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Newsletter

Hey 👋

Let’s talk about something that might explain a lot, why you feel things so deeply, why certain environments overwhelm you, and why being in this world as a queer person can sometimes feel like too much to carry.

You might be what’s called a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), someone whose nervous system is more finely tuned to the world around them. And if you’re also LGBTQ+, that sensitivity shows up in ways that are important to notice, understand, and care for.

What does “highly sensitive” actually mean?

Being an HSP isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a trait found in about 20% of the population; it's a way of processing the world, and it simply means your nervous system takes in more.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• You process things deeply. You might consider things for a long time or pick up on deeper meanings.
• You get overstimulated easily. Loud sounds, crowds, strong smells, or too many decisions at once don't feel good.
• You feel things strongly. Both your own emotions and those of other people.
• You notice the small stuff. Physical language, changes in tone, little details, your brain is always scanning.

When you’re both sensitive and LGBTQ+

If you’re queer and highly sensitive, you’re living with two layers of complexity. Maybe you:

• Feel things more intensely, whether it’s joy or pain.
• Pick up on social tension and microaggressions that others might not notice, but you do, and it hurts.
• Struggle with identity development, because coming out, exploring gender, or being in relationships can feel bigger, deeper, and way more emotionally loaded.
• Get overstimulated by big queer events like Pride, even though you want to be there and feel connected.

All of this doesn't mean that you're too sensitive. What helps is awareness, understanding and knowing how to support yourself to thrive, not just survive. It's highly likely that:

• You’re intuitive, creative, empathetic, and thoughtful.
• You probably notice beauty, nuance, and emotion in ways that others don't.
• You might be a natural artist, writer, healer, activist, or community builder.

Your sensitivity isn’t something to hide. It’s something to nurture.

So what helps your sensitive system?

Here are a few reminders for taking care of your queer, sensitive self:

✔️ Build rest into your routine. It’s not laziness, it’s recovery.

✔️ Curate your spaces. Soothing lighting, soft clothes, calming playlists: they matter.

✔️ Learn to say no. You don’t owe your energy to every event, person, or cause.

✔️ Spend time with people who get it. Whether online or in person, your nervous system needs connection that feels safe.

✔️ Let yourself feel things. There’s power in your depth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

In a world that often celebrates hustle, competition, and toughness, being someone who feels and cares deeply is a quiet act of resistance.

📖 Read the full post here​

Thank you for being here. If there's a topic you'd like me to cover, just hit reply and let me know!

Until next time, take care 💛
​Aimee (she/her)​
​Founder @sensitiveandqueer