Julia you hit the nail on the head, this is 1000% my experience, and something I've noticed is before I was aware of this I used to binge and isolate, or work out like crazy and restrict everything - but now after learning the language of my body, similar to you, I instead turn to yoga, meditation, journaling and psychedelics (most of the time). So thankful for the clarity I've gained around this experience, thanks for naming it so beautifully! Also, I too have a hummingbird tattoo for similar reasons.. :)
Great post. It took me until I was almost 40 to understand that I am a highly sensitive empath, not knowing how to navigate the world caused me to abuse opiates for years, they were the one thing that made me feel normal. Luckily I got off them 7+ years ago and delved into my psyche to learn how to listen to my soul.
Thank you! And thank you for naming that it made you feel normal...I very much resonate with that. It's crazy how so many of us can live so estranged from our true nature for such a long time, but our culture really is geared toward concealing it ❤️🩹
Great article - as a neurosensitive, with 2 young boys who are as well, our entire family system is oriented around nervous system regulation. We've found it tough to exist in a world not built for us, but teaching them adaptability and honoring their experiences has liberated me, too. <3
Thank you Kerry! Well your boys are incredibly lucky because it's such an exception to grow up with a caretaker has this awareness and intention to nurture it 😍
Ah my orchid self appreciates this so much. I’m 44 years old and only in the last three years have I learned how to nurture, honor, and take care of my sensitivity.
I'm so glad to hear that, Abigail -- it's never too late and just from reading some of the other comments it's unfortunately so common that we discover it only later in life. But in some ways I feel like I started a second life when I learned this about myself 🥰
wow, what a raw, vulnerable, clear, fierce, sense-making read. thank you julia. bookmarked and will re-read. you are a fabulous writer.
thank you dear Eva 🫶🫶
This is exactly what I needed to read right now.
Thank you so much for articulating such a heavy and complex topic with clarity and grace.
Thank you Neil I'm glad to hear that it came to you at the right time 🙏
Julia you hit the nail on the head, this is 1000% my experience, and something I've noticed is before I was aware of this I used to binge and isolate, or work out like crazy and restrict everything - but now after learning the language of my body, similar to you, I instead turn to yoga, meditation, journaling and psychedelics (most of the time). So thankful for the clarity I've gained around this experience, thanks for naming it so beautifully! Also, I too have a hummingbird tattoo for similar reasons.. :)
Hi Alyssa ohh wow hello humming bird sister 😍 Love that so much for us! And thank you for sharing 🙏
This was my best read of 2026 so far. Later I will try to express another words of gratitude to you because you deserve it! <3
Wow Claudio thank you so much for the kind words, so happy to hear that you enjoyed it 😇
Great post. It took me until I was almost 40 to understand that I am a highly sensitive empath, not knowing how to navigate the world caused me to abuse opiates for years, they were the one thing that made me feel normal. Luckily I got off them 7+ years ago and delved into my psyche to learn how to listen to my soul.
Thank you! And thank you for naming that it made you feel normal...I very much resonate with that. It's crazy how so many of us can live so estranged from our true nature for such a long time, but our culture really is geared toward concealing it ❤️🩹
Great article - as a neurosensitive, with 2 young boys who are as well, our entire family system is oriented around nervous system regulation. We've found it tough to exist in a world not built for us, but teaching them adaptability and honoring their experiences has liberated me, too. <3
Thank you Kerry! Well your boys are incredibly lucky because it's such an exception to grow up with a caretaker has this awareness and intention to nurture it 😍
What a lovely article! This content helps explain so much and gives me 'tools' for navigating all the inputs my life presents! You are a blessing!
Thank you Jerry, so glad to hear that you've found it helpful! Appreciate your kind words 🙏
Ah my orchid self appreciates this so much. I’m 44 years old and only in the last three years have I learned how to nurture, honor, and take care of my sensitivity.
I'm so glad to hear that, Abigail -- it's never too late and just from reading some of the other comments it's unfortunately so common that we discover it only later in life. But in some ways I feel like I started a second life when I learned this about myself 🥰
What a wonderfully validating article. Thank you so much for writing this. :)
Thank you Kimberly for your kind words and for being here!! 🙏