Marriage and the Highly Sensitive Person
Being a Highly Sensitive Person is challenging enough in this world, but in a relationship where our partner doesn’t understand what that means can feel hopeless! There is hope yet, because clear communication of an HSPs differences from a non HSP lead to understanding, and when understanding, love, commitment and willingness meet, this is when the magic happens.
First, are you or your spouse a highly sensitive person?
Apparently about 20% of the population are HSPs. If you find that you are easily overwhelmed with external stimuli then you might be. Things like: smells, noise, lights, crowds, situations where there is a lot going on all at once, feel other people’s emotions,have difficulty with getting enough personal space around others leaving you feel drained.
These sensitivities can seem to make life very difficult, as HSPs tend to look for and avoid the things that bother them everywhere they go. Their radar becomes extra vigilant, easily triggering them into fight or flight, often leaving them feeling drained from stress and anxiety.
In a relationship with a non HSP this can be difficult because HSPs perceive the world quite differently and have different needs. The partners of HSPs often see them as oversensitive or overactive, but it is just the way HSPs are built. Once being an HSP is understood and embraced, it can actually lead to a much more joyful life. This is because the HSPs are actually much more consciously aware and in-tune with their immediate environment, and can use their sensitivities to guide them away from disharmony, and towards harmony.
It is important to open up the line of communication with a non HSP
In the relationship, if you are an HSP and your partner is not, it is important to open up the line of communication with them to learn how each of you perceives and receives the world. Once there is understudying on these levels, then instead of there always being misunderstandings that lead to either one, or both people not getting their needs met, balance can then be created through loving acceptance and compromise.
It is like a relationship with one person being an introvert and the other an extrovert. The first feeds and recharges on quiet alone time, and the other on being around lots of people socially. This can seem like it is impossible to balance so each other gets what they need and want, but in fact, it can lead to a very rich experience if the couple learns and gets to know each other’s world. Diversity is what fuels passion, flow and excitement in life. Imagine experiencing a new world that you never knew existed, just by allowing yourself to join your spouse in the world that they live in!
Like being a child experiencing something you have never seen before…. wow, the wonder in that!
So if you find this article resonates, or touches you deep inside, chances are you or your partner is an HSP, and there is some fun and new exploring to do that will open up your relationship to more love and joy in embracing each other’s differences!
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