the world in the technicolour kaleidoscope way we are. I have come to appreciate and be grateful for the wonderful aspects of being an HSP, and to work with, not against, the harder aspects lurking in the shadows. Now I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I’d like to invite you to step into a day of a sensitive soul…

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Her eyelids twitch and long lashes flutter slightly as birdsong nudges her towards another day. Her body aches, a strangely good sign that she’s not moved much and slept through. It feels good to wriggle under the cozy blanket and snuggle in as her fingers fumble mischievously finding snooze. The sun yawns, stretches, and starts to tiptoe very slowly as it glances up towards the sky. The first trickle of light into the world. The day ahead tumbles into her thoughts. Butterflies gather to dance in her tummy.

She steals quietly like a secret spy closing the door gently behind her, careful not to break the liminal spell. The shutters are already open and she flicks her little moon lamp on. Enough light to write her morning pages while dim enough not to disturb the unfolding that will be brought by dawn. She settles down, sipping hot water infused with sharp lemon, spicy ginger and sweet honey. Words spill onto pages and she is grateful to them for catching her without judgement and holding her with care. As black ink sky flows into navy blue the shapes of trees and houses emerge. She can tell just by the changing light it will soon be time.

She exhales, another beginning, possibility, hope. Anticipation tingles her fingers and toes as she wiggles into her coat, tugs on boots, snuggles into a chunky scarf and steps outside. Fresh air fills her lungs and she can breathe again setting off on her walk to welcome the day. The sky blushes rosy pink as if, modestly, it’s glanced at what’s coming. The light is teetering between the night that was and the day full of promise. In that moment rose gold shards spike over the horizon. One becomes two, three, four, a blur. A merging, blinding, pure energy, force, fire, palpable. Birdsong erupts, snowdrops tremble, and the first daffodils of spring trumpet along.

The sun, at first peeping over the horizon, rises up and spreads its power far and wide. It fizzes through her body like electricity. She barely notices she has stopped moving, mesmerised by the beauty and wonder of a sunrise so spectacular. Ruby red with threads of crimson, smudges of beetroot, copper and gold smeared across the sky. An artist’s palette, so beautiful, so bright. Awe, joy, wonder light up her central nervous system, buzzing with life.

Hope, belief, trust fuelling her for another day and all that it will demand of her. For now, it all seems possible. Now it’s just about this moment. Perspective visits and sits by her reminding her how vast the Universe is and what’s actually important. She remembers this in her heart. She follows the sun in worship barely realising she’s continued on her way. Saying hello to buds unfurling, she notices the scent of early blossoms floating on the breeze. Apart from the occasional dog walker who nods, smiles, sensing they’ve witnessed the wonder too, she feels like the only person truly fully awake and knowing.

She returns home to the day unravelling, resourced for what’s to come. Later as the clock reminds her it’s the middle of the day, she raises her head. From immersion and flowing to distance and ebbing. The sun is burning brightly, fully illuminating the day. With that comes complete clarity and unfaltering understanding. She’d known it all along, and now she knows it in her soul. How lucky are we? With the sun’s peak comes light that creates shadow. But the shadows shift and alter shape as quickly as the frown from a passing cloud. The moving sun, the scene always in transition. Today, they don’t stay dark for long.

The day continues as the sun begins its gradual careful climb down. The working day comes to a satisfying close. Another chapter. Again she closes a door behind her as she steps out to step in. She lovingly sets the table for dinner, anticipating the sharing of each other's days. Being fully present, glad to be in unison, giving undivided attention. Who knew chopping vegetables together could be so treasured.

The light melts across the kitchen cupboards, bounces off glass, taps her on the shoulder, I’ve come to say goodbye. She opens the balcony doors wide so she can inhale the daylight fading and the sun’s last hurrah. She gasps as the sun greets the horizon. Bright burning blood orange, gold, peach, and bronze oozes across the sky. A streak of thick purple, a smudge of rust blend into deepening blue above.

The first stars and planets spark, flicker in delight. The colours trickle down as the day disappears and reflection pulls her inwards again. It’s not over yet, tomorrow’s new beginning tinged with today’s nearing ending. Strangely bittersweet. A sense of sadness and loss swirling with joy, wonder and gratitude. It’s not a dying day, but rather one lived. As dusk settles in, dimming the light, inviting rest for another day yet to come. All that’s been bright, beautiful, ablaze becomes glowing embers full of memories, then ashes, smudged and smeared where colour once was. Stunning.

The Earth lets out a delicious sigh and breathes deeply into its big belly. She steps over the threshold, closing another door behind her, turns the light inward and illuminates her Self. And in turn returns the light back out to the world. She releases the breath she’s held for so long. I can do this thing called life because…

Always be vulnerable, brave and daring!

Sensitively,

Gentle Gillian x

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Reflective Questions For You:

Take some time to either be with the breaking dawn and sunrise, perhaps while walking, or to be with the sunset and dusk that follows from a perfect vantage point. Take a big breath out, maybe three, and then, when you’re ready, pick up your pen and free write whatever comes in response to these questions:

• What rose up or perhaps settled down to rest?

• What’s stepped out of the shadows and been illuminated?

• How did you feel and what are these emotions telling you that you need?

Bonus activity: What makes you feel grateful for having a day? Please feel free to share with your fellow sensitive souls here in the sensitive coaches pHiloSoPhy in a comment below; go on be vulnerable, brave and daring:

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Gillian is a qualified and credentialed Coach (ICF, PCC), a qualified Coach Supervisor and Coach Mentor; and, of course, a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). She works with HSPs to manage their self-doubt, anxiety and overwhelm, so you can be fully present for yourself and others. To explore working with Gillian, book an initial (free) call by clicking here.

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#GentleGillian #hsp #sensitivity #highlysensitiveperson #highlysensitive #hspcoach #hspcoaching

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