According to Snow, highly sensitive people may relate to these:
- Has been called "too sensitive" or "too emotional" throughout their life
- Feels more deeply than others in their life
- Needs more time to "warm up" when meeting new people or starting new activities such as school, a job, a hobby, a workout class, etc.
- Rereads texts or emails before sending them as a way to process
- Feels deeply connected to animals, nature, music, the arts, spirituality, or religion
- Picks up on what others are feeling or notices nonverbal cues others miss
- Prefers soft, comfy clothing and quiet spaces
- May scream if accidentally startled
- After a busy day, they just want to go somewhere to be alone and quiet
- Is very conscientious and wants to do things right; doesn't like when others point out mistakes
- Feels annoyed or frazzled when you have to do too much at once time
- Has vivid dreams or a colourful imagination
- Has an overall sensitive nervous system (sensitive to temperature changes, loud noises like sirens, sugar or caffeine, etc.)
Our emotional selves may be a bit more sensitive than other people's. We may cry at a commercial, the sound of a baby crying, or seeing something traumatic in a movie like animal cruelty or a sick child, Snow explained. Being highly sensitive has the advantage of having heightened perception and intuition, which allow HSPs to soak up the little joys that others miss, and feel deeply connected to the people in their lives.