Posted in Anxiety, Emotions, Empath, Inspiration

The shadow side of being a highly sensitive person

Posted on by RhapsodyBoheme

Photo by Roy Reyna on Pexels.com

I am one that feels deeply, perhaps too deep at times. I am one that picks up on emotions as well as vibrations. Maybe you are as well and if so, then this post is written for you to help light the path.

We talked about Empath’s and Shadow work, and what it’s like to absorb the energy of others. Being an empath also comes with a great deal of being a highly sensitive person. That in turn comes with a shadow side and hurt feelings and emotions are often the result of it and trapped if not properly recognized and cleared.

Here is a list you might identify with…

  • You have good instincts, but often don’t let yourself trust them
  • You bottle up anger and the end up lashing out unintentionally
  • You do things you’re not comfortable with to avoid upsetting anyone
  • You have a hard time not taking things personally
  • You read into things too much and get stuck in overthinking
  • You u can easily fall into putting other people’s needs way above your own
  • You frequently second guess your choices
  • You try to make other people happy / often to your own detriment
  • You don’t take as good fare of yourself as you deserve
  • You overly blame yourself for things that aren’t your fault

It was during my February recap that listed what worked, what got better, and what got worse. Looking back and recapping these successes and what one might consider opportunities and shortcomings had become an essential part of my life. I believe it has found an important place in my life. One that is needed to stay in consciousness and awareness, to not let too much time pass before changing course, and one that allows you to celebrate progress as you put all the pieces together.

These days I work to embrace my vulnerability and shadow side as a precious gift. Being a highly sensitive person allows you to feel so much more. Feeling is the essence of being alive. It allows emotions others are not capable of, in mere existence. I want to be alive and not just exist, and feeling deeply is what is required. Relax and trust the process, it doesn’t have to be scary or bad. It never is if you focus on the positive.

Author:

We are the co-creators of our life and the time is now. More than ever are we needed to support Mother Earth and each other. Together we discover and explore our unique gifts in times of strengths, in times we lean on each other, and in times when we learn from each other. This blog started as an outlet and what I ultimately called my “Warriors Journey.” It was a way to document the ups and downs of my life, sharing my hardships as well as my successes. It showcased the struggles, but more important the ways of how to overcome them. Although we are warriors each and every day, I realized that having to be a warrior, comes from a place of pain. I decided to rename this blog, and “Phoenix Rising” now stands for the story of overcoming such a painful place. My motivation for this blog hasn’t changed and I hope to share inspiration and hope, to create a sense of belonging, a space of being heard, and connecting with like minded beings who instill a sense of oneness. We are never alone, and we are unstoppable in the pursuit of what sets our soul on fire. Who I am in a nutshell... 
I am an energy healer and Reiki Master. I am surviving a chronic disease that I’ve sent into remission three times since my initial bout, 15 years ago. I continuously challenge the status quo and by doing so I change my stars. I am a believer that anything is possible. I am a hopeless romantic and I believe that true love exists on various levels. I am an optimist that will always see the glass as half full. I am a dreamer, believing in endless possibilities. Not even the sky is the limit. I have jumped off of the hamster wheel, and I am writing a new chapter. I am chasing my Nirvana to support my most authentic self. This is my story, I am that Phoenix and I am rising from the ashes. Namaste 🙏🏼💙🦋

26 thoughts on “The shadow side of being a highly sensitive person”

  1. “want to be alive and not just exist.” Those words have been so much a part of my own life. Taking care of my family, cooking, cleaning, and living for them is something women (especially ones in the US) have been trained to do since the 50’s. We are told over and over that we have given well adjusted children to the world, our kitchen is where our art takes place, and honestly, it palls. Which is a part of where my post today is from! lol To go beyond myself into the person I am meant to be or the person I’d like to be…

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    1. I know they have and I can feel the impact they have on you. It reminds me so much of myself and a few years back when I started to question everything, wondering if that was all life had to offer me. I felt stuck in a routine, taking for granted, working myself to death. For what? It’s been a journey ever since, shedding these conditionings and what we are trained to believe. It’s been an unlearning and letting go of the values I once held that were never mine but those imposed by on me by others.
      Eventually the desire to be yourself or the person you want to be becomes to great to ignore the call. Unfortunately for many of us a heck of a lot of time passes until then and yet better late than never still applies and makes all the difference. Sending love and strengths your way. 💙

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  3. And the more you get dragged through the difficulties of this world, the more empathy, compassion and love you will feel and understand….because you too have been there and understand it only too well in others. And because you don’t want them to suffer as you have, you help…them all. And we have to learn we can give, but not to everyone or we too begin to stand where they are…but inside ourselves…again. We are indeed attracting all that ‘stuff’ because that is exactly what we put out there. We want to help the world, so the world comes knocking. A negative loop. Change that loop and the world will be attracted elsewhere. Do you first and then give from that place dear lady, as you have now begun to do in letting it all go. Your journey is doing you and that very light will begin to shine wherever you go ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

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    1. Definitely a loop of ups and downs sometimes. I’m currently on the upswing, strangely considering, but I’m planning to hold on to it as long as I can. But even when the downs hit, it is part of the journey and beautiful things are born out of adversity. 💙🙏🏼🦋

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    1. I agree not knowing these truths about myself made it so much more difficult to process what was really happening. Finally all the struggle to fit in dissolved, when I recognized the true power in the sensitivity and vulnerability. It does take time to learn to live skilfully with that knowing.

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      1. The same happened to me and all of a sudden there was no desire to hold on to what I once seemed so important. Now it seemed like those very things caused a lot of turmoil within and I got to trust the disruption 😉

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      3. I think I have as well. It just didn’t always have a name and this one fits perfectly. I feel like a rebel of disruption, fighting for what I believe in and what fits ME vs. the expectations of others. I’m wearing it like a badge of honor these days and if it can touch people along the way, better yet. 😉

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    2. So very true my friend and once we understand some of the resistance and struggle falls away too. It’s always easier once we are in tune with the inner workings and the why’s. Thank you for sharing and enjoy your Sunday. 💙☺️🙏🏼

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      1. Excellent comments and conversation. I agree with all of the points you’ve both brought up. My experience was very similar. It is a fascinating and empowering experience to see notions of ourselves dissolve in the clarity of who we really are. Beautiful, my friends.🙏❤😊🌹

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      2. It’s so wonderful to share this and be seen and heard by like minded souls. It’s like the warmest welcome as we celebrate and joyfully embrace another soul who has walked this path. I’m in amazing company. Thank you kindly. 🙏🏼💙

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  6. Thought-provoking and insightful as always, Rhapsody. One hopes, that, with wisdom and experience as time goes by, one can find a balance, with a degree of introspection, without over-thinking it and without dwelling on those past mistakes that we have all made. And your last paragraph, so very true, we don’t want to be heartless unfeeling zombies. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Awe so beautifully summarized Steve. I couldn’t agree more and appreciate you sharing your input here and with me. There is a lot of wisdom between your lines as well and I can see your journey, for it surely requires one to arrive at this point. 🙏🏼💙

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