Sensitivity as Strength: Why Your Perception Is a Gift, Not a Flaw -- Part 11 of Narcissistic Abuse Blog Series
- Randi Camirand
- Jan 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 24
When the Spell Breaks: Healing After Narcissistic Abuse
You weren’t too sensitive.
You were perceptive in an unsafe environment.
For survivors of narcissistic or emotionally abusive relationships, sensitivity is often framed as a weakness. You may have been told you were “too much,” “overreacting,” or “too emotional.”
These messages can make you doubt yourself and your instincts.
The truth is: your sensitivity is a strength, and it has always served you—even if it didn’t feel safe to express it.
Sensitivity Is a Survival Skill
In unsafe or unpredictable environments, being attuned to subtle cues is essential for survival. Your nervous system learned to notice tone of voice, body language, and emotional shifts to protect you. That hyper-awareness, which may have been exhausting in abusive contexts, is actually a remarkable tool for discernment and self-preservation.
When you lived with someone who manipulated, dismissed, or invalidated you, your sensitivity was your compass. It helped you anticipate danger, navigate emotional landmines, and protect yourself from harm.
Protecting, Not Fixing, Your Sensitivity
Healing doesn’t require “fixing” your sensitivity. It requires protecting and honoring it.
That means:
Setting boundaries that respect your energy
Choosing environments and relationships where your perception is valued
Learning to self-soothe and regulate your nervous system when overstimulation occurs
Sensitivity becomes a gift once it’s paired with safety and self-care, rather than shame or suppression.
Sensitivity as Empowerment
When you embrace your perceptiveness, you reclaim autonomy. You begin to see:
You don’t need to dim yourself to feel safe
You can trust your instincts without apology
Your empathy and awareness are assets, not liabilities
This shift transforms sensitivity from a source of vulnerability into a core strength that guides your choices, relationships, and healing journey.
A Simple Practice to Honor Your Sensitivity
Here’s a brief practice to reconnect with your perceptive gifts:
Pause and notice: When you feel heightened awareness of a situation or person, simply acknowledge it.
Label your perception: Silently say, I notice this. My awareness is valid.
Create gentle boundaries: Decide what action, if any, you need to take to protect your energy.
Affirm your strength: Remind yourself, My sensitivity is my guide, not my fault.
Repeating this practice strengthens your trust in yourself and reinforces that your perceptiveness is a valuable part of your identity.
Moving Forward With Compassion
Your sensitivity is not a flaw to fix or hide. It is a gift to cherish, cultivate, and protect. By honoring it, you reclaim power that may have been diminished in unsafe relationships, and you lay the foundation for relationships, environments, and choices that support your well-being.
Sensitivity is your strength. Always has been. Always will be.
You are not alone. I am available for individual sessions, when you are ready.
In the meantime, here are some Resources For Your Healing Journey:
Read blog posts from my series When the Spell Breaks: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse. https://www.randicamirand.com/blog/categories/healing-from-narcissistic-abuse
Follow my Women’s Wintering Well Series on Instagram for almost daily self-care reminders. https://www.instagram.com/randicamirand/
10 Grounding Practices for Women
Visit my Homepage www.randicamirand.com
Learn more About Me and My Approach https://www.randicamirand.com/about
Learn about my Women’s Online Meditation Classes and email sign up to receive notifications. https://www.randicamirand.com/womens-meditation-classes
Check out The Blog for therapy insights and self-help tips.
