I'm a highly sensitive person - and I'm happy! 

Cathy Hay exposing her weirdness in the most adorable way imaginable for 20:22 straight 😏♥️

Oh my dear, when I look at you I see a woman who knows who she is and is incredibly honest with herself. That's not fragility, it's a quiet strength that shines through.

I'm 63 and all my life I was labeled anti social. Since I retired I've become a sewer, a designer, a book lover, an historian. I was never anti social, I just didnt know how to cope with such a noisy, hectic world. Now, surrounded by friends they all see me as I've always been. Quiet, loving, artistic. Funny how time can teach us who we truly are. I so enjoy your channel, your art and your insight into the strengths, we share.

I find this the complete opposite of weak or fragile: to feel so fully, so deeply and still carry on in a world like ours deserves all the praise. 💙✨

My father has always told me "Not everyone can be in the trenches, someone has to cook for the soldiers to keep them going".

I felt a small piece of home in this video. Being known and understood is a rare beauty in this world. Thank you for your wisdom and grace.

You know, I’ve always been belittled for being “too” sensitive I’ve tried over the years to try and harden myself, or at the very least get better at hiding my emotions. Hearing this in such a kind and gentle way was so comforting thank you Cathy.

As a teenager I was diagnosed with autism. At the time I hated it, I had a lot of misconceptions about autism. A friend told me she was surprised, because I seemed highly sensitive. I thought the two were opposites too then. Since then I have learned a lot about autism. The way you describe hsp makes me realise they're actually similar and it makes a lot of sense now.

When I was little I believed in flower fairies. I would spend whole afternoons laying outside staring deeply into flowers. I just knew that if I was quiet enough, still enough, that the fairies would feel safe with me and maybe they would come out and we could play together. I lost that part of myself for a long time. I thought that growing up meant moving on from silly childhood fantasies like my world of flower fairies so I tried my darnedest to shut it away. That’s why I literally teared up when you talked about building a relationship with your roses as you nurture them. That’s exactly how I feel now that I’m learning to reconnect to myself, my imaginative, sensitive self. I realized that only good can come from standing in a garden, believing with every fiber of my being that I’m surrounded by this peaceful, gentle fairy world. It’s what makes me a good teacher, a creative person, and best of all, it’s what makes ME ^_^

I once had someone say "You're _actually_ interested in this, aren't you?" to me, when we visited a museum with a group of people during a trip. It wasn't said in an accusing way, more bewildered and as if he had just spotted a very rare and uncommon animal. For most people it was more of a have-to-do-this stop for the trip to count as education which makes it possible to receive some government funding for it. Someone actually taking their time and taking an interest was very odd to them :D

I have come to the realization that I'm a HSP slowly (but surely) over the years. My father took me to a Christmas concert when I was a teenager and the music was so lovely I cried through the entire thing. When I was in Rome, at St. Peter's Basillica and turned a corner and saw the Pieta it literally took my breath away. I was overwhelmed by the emotion of the piece and had to go off to the side to collect myself. I have always been able to pick up on the emotions of the people around me, even when they are trying to hide them. I was emotionally devastated when I watched Schindler's List and was literally depressed for a month afterward. I have always been overwhelmed by sights, sounds and any sort of business or chaotic atmosphere. I thought I was just a weirdo but was happy to find that there is an explanation for all these things.

I have a marshmallow heart and its my greatest superpower. For my whole childhood I was told I was too sensitive, too emotional. But with that deep sensitivity and hyper awareness has made a good friend, a good problem solver, a good leader. It has saved my life. To anyone who reads this there is great power in empathy, awareness, sensitivity. You are not weak, weird, or broken. Cheers!

This is apparently not uncommon among those of us who have experienced childhood abuse. Reading extremely subtle body language/facial expressions becomes such an important survival skill, that we develop it to an extreme degree. It has helped me deeply connect to people in my life on a whole other level, and as terrible as it was, learning this skill, I'm grateful for it now, and the empathy it's brought me

When I was little I used to pray the power would go out during a thunderstorm because I wanted to fill the house with candles! I would pretend that I was like Anne of Green Gables.

When i was about 14 or so i read that book and felt it related to me so much. My 20 or so older sister told me to stop reading"self help" books as i can read too much into things and believe I have all sorts of things that attribute to me. That kind of messed me up tho as then i felt anything i read couldn't pertain to me since I am probably reading too much into it. Well, now at 37 years old, i believe I am an HSP even more so after re-reading it. Blessed are the sensitive ones. 💛

People who are highly sensitive to the world around them should take a look into autism. I'm 36 and now I found out that I'm very likely on the spectrum. Autistic women and girls tend to fly under the radar anyway... I never knew for example that being extremely good at reading facial expressions, to the point of being highly empathic is also an autistic trait, some autistic women seem to have. Not having the right filters for noise, lights, people... But having the ability to dive deep in often not mainstream special interests. There were some huge "oh that's why!" moments while combing through autistic female youtube. Perhaps one or the other here could see herself in this too

This made me cry, I related to literally everything you’ve said and you’ve made me feel so much better about myself-that I’m not weak or childish, and that sensitive and mourning a dead rose bush and avoiding crowded spaces is okay. Thank you so so much.

I only recently found out that I am hypersensitive and I am extremely glad that I have started to notice that more and more people are just like me and I am happier than ever! But when I found out that my beloved and certainly wise woman is just like me!!!! I'm insanely happy!! I've always been told that I take too much on myself, or that I'm taking everything too personally, and that I'm overreacting and that I'm making things up. I found the book just a month ago and by accident. She opened me up and understood myself, because before that I didn't understand what was wrong with me and why I was so weird.

Unrelated: your voice is sounding SO MUCH BETTER and I'm just so happy you're taking your voice back

You know I think this is why autism and adhd diagnosis’s have been rising cause more and more people realize their sensitive in a way that our world doesn’t appreciate and are trying to find what that is and often they get told it’s a problem (even though neither adhd or autism are problems) I think even the ideas of adhd and autism are trying to fit us quiet sensitive types into the world of Kings and heroes

"Highly sensitive"? Yes. I can cry at the drop of a hat, sad movies/happy movies? Yes, to those too. And yet, I can also hear that little click at the door; a feeling, etc. It used to freak me out, and now I welcome it! "Sensitivity" does not equate to weakness. Thank you!

This made me think of a Fiona Apple line: "My heart's made of parts of all that's around me, and that's why the devil just can't get around me". For me this is definitely the most difficult thing about being an HSP - being overwhelmed by the sad, unfair things in the world everyone seems to ignore just fine.

I'm on the Autism spectrum and this has been my life. It is definitely a two-edged sword. There are many times when my "6th sense" has literally saved not only my life but many. I once shifted an entire historic re-enactment picnic (with most of them thinking I was mad) just in time to avoid a massive tree branch falling from an ancient pine we were using for shade for instance. But day to day it is enormously taxing.

Gotta say: this all sounds like female-presenting autism. I say it as someone who is autistic and has had all these sensory experiences. "Over-sensitivity" is a quintessential autistic trait. Everything is too much and we have to take more breaks to recharge. If we push too much we burnout, which can look a lot like a depressive episode. We recognize that there's a difference between us and most other people early on and adapt by being hyper-observational and masking the behaviors we know won't mesh well with the majority. I'd recommend Sarah Hendrickx's seminars on women with autism.

My mother used to always attack me for being hypersensitive; always telling me to harden up, that I was weak or that I should try to fit in more. I'm glad I never listened to her.

Thank you for this. I am 60 years old and have always been told that I am too sensitive, that I need to “grow a thicker skin”, that I take things too seriously. I always thought something was wrong with me. I grew the thicker skin and tried to quit caring about certain things and changed my ways of being. All that happened is that I fell deeper into depression and lost my ability to feel deeply, to cry and laugh. Thank you for sharing your inner self, that part we try to hide, our most “sensitive” selves, because we don’t want to be hurt, or different. With this single post you made me cry. Thank you. ❤️

Im a tall and big viking looking man, i have to look strong and bombastic for the world, but i just cant... im here, listening to a hypersensitive sister and tears slowly flow on my bearded cheek. and the best part is that im not even ashamed thanks to your sharing.. Thanks you Cathy.

Yes I know this critism "Oh your too sensitive!" Made to feel there is something wrong with you. Im 64 and only in say the last 8 years have I truly started to find myself. I too am highly creative like you. I am very aware of my surrounding. I too can have a conversation and be aware and hear everything going on around me. I am always prepared and know how to "fix things" or think ahead. I had come to the conclusion though that I became this way because I grew up with Narcisisstic parents. Never really knowing the meaning of feeling of true love. Having to be good and please your parents. I thought this made me more aware and highly sensitive. My 2nd husband says I am nothing like my family. I am kind, loving, caring and think good things towards people. I can see the deeper picture too and have empathy. So now I am not sure if my personality is the Highly Sensitive type or was more developed through narcassitic abuse.

A story as payment for you stories: When I was 13 or so, I spent a Saturday morning playing with the red elastic band that came with the morning newspaper. I don't know why I was able to amuse myself with a rubber band for so long. Eventually, I snapped the elastic. I felt so bad. I had just rendered the elastic band useless. Its life was over. I has effectively killed it. I wept for the band. I assured it that it still had a life. I put it in a coin purse and I carried it with me for years (it was soon joined by a beautifully shiny lost bolt), in fact 30+ years later I still have them both somewhere safe. I hear you about being highly sensitive. I am mildly agoraphobic because I have difficulty being out in public because I get very overwhelmed.

I loved this. I'm highly sensitive but didn't know it was a thing. People have often said they think I'm psychic but i know I'm not i just pay attention. It does wear me out though. I often get made to feel that I'm over reacting but I think i just grasp circumstances and their outcomes very quickly, i always doubt myself and berate myself for being over emotional in my reactions but often things do bear out which leaves me feeling vindicated. I'm learning to trust my instincts more.

At primary school (Scotland, late 60s, into early 70s) one of the "tricks" teachers used to calm the classroom down was to have us put out arms folded on our desks and put our heads on our arms and close our eyes. For a few minutes, silence reigned. It didn't last long enough for me, but was the nicest part of any day. At least having a few noisy folk in the class had a positive pay-off.

Dead fishes is genius! My favorite “I’ve had it” game with my toddler son was Chair. This is how you play. Place a chair in the middle of the floor or sit on the couch or other comfy place, if available. Have your toddler run in circles until they start staggering or fall down dizzy. When they get up, have them run in the opposite direction. If you count the laps, it’s educational! Sorry to be off topic above, but I really enjoyed the video. I’m raising a non-neurotypical child (he’s 17 now, which is both easier and not) and your kind words always help me find a quiet spot for myself. He is definitely highly sensitive and ridiculously smart & registers EVERYTHING! It’s spooky sometimes. We are finally getting a diagnosis for him (after years of struggle with doctors), which is both unimportant and absolutely key. We know who is and love him and support him regardless, but he has always felt the differences and felt that they make him less than other children. The result is an almost crippling anxiety, which we are finally addressing with medication. Thank you!

Intuition is a type of listening; it is difficult to hear when you are surrounded by noise. My earliest birthday memories are of my ritual of sneaking away from the party and going for a solitary walk in the rain.

Here I thought I was the only one that lingered in historic rooms and just lost myself. Thank you for sharing! I feel as if I have found a community of like minded folks on your channel and I love it.

In short bursts, I am boisterous, and wildly fearless, and seemingly extroverted. But it takes massive amounts of energy to project that and to be around people. When I bought my farm and told a friend that- I thought- would understand that I am retreating into a Beatrix Potter style life of farming and writing and art, she expressed disbelief and not a little contempt. “How will you ever find time for travel again?” She asked. I replied, “I was never good at traveling. I did it because I felt it necessary to overwhelm myself with information and experiences. I tried for many years to reconcile that maybe I was going to live a suburban life and that I needed to dig in and see all the things a woman with growing children, a small house and few pets can offer. But Now, I am going to digest that massive overwhelming pile of joy and stress. I have so many interior worlds I have to travel now and I need quiet and a steady seasonal ebbs and flows to visit them.” I am no longer of any interest to that friend. It annoys her that I spend my day weeding and water coloring and cursing at the cows.

I have this habit of stopping and literally smelling the roses. Of just touching the petals very gently to fully appreciate all that they are before moving on with my day. I've always felt a bit odd out when doing things like this but perhaps this is a part of being sensitive. Taking a moment to feel the quiet and simply appreciate. Thank you for sharing, this makes me feel a little less alone

Cathy this is such a wonderful video. At 18:00 when you said “I usually keep this stuff quiet because I think people will think I’m out of my mind” your voice was so strong and sweet and I smiled so big!!!! I too often prefer to keep to my inner world, to be quiet and to be with my plants. If you’re out of your mind I am too because I love to give my plants kisses. They are companions

I'm highly sensitive too. And an extrovert. That can be intense.... Interesting, I've never thought of you as fragile - I see you as a strong person. Strong and sensitive! 💖🏵️💖🏵️💖🏵️💖🏵️💖🏵️💖🏵️

As the youngest of five children, quiet space was hard to come by, but as I think about it more I remember my favorite places to hide. I had a big closet that I liked to go sit in and shut the door. I had a nook next to the cupboard, where if I opened the cupboard door all the way, the door made a dark little box (which was next to the heating vent so it was always warm). Behind couches, inside a large hamper, rolled up inside of blankets like a burrito... maybe I couldn't be alone but I realize now that even in a house full of people (I always shared a room with at least two siblings) I found separate spaces of my own. Being "sensitive" has always been used as a negative thing, and it has held me back from doing some things that "normal" people find success at. I can't handle certain jobs because other peoples' emotions are just too much for me to handle. I've been called childish and told I need to "grow up" because that's the "real world". I don't believe I can grow a thicker skin, whatever that means, and I feel like many people come by that thicker skin naturally so I'd really like to know how they think someone can just acquire it? I'm writing another novel in the comments, but I just love feeling so seen, so understood, and I want to stay here and revel in this feeling a bit longer. 😁❤️

Along with many of the commenters, I am not neuro-typical and my husband and 2 of my children are on the autistic spectrum and this is all very familiar! We have learned to use it as a positive and love it! People always mention how sweet and sensitive and caring my kids are. Thank you 😘

Empaths unite! What a gift we have been given; once we learn how to use it instead of letting it rule us! Love this video

1. Your hair looks amazing 👌🏼 2. Your voice sounds so much stronger recently! 💪🏻 3. Stop knowing my inner thoughts 😭

I always liked the metaphor of instead of comparing people to a machine, comparing them to a garden, how different gardens require different things at different times and different amounts. Some plants require more light or less water or more weeding and more repotting and none of these needs are consistent across the board. It may be recommended to water your plant x times but for some you need to check the soil first so you don't over water it, because what may help one plant, may hinder another. I require different things than others and at different intervals, and that's okay.

"Take care of yourself and the rest will follow." I really needed to hear this today, thank you!😭❤

I experience the story you told about playing a dead fishie, I relate to it so very much. It is me at every single party or big event I have been. Everytime, it is great, I have a lot of fun, dancing and laughing with the people there but suddenly- everything changes. In my mind clicks something, everything is too loud, too fast, all of a sudden. And there is only one thought in my mind, "I need to get out." I usually just make my way outside, and when I am in the garden of a venue, when everything is quiet and I know that I am alone, I lay in the grass and I start to sing. I sing to myself until I feel like I am ready to be in a crowded world again. Or sometimes I dance. I am so happy that what you talk about is so familiar to me!

I went from being "highly sensative" to "oh... I'm an autistic female!" Who function exceptionally differently than autistic men.

A wonderful woman taught me this technique for closing off my chakras to protect myself in overwhelming situations: Imagine your chakras in your mind’s eye, then imagine blocking them with some sort of construct. (Do NOT shut off your energy! Simply block it to protect from outside energy.) I imagine a bank vault door. Another suggestion was a Mason jar lid. Whatever you want to visualize. This has helped me stay calm in crowded areas when usually I feel like an emotional sponge. And the protection is yours to undo at any time, but will dissolve naturally when no longer needed. Thank you for listening.

"I already feel like I'm creating a relationship with my roses" This is not weird to me at all!

And it's not even that hypersensitive people can't make good leaders. If you look through history you'll find some of the most successful leaders had to be very in tune with subtly and details. It's just in this modern world that we pigeonhole people into how profitable they are the fastest rather than their ability to contribute to long term satisfaction and stability. Also! There's science to back this up! I remember reading a multi year study on children. A lot went into it but the conclusion showed a correlation between loud infants (infants who were overstimulated and thus got upset easily) to introverted behavior later and quiet infants (infants who could just soak up stimuli and even seek out more) and extroverted behavior later in life. And I like this possibility because it shows how neurodiverse (I know when people say neurodiverse it's referring to the inclusion of autism, ADHD, and much more. And I do believe there's an evolutionary reason for being nonneurotypical and that they are not mistakes who need to be cured, I just lack the vocabulary, anyway) humanity evolved to be in our tribes of 100 or so people. I forget the exact part of the brain they were theorizing about during the study but nonetheless I love science and here's science.

when I became ill with epilepsy and suddenly I realized that I am highly sensitive all the scents seemed stronger I could start to cry when I saw the first snowflakes or I was sitting in a park and I could imagine what kind of clothes people had in the 19th century and how they walked in that park I went to a museum where I saw an exhibition about the Finnish war and started crying

I often come to this channel and watch and rewatch your videos when I've been feeling down and overwhelmed myself and need something soothing to fill my mind with. Here is a safe place. And honestly hearing all this in one of the few spaces I can come to just... be, is just so freeing. It made me feel less alone. Thank you Cathy.

I think I was always like this, but (childhood) trauma made it a lot stronger. I can't listen to and concentrate on something with a lot of noise around me. It shuts down my ability to focus. I have a hard time talking in a large group. I always took being told I was doing something wrong deeply internally. And I notice little details. It means I can make my projects just that much more detailed than many people can, if I wish, but I can also get down on myself because of little details not working out as I wish. And I see things coming that other people wonder why. I can make predictions based on little clues and past knowledge of what those clues brought in the past. I can work out what is happening and what has happened based on the smallest pieces of information. I used to seek out a quiet corner of the library to sit and read, I would rather sit on the floor in a dark corner than in a comfortable couch in the center of a library. I notice when things are different, and can eventually articulate why, if I don't immediately know. I definitely agree that this isn't supported by the general population and society. I struggle to figure out which parts of this I want to change because they cause me harm and were created by trauma and how much I want to keep regardless of whether it was created by trauma because they help me.

I’m pretty young,not out of middle school yet. I really look up to you, and it was so amazing to realize that I’m like you! I never knew this was a thing,and I always thought I was weird,as long as I can remember. I always thought it was strange that I was always more observant, and often more mature,than my classmates. I remember,one time I was waiting for a package, and I opened it.I guess the company shipped the wrong product,because it wasn’t what I ordered. I just got this feeling of dread, and I had the thought “what if the order gets messed up when we reorder it”, and I kind of just knew.When we got the package again,sure enough,it didn’t fit. I really love the fantastic beasts movies,because of that “shifted perspective”. I’ve always been good at problem solving.One time,at summer camp,someone lodged a wood chip into the water fountain.The counselors offered candy to whoever fixed it.So,while everyone else was playing,I and a younger boy set out to fix it. I don’t remember how,but we both figured out how to fix it, and we were both so proud and excited,because we figured it out. I never understood why I was different. I’ve never enjoyed playing with other kids at recess,or being in a big group. I’ve always had such a hard time finding people that understood me, and that I also understood. I always felt like a failure,because up until 6th grade, I really only had 1 or 2 good friends. I have a few more,and I’m so proud. I’m content with my friends, and I’m fine with being “antisocial” or however other people see me. I’ve always had different interests than people my age. I really love dolls,art,fashion, and a lot of stuff similar to that. I was never interested in sports,or trendy clothes and makeup. I guess what I’m trying to say with this massive rant is,thank you! You’ve helped me realize that I’m different, and that’s ok. I don’t need to try to be like other people in my school,or online.Its ok to make friends differently, and to play alone at recess.Its ok to have “silly” interests. What I do is for me. I don’t need to impress anyone. Thank you Cathy,you are an amazing role model!

Being a HSP in this big loud world has been one giant adventure. Thank you for the wonderful video Cathy!

Sweet Cathy, To me, you are marvelous! Please remain as uniquely magnificent as you are. And thank you for sharing your stories with us. Blessings ❤️

My very first experience was when I was maybe 2 or 3 and I was watching the episode of Winnie the Pooh when Rabbit takes in the baby blue bird and raises him as his own. One day, Rabbit finally witnessed the baby blue bird fly and knew it was time for him to leave. (Whenever I think about this to this day, I still moves me to tears. I’m now 25.) My mother said she walked into because she heard me sobbing and I kept telling her the baby bird flew away and Rabbit was sad. The next vivid experience I remember was when I was watching a fashion show and I couldn’t get over how beautiful the clothing was. I’ve always told my family and friends that I couldn’t describe the way clothes made me feel. The show moved me to tears. It made my bones hurt. I believe it was Alexander McQueen. I just recently discovered Dr. Aaron’s book and it all clicked. The feelings I had when I watched movies, listened to music, danced, sang, looked at animals, saw death, just to name a few. Thank you so much for sharing this journey because it makes me and I’m sure plenty of other people feel heard and seen. Wishing you the best, Cathy. - Marissa x P.s. I looked up the clip that was referring to of Rabbit and just thought I’d share. Prepare for some water works! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xfs8TADeyi0.html

Love the hairstyle cathy.. ❤ you look like Bernadette's big sister here 😍

"Waiting for that magic moment when you're the only one in the room." I got goose bumps when you spoke to this experience that I've also had, I deeply resonated with this. ♥️

I have ADHD which is most certainly the cause of my sensitivity (people with ADHD and autism also cant block out as much stimuli and sometimes are able to hear certain sounds others without it cant) but ive always found it to be a superpower. I can and have detected emotional abusers very early and before I even knew what one was, and my loss of respect for them and my understanding of why and how they were manipulating my peers' emotions prevented me from manipulation too. I catch vibes off of people super easily which makes me better at conflict resolution and calming those in distress. I have no trouble navigating tone of voice when only script is used, making me a great writer and editor of emails. and I can listen to a song and close my eyes and transport myself directly to the first time I heard it, a specific time in my life whose emotional sensation always has a subtly unique flavour. but it's also always impeded me, causing me to lash out when criticized as well as causing me to be emotionally manipulated by people who arent even trying to do so. I don't do well with rejection, so I always do what people want me to do, even people I don't like. and since I can read people's emotions and intentions incredibly well, this means that since I know what others want me to do and what they want me to NOT do, I suddenly become forced into doing something I may not want to without being told to. forced by my own emotional sensitivity. because I simply can't handle the repercussions of rejection and displeasure if I do what I truly want to. it really is a double edged sword

This is exactly me too. I also thought there was something seriously wrong with me. I just wish the people around me understood me better.

Thank you so much for this video, from a person with authism and being highly sensitive i recognise so much from what you say. Comments can get to me really fast and i take everything people say to me to heart. Even now people still tell me to grow a thicker skin. I get called crazy for hearing stuff and noticing before others do around me, lying for telling them how harsh the world can be to me. But i finally got a group of adopted family around me that understand and accept me for it. I am learning to accept my sensitivity and work with it instead of against it. Even tho my authism i have a high sense of empathy, i feel when something is up with people around me even when they are not there. I feel the history and weight of places and art to the point it actually will affect my heartbeat. Thank you so so much for making this video

Thank you so much for this. I have known I am a HSP for a few years now, but sometimes it gets to me, especially in the current situation where I am forced to be at home alone for weeks (and now months) on end with no change in sight. I am not outgoing in the best of times and also have a chronic illness and sometimes I feel so worthless. I could not get up today because I was crying so hard. This video came at the perfect time. It's so wonderful to hear these words and also see the comments from so many wonderful people who are like us. I am working hard on my personal happiness journey and sometimes it's bolstering to have these little signposts come along. I'm not like others, but now I feel I'm on the right track and that I have worth. Thank you.

I too am highly sensitive as well. I was the odd one, the strange one and the one who was told to stop wearing my feelings on my shoulders. I require quiet, slow waking up and a lot less noise. In order to assimilate to my physical environment and people around me. Thank you for sharing your stories, and experiences. It help me and others as well.

Cathy, I want to thank so much for your post. I am one of those people and have always felt so different and odd. You have made me feel so blessed to be the person God made me.

I really needed to hear this right now, I'm going through things that make feel crazy and like I can't trust my own thoughts. I try to warn people when I feel like something is off, they don't listen until afterwards when they tell me "oh, you were right!" It's so encouraging to hear the positive side of my sensitivity and to know I'm not crazy for noticing things before others. Please keep me in your thoughts, I'm struggling to go through a really difficult time that goes beyond the pandemic, although the pandemic has definitely made this hard time even more difficult.

This made me cry. I always hated myself for being so sensitive because it made me seem weak and a little wierd. I tried to push myself to be different, to be stronger and less sensitive but it never worked. Maybe it's time to stop fighting against myself.

My life made so much more sense after finding out about the highly sensitive person. I stopped being critical about about myself and see it as a gift.

I love your videos, I completely agree with you. I am an empathic person, I always get deeply moved by music and art. My children used to laugh when I cried during Disney movies during the sad parts or happy parts! I’m very drawn to specific periods of history, love castle & stately homes, where I can sit and breathe in the ‘energy’ of my surroundings. I love nature & hugging trees. I name everything, Phil my oak sapling (Phil Oakey-Human League) Petunia me & my hubbies hippy campervan and an adopted seagull called Nigel! I still believe in Santa and fairies at the bottom of the garden. I’m regularly called bonkers but I don’t care anymore, I’d rather be me and have peace and magic in my life than live without. Thank you so much for sharing your trait, it’s beautiful ❤️

I'm I'm 16 years old and suddenly my whole life makes sense. Thank you so much! //Love from sweden 💞

Lately, I have felt as though life was passing by in weeks at a time. Everything is going so fast and I feel like I am getting less things done. It is so relieving to simply shut off for a while and listen to your comforting voice accompanied by the quiet music, not having to look at the clock.

I reckon it is a high level of survival instinct. Awareness will help you survive.

Sounds so familiar - kindred spirits. Another book that speaks to this: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

Cathy you speak my mind. Imagine being highly sensitive, and highly intelligent/analytical at the same time. I knew how to read through the subtleties of speech, and micro-expressions on my mom's face since the age of 3, and started altering my behavior to get her affection (and failing, since deep down I knew she never loved me). She never really praised me in front of relatives or friends, except saying 'this kid does not cause trouble'. And yeah I had my first thought of suicide was at the age of 4, but my love of the world, the creativity and curiosity keeps me going. Thank you so much for this video, I love every word you speak. You are a truly wonderful human being.

This is really interesting. I work with autistic children. What you're describing is similar to the experience of some on the autistic spectrum. Feelings of not fitting in, sensory overload, hypersensitivity to certain stimuli and lack of sensitivity to others, deep empathetic feelings others might find odd or incongruent. Neurotribes by Steve Sliberman is also a very interest read. Thanks for sharing.

i’m so happy to have found you. i can relate so much to your stories. i always felt like i was an empath, and it’s probably because of being a HSP. don’t have a problem with crowed spaces tho, but i am super attentive to small changes, specially in regards to myself and my own behavior. always felt like a very fragile person as well. feels good to feel like i belong somewhere

I can still hear, somewhere deep in the back of my mind, my primary school teacher telling me that "tears will not get you out of this, why are you crying?" after scolding me for something minor and, I felt, unfair. This, of course, made me cry more. Since then I had heard so many iterations of "don't you start crying on me" or "why are you crying?" that I could probably fill a good thick book with examples. Back then, when as a child I assumed that people thought more or less like I did, I had a really hard time understanding why was that even a question and wondered if that implied other people could cry (or not cry) at will - that seemed like super power of all superpowers. And so I started fearing situations where I could potentially cry in public because of a slight shift in tone of the person talking to me of any other reason (I even burst into tears when given a genuine compliment) and, over many years, developed crippling social anxiety - which, being a clinical condition, is much harder to live with or overcome than accepting yourself and learning to live as an hsp, without the added accumulative baggage. I'm not sure where I was going with this, other than sharing experience, but I guess my point would be that it's very damaging to constantly punish children for being sensitive. Especially when they are so much more sensitive to the punishment itself as well. As a teen I often wished people thought (or, rather, felt) more like me (how boring and dangerous would that be!) and despite learning to love the diversity and differences and unpredictability in people, I still wish, if not through feelings, then through education, we could learn and teach each other a little more compassion.

I've always been told I need to grow a thicker skin. Always been the odd one out. What you describe here is SO MUCH like my own experiences. And to have it all come from you is such a blessing! I needed to hear this! Especially the part of 'having a place in this world'. The last year has been a big challenge for me and so often it felt like I must be wrong on this planet. Must have gotten the address wrong or something, when I was born. But then I see and meet people like you and I feel a bit of home.

As I’m sitting here, once again, listening to books and searching for ways to “get over” my sensitivity so I can “get out into the world” and you share this. Thank you for the reminder that not all gifts are expressed the same. If we ever talk, I’ll be happy to share my experiences in Avebury, or the British Museum, or what it’s like working with a Highly Sensitive horse.

Oh my goodness! Dead fishes! Those adults were desperate weren’t they?! I too had “very conscientious“ every single year on my elementary school report cards. Wow! Talk about moment of grace/divine inspiration/Angelic protection! When you described his balaclava I burst out laughing… “one hole on the forehead…” and I became very emotional when you said “you have a place in this world“ because all my life I have been told “you are too sensitive!“… Thank you so much, Cathy Hay! You are lovely and wonderful and I’m so glad I found you and your RU-vid channel. This is just what I needed today.💕🌟🦋

The mention of waiting to be alone in a room of a historic house really struck a chord with me... I'm so glad to have a RU-vid influencer that I can actually relate to amongst all the loud voices. 🙂

Having been me my whole life, I find it so weird when I realize that other people are not highly sensitive as well. I have a very hard time hearing in a crowded place because I can't shut out the excess noise.

I’ve had several times where being sensitive has helped me, and times where it’s made me need a big break from the world around me- it’s where my love of quiet, local coffee shops in international travel comes from; it’s also how I earned a side-long scar for a few years instead of a few broken ribs when a green horse finally threw me. Very grateful to my grandmother for teaching me I’d need an extra try and extra time with certain things, grateful for this reminder ❤️

Tea, blankets, crochet Rain on a tin roof Blissful life.

Ms. Hay, My Dear, you are not just a mere empath, you are a bright and shining Light Worker! There is a Great Awakening happening that is bringing to the forefront many people's true, sensitive and often psychic, nature - and that is ever so apparent in the hundreds of comments where others say they too can totally relate! Hundreds of years ago, we Empathic Healers were persecuted as witches, but fortunately in these Enlightened Times, we can come forth proudly and share our gifts in our Service to Others; that's our mission as a Light Worker, and just like a lighthouse, as we project our true inner joyous light out into the darkness, we guide home, enfold, and heal those in need of that light, and those acts will continuously reflect and amplify that light till there is no darkness left! And yes, it is totally normal to connect with the Nature Spirits and the Elementals! For far too long, our true gifts have been smothered, as we have been living in a world of deceit for thousands of years, but all that we have been told which is not possible, not real, only a myth or fairy tale, is the TRUE reality! This uncovering of these lies is happening as we speak, and the more that we tune our sensitivity beyond what we see, hear, smell, taste, or touch, learn to trust our innate intuition, open ourselves up to all that is possible, and believe once again in all of the sheer magic of this world, therefore expanding and joining Our Forces of Light, the faster that cover falls and all will be revealed, and life in this coming age of the New Earth will be lived as it was always meant to be: with love, compassion, peace, and complete unity between Humans and Nature! So shine on, Sweet Sensitive Ones, shine on!!!

Thank you for sharing your experience so honestly. I am also highly sensitive.. at 14 I was diagnosed bipolar and began heavy medication. In truth, I think this medication saved my life at the time but around the age of 20, I felt that through therapy and diligent self-work I had amassed enough skills to handle it without medication and spent the next two years slowly working off. I'm 27 now and happy to say I have been able to live more stably and fulfilled than ever before. I run my own business as a silversmith and I've come to understand my emotional depth to be an advantage. I'll say also that beginning my own practice in witchcraft has been a huge factor in my ability to manage the downturns and amplify the benefits, I know I provide true service to the people in my life with my empathy and channeling of messages. I hope that your candid discussion can help some others see that difference is not necessarily deficient-- in so many areas!

this is just what I needed right now, thank you! I was worried something was wrong with me because I do NOT miss going to university and sitting in a hall among 200 fellow students... I always felt so exhausted after just 4 hours I couldn't do any more that day

A beautiful video, thank you Cathy! I’ve known I was an HSP for quite a while and when you realise that the life everyone else has and wants isn’t what you want - life becomes a whole lot easier and bigger, even if you do end up spending more time at home. Thank you 💜

I love this video soooo much. You are a treasure. I’m a very sensitive empath etc., also highly creative. You’ve me helped so much with this video. People have always told me to stop being so shy, to push myself forward and it’s not my nature. I’d rather sit in a woods and feel the trees hum and listen to the birds communicating. You are correct about listening to the feeling. I’ve survived riots, saved lives and stopped houses burning down just by listening to it - my intuition. Keep up being yourself Cathy, you are spot on.

17:00 and ff is very important for sensitive creatives -- listen to this wise lady! Your life is found away from crowd and motion and hyper energy and loudness. Be subtle, and quiet, and nurture your creativity. You’ve SO MUCH to give to the world. It’s SO IMPORTANT right now. Thank you !

This resonates with me. I found out I was highly sensitive about two years ago and i finally understood then why I always have felt different. My mother once told me that when visiting an amusement park I would enjoy looking at people in the rides more than being in the rides myself. Those people had happy emotions and I did not have to endure the sensations that come with the ride. I think it was enough for me and I still prefer the quiter rides and the looking at people. I am trying to embrace my sensitivity and I have found a lot of supportive people who do understand me and don't mind it if I take some time 'off' to recharge myself.

This is food for my soul, it just settled that voice that says “there’s something wrong with you”. Thank you so much Miss Cathy

"just off with the fairies, you know, as you do"

Any women here relating to this should probably look at autism- the lack of "information deleting" leading to sensory overload is a major symptom of autism. Of course you have to exhibit the other symptoms as well, but this is one of them and a lot of women label themselves as "highly sensitive" without realising that they're actually autistic.

Thank you for sharing your stories Cathy! Being highsensitive hasn't always been easy for me either but learning to live with it has brought me some good things too ^^ I have a story with my current partner actually, regarding just "knowing" or having this subconcious feeling. We met almost three years ago, at a meetup with 30 or so people from all over Europe. He and I would travel together since he'd pass one station that I would have to go to anyway. I had only talked to him via text as well as voicechat, we had not met. The meet up went super well. The funny thing is that he and I both took charge, when I rested he took charge and viceversa. Maybe due to this meetup taking place in Germany and my fluent German speaking abilities. Fast forward to April of last year. I had not talked to him, my now partner, in between that meetup and April last year. We had another meetup but this time in the Netherlands (where I'm from). Again, the same thing happened. We both took charge without verbally agreeing with eachother. I went with two other people to a particular sightseeing spot, he took the rest of the group to something nearby and basically became a tourguide. At the very end, about the 5 of us who were left, were resting at the trainstation and I felt an overwhelming urge to just calm him down. I happened to sit next to him and I simply put my hand on his shoulder as if to say "everything will be alright". Turned out he had been struggling with himself and the breakup with his ex (3 weeks prior) without anyone knowing.

I remember going to Versailles and being so thrilled looking out the windows. They were imperfect, with lots of lumps and bumps, but it struck me that the landscape outside looked like an Impressionistic painting. They were beautiful. Everyone was focusing on the exquisite tapestries and wallpapers, which were beautiful too, but the quiet impression of the windows stuck with me. I also spent probably 20 minutes inside Saint Chapelle Cathedral just awestruck by the stained glass windows, incapable of taking even a single photograph. They are so intricate, with so many different colors, so vibrant. Even though we went to much more famous sites, Saint Chapelle was my favorite. Because of its age, its beauty, but also because there were maybe 15 people there, all hushed quiet in this enormous work of art.

You are a beautiful person. Thanks for sharing yourself with us. My brother once turned to me, and said with regret, "You are very fragile." And I thought to myself, "Praise God, I thought he was going to say he saw my shame." Years later my youngest brother said, "You're too sensitive, do you like yourself this way?" I felt indignant. Yes, I do. My daughter introduced me to the HSP book when I was in my forties and it really helped. I have shared it with others and helped them. But I tend to forget that I'm sensitive. Lately, I've been so anxious and tearful. So your words are a helpful reminder that perhaps I'm just going through a very sensitivite time right now. It's been three years since you posted this video but it is still relevant, thank you.

Sending love to you and all who pass by here. Hoping you have a nice day. The world seems to be on fire lately, some places even literally so. I hope we will all rise from the ashes better people, more loving, compassionate and all those good things. Much love from Curaçao ❤️

Cathy, I'm so glad you're talking about this (I wish this had been one of your live videos!). For me the "aha" book was "Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight" by Barbara Heller, which describes sensory processing disorder, a neurodiverse condition often associated with autism but which is its own separate way of being. It's essentially the same as Aron's HSP but rooted in unique brain differences instead of personality (perhaps that's only a difference of semantics). You're absolutely right about there being upsides and downsides to being sensitive -- in our tribal and nomadic times our sensitivities helped keep the tribe safe from predators and other dangers! Today our hypervigilance can make us quite ill and anxious if we don't give ourselves a lot of space to be ourselves, and if we don't do things that are soothing to our senses. I've written a memoir about my own sensitivity and the wider health implications of a sensitive life in today's world -- I'm shopping it to agents now. Keep your fingers crossed it gets out into the world and can help more folks like us.

I find that we highly sensitive people have a bit of a superpower. My sensory-sensitive kiddos are so kind, my 7 year old is forever rescuing worms and snails from the sidewalk, feeding stray cats, telling passing dogs how cute they are, smiling at babies... Teaching my kids about sad parts of history takes some preparation for hugs, etc... Sensitivity is a gift for real people, whether hollywood sees the value or not.

I’ve called being highly sensitive another name for years. I’ve called it, “feeling more deeply than the average person”. To me, they mean the same thing, and I’ve known that I’m one of those people as are two of our five children. (They are, like me, artistic and creative). There are many beautiful things about having this trait. But one of the more difficult things about it is that it sometimes hurts too much to read or to watch stories where there is a lot of pain and suffering. I had to stop looking at photos of the Holocaust - and to stop watching documentaries about abused children, slavery in today’s world, etc. I’ve donated to these causes, but I’m not able to keep these images in my mind. It just goes more deeply than it does for about 80% of the population. There are other burdens I can carry, and strengths I have to give, but I’ve learned that I have to protect my more sensitive/deeper feeling self.