highly sensitive person

[shootingstar]

I stumbled across this term last night while reading through a local school's adult continuing education pamphlet.

It really makes sense now, how I can't stand strong perfumes and other strong smells like popcorn and garlic, how I have to sleep with ear plugs and eye shades, how I cry watching commercials, how I crave alone time, and how I've suffered with anxiety most of my life.

I just never knew that it was an actual personality trait.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highly_sensitive_person

here's a test to see if you're HSP

I attribute my perfume sensitivity simply because all my loved ones plus growing up in a family where no one wore perfume regularily. And I seldom wear makeup.

I used to pick up strong food smells, like garlic. But no longer. Probably because we use it nearly daily in our supper dish(es). I used to really taste a tiny amount of fresh ginger root in a savoury dish for 8 people. Now, I barely taste it because we use it nearly daily in our cooking.

And I always enjoy some alone time....I attribute this to being the oldest kid who went off in her own corner and did her own thing as escape from 5 younger siblings and rowdiness.

But maybe you are sensitive, badger after all. But you are a good person.