On a neurological level, when a person is considered sensitive, it’s not because they’re just emotional people who get sensitive over small things. I’m going to explain this to you on a nervous system level.
The Science Behind Sensitivity
These people are high-processing individuals. What does that mean? It means they process things quicker than the average person, because their nervous system is a little bit more extra sensitive. But in my opinion, that’s a superpower.
These people usually possess a degree of emotional intelligence. Why? Because they’re able to read the shifts in the room, pick up on energy, and feel the tone of people and the differences in them.
Reframing What “Sensitive” Means
When you hear someone call you sensitive, you need to reframe that. It’s not that you’re just sensitive—you’re actually someone who processes things higher and quicker than the average person.
The Orchid Theory
These types of people are considered orchids. Researcher Thomas Boyce basically states that people with highly sensitive nervous systems might get more anxiety and anxiousness when they’re in unhealthy, chaotic environments. But here’s the thing: when you put these people in environments that are supportive, loving, and full of connection, they bloom.
The Real Advantage
When a person has a highly sensitive nervous system and they’re high processors, that means they’re able to regulate and feel their emotions in real time, rather than the average person who typically pushes it away or suppresses it.
So the next time somebody calls you sensitive, please know you’re just a high processor. That’s not a weakness—it’s a different way of experiencing the world, and in the right conditions, it’s a gift.
