"You're so sensitive"
A gift and a shadow
My relationship with sensitivity has always been… complex.
It’s both the thing that fills me with awe and the thing that can undo me.
The way I feel flooded with love when I’m fully present with my kids.
The way a walk through the forest can feel like a wondrous feast for my senses.
The way synchronicities seem to shimmer everywhere when I’m open and attuned.
But it can also be heavy, like carrying too much.
Feeling the pain of others as though it’s my own.
Getting overstimulated by the noise, the light, the emotions swirling around me.
My body reacting loudly to the smallest shifts. It gets real.
Do you relate?
The world we live in isn’t built for sensitive beings.
It rewards speed, output, achievement.
And so, we learn to adapt - to toughen up, to push through, to quiet what’s tender.
To meet the world’s pace even when it grates against our natural rhythm.
But at what cost?
When you suppress your sensitivity, you also suppress your magic -
your creativity, your intuition, your sensuality, your connection to life itself.
That was me for most of my adult life.
Always striving, achieving, ticking boxes - new jobs, promotions, milestones -
hoping the next thing would bring peace, belonging, meaning.
The whisper was always there under the surface though: slow down, look inwards.
It turns out that when you start to allow the sensitivity in and dial it up, it becomes a portal - to clarity, power and creative life force.
The journey towards reclaiming my sensitivity has meant unlearning the old ways including saying no when something doesn’t serve me, protecting my energy and starting my days with presence and magnetism rather than my to-do list or emails.
“The best artists tend to be the ones with the most sensitive antennae to draw in the energy resonating at a particular moment. Many great artists first develop sensitive antennae not to create art but to protect themselves. They have to protect themselves because everything hurts more. They feel everything more deeply.”
Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being
A few simple ways you can water the roots of your sensitivity and let your aliveness flow:
Start your day with something, anything, lights you up, that softens you, that inspires you. For some, it might be a walk in nature. For others it might be reading a few pages from a book or moving/swaying your body to music you love.
The point is: try not to start your day with logistics, phones, emails, to-do list. That kicks your left brain into gear as well as the anxiety, worrying and ‘not-enoughness’. The same goes for the end of the day.
Free-write for five minutes (or longer). Set a timer. Let your hand move. It doesn’t need to make sense - you can rip it up afterwards.
Stop and smell the flowers. Literally. Notice beauty and let yourself receive it — savour, enjoy, allow it in.
Create small altars around your home. Autumn leaves, a flower, a candle, some shells, some sweet smelling oil — reminders of your sensuality, of nature, of what’s sacred and beautiful to you.
Dialling up your sensitivity is a long game. It’s not a quick-fix formula. But oh, is it worth it.
Your clarity sharpens.
Your creativity expands.
Your pleasure deepens.
Your aliveness returns.
How does being sensitive sound now?
Many of my clients are deeply feeling, sensitive women.
Instead of rushing for quick results (which never last), we build nervous system capacity — by softening, slowing down, and learning to move toward your dreams with grace, not force.
When your sensitivity is nurtured, it becomes your power source.
Your magnetism.
Your art.
Your way back to yourself.
I’d love to hear from you if this post resonates and I’ll make sure to respond:)
If you’re curious about working with me, my 4 month coaching container is currently open and I’d love to find out where you’re at and how I can help you dial up your sensitivity, inner confidence and aliveness to take steps towards your vision.
What’s moved me lately
Podcast episode how feelings only last 90 seconds (start at 13 min)
Any Studio Ghibli film - so much beauty and sensitivity. Watched Arrietty yesterday with the girls.
Anouk is a coach that helps big-hearted ambitious women reclaim their creative life force so they can take bold steps towards their desires. Find out more here.
This was balm for my soul. Thank you thank you!