A post shared by @twinflames_lovers on Jul 10, 2016 at 11:40am PDT

When a certain type of person comes to see me for psychotherapy, I can predict some of their struggles before they utter their first words. While their circumstances vary, a common thread weaves its way through their lives.

The commonality that binds this group together is the gene, identified by Dr. Elaine Aron, that causes one in five people to have a highly sensitive nervous system. Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) process everything deeply, experience emotional intensity and strong empathy, are sensitive to subtlety, and can become easily overwhelmed.

Sitting across from these HSPs in my office, I witness the aftereffects of growing up with this genetic difference.

I see people constantly second-guessing their decisions and questioning their feelings and reactions. They didn’t develop these habits in isolation; their upbringing contributed to these patterns of behavior, this way of being.

They doubt their right to ask for what they need in the workplace, home, and relationships because they worry they’re “too needy,” “too emotional,” or “irrational.”

I see smart, creative people immobilized by overwhelm.

People who would rather “play small” than be themselves and be shamed for it, again.

These people feel deeply and often carry the pain of others.

What saddens me most is their deeply felt sense that something is wrong with them—something shameful, something defective.

As an HSP, I suffered too.

My compassion for HSPs transcends professional interest. I understand well these finely tuned people, not only because of my training and experience, but also because I, too, am an HSP.

As an HSP, my life was similarly peppered with self-doubt, shame, insecurity, anxiety, overwhelm, and self-criticism. I also grew up misunderstood and came to believe something was wrong with me—something shameful, something defective.

I, too, learned to numb, hide, control, and chastise myself to avoid the pain.

Learning about the highly sensitive nervous system, I’ve come to see myself and others like me so differently than I did before. Working hard on my own personal growth and development was key to this transformation.

Intuitive Warriors: A More Fitting Name.

Finding our way to self-acceptance and greater well-being is a universal need for all sensitive people. To start this journey, we need to be equally aware of our strengths and our struggles.

I’ve found that the best way to throw off our shackles is to speak, with each other, about our experiences and to question the toxic messages we’ve been fed by those who didn’t understand—those who, while well-intentioned, were quick to adopt the pejorative pain of the “too sensitive” terminology.

We need a new name, a brighter paint, a softer brush. A name that evokes the passion and power we possess. We are warriors. From this deeper understanding, new, empowered terminology has emerged: Intuitive Warriors.

It takes grit and resilience—qualities we have in spades—to survive in this often harsh world.

Many of us have risen from the ashes of immobilizing anxiety and overwhelm. By sheer force of will and persistence, we have fought to stay engaged in our relationships, work places, and families.

Intuitive Warriors are emotionally robust with amazing processing abilities. Our intuitions hold untapped wisdom that can act as a guide in making positive choices and standing strong in the face of complexity.

I have a message for you: You can trust yourself, honor and accept your emotions, learn ways to calm your worry, and live in the present surrounded by people who love all of who you are. You have unique gifts to share with the world and experiences that other Intuitive Warriors need to hear.

If you’re still unsure, here are six reasons your sensitivity makes you an Intuitive Warrior:

1. You feel for those in pain and do not become desensitized to violence or cruelty.
2. You bring passion and creativity to your home, relationships, and workplace.
3. You are thoughtful and consider the potential impacts on your environment of what you say and do.
4. You value meaning and engage in topics, projects, and missions that are important to you (and that you believe benefit the whole).
5. You are intuitive and often access unconscious wisdom that directs your choices and brings insights to others.
6. You care. You care about your friendships, your relationships, your children, your work, your communities, your culture, and the world.

If this is you, know that you are a gift. You aren’t alone. We need you here.

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Author: Brooke Nielsen
Image: Instagram/Twinflames_lovers
Editor: Travis May
Copy Editor: Leah Sugerman
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