High sensitivity and subconscious beliefs
If you are a highly sensitive person, this article is for you!
Princess Diana, Salvador Dali, Jane Goodall, Bruce Springsteen, Mary Shelley and Mozart, just to name a few, are all thought to have been or be highly sensitive. And yes, I am highly sensitive myself. An estimated 20-30% of all people are highly sensitive which means they have a (much) higher than average sensitivity of consciousness, nerves and senses. They take in more information from the world around them, and they do more with it. Highly sensitive people experience everything more intensely, sharply and consciously.
As a highly sensitive person, do you think there is something wrong with you? Do you believe you need “fixing”? Or do you find it challenging to be sensitive in a mainly non-sensitive world?
High sensitivity may seem a disadvantage in our hectic world, but there are certainly also advantages and fortunately there is a lot we can do to maximize the benefits and minimize the drawbacks. A first step is to recognize and accept that we have this trait, keeping in mind that there is nothing wrong with us, that it is simply the way we are. Then we can look into the subconscious beliefs we have about ourselves and our environment and transform possible limiting beliefs into empowering ones. I know from my own and other people’s experience that this can make a huge difference so let’s take a look at different areas we can work on.
What you believe about yourself
When I first heard about high sensitivity I sort of dismissed the idea as the latest fashion. However, I began to realise that it resonated with me. The more I read about it, the more sense it made. It perfectly explained why I don’t experience life the same way as most people around me, and why I get exhausted in situations other people consider normal. So after my first rejection I decided to look into my subconscious beliefs around being highly sensitive. I created affirmations about how I want to understand and experience myself, and I used PSYCH-K® to integrate these new beliefs in my system. This shift in perception marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life! If you want to do the same, here is a lovely affirmation to start with:
“I accept, love and appreciate myself just the way I am.”
The way you experience the world around you and connect with it
Let me tell you about Leo (not his real name), a lovely and brave person who used to have problems with busy places such as airports and crowded shopping malls. In a session with me he tells me that his profession requires travelling and attending conferences and that his sensitivity is really limiting him and affecting his sense of wellbeing. He is looking for a way to protect his sensitive body-mind system and says that he wants to be able to stay in his own energy. During his session he does a PSYCH-K® change process called a Balance for this beautiful goal statement he created:
“I am centred and peaceful in my own energy,
regardless of people or noise around me.”
A few days later he sends me the following message: “The day after my session I attended a networking event. I had a great time, really enjoyed the day and didn’t experience any social fatigue. The next day I had to pick up a friend from the airport which was mega-super busy and I was really surprised how relaxed I stayed while I stood there in this mass of agitated people. This made me so happy. I don’t think I would have been so relaxed if I hadn’t done the Balance.”
Notice that Leo didn’t want or try to change the world, he changed something in himself and as a consequence his experience of and relation with the world around him changed. Also notice that he didn’t choose not to be a highly sensitive person. He didn’t choose to change who or what he is; he just chose how to deal with a situation. He chose to be centred and peaceful in his own energy! This was his conscious choice and after the Balance this is now his default state.
The way you deal with trauma and other challenges
I am a student of the work of Dr. Gabor Maté and one of his famous quotes is:
“Trauma is not what happens to you; it is what happens inside of you
as a result of what happens to you.”
Maté says that trauma can be the result of things that happened that should never have happened, but also of things that should have happened but never happened.
My personal belief and experience is that many highly sensitive people deal with the negative consequences of the fact that when they were kids they were not being acknowledged for who they are and they didn’t get the support they needed to deal with their emotions.
At any stage of our life, but especially when we are young, things that happen to us cause us to draw conclusions and create believes about ourselves and others. As highly sensitive people feel deeper their conclusions are likely to be more profound and far-reaching. Fortunately, although the trauma will never not have happened, we can transform and heal what it made us believe about ourselves and the world around us. There are many ways to do this, and in my PSYCH-K® sessions you can do this at the level of your subconscious mind; that part of your mind that controls your automatic reactions and creates 95% of your life. Imagine what your life will look like if, for example, you believe that it is safe to be highly sensitive! Imagine transforming a sense of anxiety that has been with you for years, into a state of peace and calm. That’s what PSYCH-K® can do for you.
Burden or blessing, weakness or superpower?
Why is about 20-30 % of humanity more sensitive than the rest? Why does humanity need highly sensitive people? I believe that being sensitive is a fundamental part of being human. I also believe that high sensitivity is an evolutionary advantage which ensures the wellbeing and even survival of human communities. In many animals, including humans, those who perceive subtle changes in the environment and the individual members of their group before the others notice anything, are the ones who can keep the group safe. Those with the ability to think deeper are the ones who can understand what is going on when things don’t go well and find creative solutions.
As highly sensitive people we can (if we want) choose to play a beautiful role in our society. We can be guides, the ones who can know when something is beneficial or harmful before others realize this. We can be the ones who know someone needs help before others notice this. We can be the ones who bring the kindness everybody needs. We can do this where and when we want; at home, in our workplace, social groups, etcetera.
But most importantly, I believe it is fundamental to embrace our sensitivity, to accept, love and appreciate who we are, to celebrate our gifts and at the same time create our own special way to live and thrive in our society.
Look in the mirror, look deeply into your eyes, and say out loud:
“I embrace my high sensitivity.
I am grateful for this amazing gift which is my superpower!”
If this feels uncomfortable I invite you to contact me for a non-committal discovery call. Let’s get to know each other a bit and find out what I can do for you.
with love,
Annemiek