Many people cringe at the word sensitive, thinking it’s the same as saying “weak.” I feel it’s an under-appreciation for the gifts that sensitive souls bring to the world, almost shaming us for having feelings.
If sensitive souls also experienced sexual trauma, this might be even more frustrating because we face the stigmas of society as a survivor and sensitive soul. I welcome you to join me as we explore how being a sensitive survivor is beautiful, and how these unique gifts create more creativity and intuition in healing.
Sensitive souls aren’t easily broken – they just feel deeply.
This source explores how the word sensitive derives from Latin, meaning to feel, or “felt.”
To be a sensitive person is to feel, perhaps more deeply and intensely than others.
Many sensitive souls gravitate toward healing practices involving creativity. This is in their nature. Yoga is a movement based practice, allowing freedom of expression without making survivors feel pressure to speak about their experience. It’s a way to tune in and to do what comes so naturally: to feel deeply.
Sensitive souls are also more aligned with their intuition, and are more likely to have a dominant Vata (air) dosha, the Ayurvedic element for creativity and movement. This makes it easier to reach higher states of meditation, but also more prone to anxiety. Their empathetic nature can be turned inward, expressing the natural love they give so easily to others onto themselves.
It may seem like being sensitive is to only have weaknesses, but sensitive souls love creativity, and this is an amazing gift.
The most beautiful art often arises from a deep, felt place. It seems that those who believe in tangible results, emotionless progress, and hustling over resting get all the glory in society. But art creates beauty. With no art, we’d live in concrete buildings with overgrown weeds and eat bland food. We’d listen to our car’s engine on the way to work and watch the news…and not much else.
We couldn’t innovate because the world would be stuck in its ways. Creativity is a true gift, but all this beauty comes at a price: judgment. As soon as a piece of art, new recipe, dance routine, or song releases, there is instant scrutiny. Does it measure up? Is it better than others? What’s wrong here?
And interestingly, this judgment leads back to the sensitive soul, sending the subtle message that they’re not doing enough by being creative or feeling deeply. There is no “progress” with being creative.
But, in the words of Brené Brown (Researcher, Author, Speaker):
“I’m not very creative” doesn’t work. There’s no such thing as creative people and non-creative people. There are only people who use their creativity and people who don’t. Unused creativity doesn’t just disappear. It lives within us until it’s expressed, neglected to death, or suffocated by resentment and fear. The only unique contribution that we will ever make in this world will be born of our creativity. If we want to make meaning, we need to make art. Cook, write, draw, doodle, paint, scrapbook, take pictures, collage, knit, rebuild an engine, sculpt, dance, decorate, act, sing—it doesn’t matter. As long as we’re creating, we’re cultivating meaning.”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
Sensitive souls love searching for meaning, feeling, and connection. I find it brave of sensitive souls to be so creative, because it truly is unknown. And this is why being your natural self is a true gift on your healing journey. You’re able to more easily harness your creativity to create meaning from experiences.
You feel deeply because you’re brave enough to feel. You create art because you’re brave enough to be different, explore something new, and create meaning. You have strong empathy because you feel how much is missing from the world, and you’re brave enough to sit through the awkwardness of being present, because you know how much it heals.
Sensitive souls might think their vulnerable, creative, kind nature is what caused their trauma. This is wildly untrue.
There is nothing you did or didn’t do that caused your trauma. You didn’t make anyone do anything just because of who you are. 100% of blame belongs to them. They made a decision, and they could’ve chosen differently. It wasn’t your fault then, it isn’t now, and it will never be your fault.
Sensitive souls may feel like who they are is an obstacle to overcome on their healing journey. We feel on such a deep level. But here is where their strength flourishes:
To feel is to heal. We can’t logic our way out of moving through grief. It asks to be felt in order to be released. It may seem unfair how much grief we feel, but every tear is a release. It’s a step toward healing.
Being creative is a way to release. Many survivors don’t feel comfortable talking about their experience. I always encourage that survivors explore as many healing modalities as they choose, because healing is unique to each individual. However, being creative allows survivors to move through their traumas and feel what needs to be felt instead of analyzing every piece. This is a wonderful addition to any care plan.
Your empathy will extend to yourself. It may take time, but there comes a moment when you talk to yourself like you would someone else when they’re upset. This is difficult for most people, but empathy comes naturally to sensitive souls.
Sensitive souls are more likely to have a stronger intuition. This is powerful for healing your mind and body connection. I understand how survivors may feel like their intuition failed them, but I offer a compassionate reminder that intuition does not mean predicting the future. I believe intuition is more about trusting our paths and hearts. If we tune in deeply, we can hear the faint truth. We are worthy of healing and to trust again. Overtime, this intuition grows stronger, and you’ll understand what serves you in healing, and what doesn’t. It also makes sense why sensitives can reach higher levels of meditation: intuition is part of your third eye chakra, one of the subtle body chakras.
Being a sensitive survivor doesn’t mean you were more vulnerable or being dramatic about your experience. It means you prefer depth, embrace feeling, and express through creativity. In a world that shames both sensitive people and survivors, some days can feel like an uphill battle.
I welcome you a friendly reminder that it’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to be upset if you didn’t have the support you needed. It’s normal to feel sadness for who you could’ve been if this never happened. You’re not at fault because others didn’t support or believe you. I’m sorry you had to go through your experience, because no one deserves to. You deserved so much better. To be respected, honored, and to have autonomy over yourself. You’re not a bad person because bad things happened, and there is nothing wrong with you.
You are a beautiful person because you choose to heal. You may have made mistakes on your journey, but that’s okay. No one gets healing right from the start.
The only person I will ever mention forgiving is yourself and doing so in your time. I welcome you to forgive yourself for doing the best you could with the knowledge you had.
You are so much more than what happened. I understand how much this type of trauma affects our minds, bodies, and souls. So, I’d like to end by saying thank you for being here. And not just within this post, but by choosing to be here. In this world, continuing to choose yourself.
Your sensitivity is a gift.
Take good care.
