Why Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) Need to Create
As sensitive souls, we often experience deep feelings. Many of us struggle with knowing what to do with those feelings. Talking is one way to process them, but language may limit how we express the feelings we’re experiencing. In addition to verbal communication, creative expression may be an especially useful outlet for HSPs.
Creative processes allow us to process the subtleties in our world and the overstimulation that often comes along with them. That creativity can come in many forms, and the choice is yours.
Alright… first, let’s clarify what I mean when I say “creativity.”
As a visual artist and art therapist, my mind immediately turns to drawing, painting, and other visual art forms. However, creativity includes much more than those. It can include:
cooking
writing
designing
decorating
playing music
singing in the car
sculpting
Truly, you can create anything. The important part to remember is that creating does not necessarily mean that there is an “end product” or that the result is appealing or “beautiful” (whatever that means anyway).
Think back to when you were a child, or think about what you notice when you see a child. Kids generally feel less shame and judgement around creativity, and they’re genuinely curious about the world. You might notice that they explore, experiment, and create more intuitively than most adults. And, yes, digging in a sandbox or making splashes in a puddle count as creating.
Generally, children are more willing to freely express themselves as the need arises. We have those needs, too. Maybe they look a little different than a child’s playfulness, but we still need to process our emotions, observations, and experiences. Where, what, and how do you need to create?
