Are You Too Sensitive?
Have you been told this? Do you ever wish you didn’t experience such strong emotions that seem to show up without warning? “Sensitivity” often gets a bad rap, but it can actually be seen as the strength that it is. In their book Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World, Jenn Granneman and Andre Solo aim to correct common misunderstandings about what it means to be a sensitive person. In the process, they hope to end the stigma of being “too sensitive.”
Granneman and Solo define sensitivity as a “heightened ability to perceive, process, and respond deeply to one’s environment.” In other words, sensitive people take in more information and process it more intensely.
Born to Be Sensitive
Both genetics and early environment play a role in shaping sensitivity. Numerous studies have found a link between genetics and heightened reactivity. It’s also easy to see how environmental factors, such as growing up in an unsafe home, can make sensitivity a useful survival strategy, allowing someone to notice even the most subtle cues of potential danger.
Granneman and Solo describe several positive attributes of highly sensitive people, including empathy, sensory intelligence, and depth of emotion. “Sensitive people have empathy in spades, so much so that the difference can be seen in brain scans,” they write. Sensitive people are more likely to notice suffering and take action to ease it in others.
They also tend to have greater sensory intelligence, since they are constantly taking in more information from their environment. This awareness can lead to wiser decisions and more thoughtful choices.
Wired to Connect
Higher sensitivity brings a deeper range of emotion, which can strengthen connections. While this depth can feel overwhelming at times, when managed well it fosters more meaningful relationships. For instance, a child’s bond with a caregiver grows stronger when the adult is attuned to the child’s needs, helping the child develop secure attachment.
“If you’re sensitive, your deep emotionality is why you’re an exceptional listener, why people naturally trust you, and why you’re probably the go-to confidant when anyone in your friend group needs advice,” the authors note.
To manage the challenges of sensitivity, they suggest recognizing overwhelm early and taking breaks, using calming sensory input like soothing music, and maintaining clear boundaries. Learning to say “no” is essential, and making time for laughter and play can help restore balance.
Embracing Sensitivity
“Rather than seeing sensitivity as a weakness, we need to start seeing it for what it actually is, a strength,” write the authors. “It’s time we embrace sensitivity and all it has to offer.”
It takes real courage to stay close to our feelings. There will always be moments when going through life without armor feels difficult, but the connections and authenticity we gain in return make the effort worthwhile.
