I always knew I was sensitive, but learning what it meant to be a Highly Sensitive Person didn’t come until I was a few years into my career. I became fascinated by sensitivity as a personality trait in the book, Wired To Create, which led me to read Elaine Aron’s book The Highly Sensitive Person—a must read if you relate (or even think you may). I didn’t know it at the time, but my sensitivity is a big reason I choose a freelance career! It was actually an awful experience at a new job that operated pretty much in opposition to my sensitivity in every way, and as Aron put it, I wanted the freedom to work “in my own style”. The work habits of highly sensitive people are often very different than those who aren’t as sensitive, but not every HSP is the same either! Here are 5 types of careers that HSPs generally thrive in, but keep in mind—you may not connect deeply with all of them; I certainly don’t…
5 Types of Careers Highly Sensitive People Thrive in
A career that closely aligns with their values
HSPs are often value-driven people. Their empathetic nature is often reflected in a strong moral compass. Whether that value is connection, love, creativity, or support—they have trouble doing, let alone making a career out of anything that doesn’t align with these deeply held beliefs. When their work contrasts with these values, they can become unhappy and/or unproductive in their jobs. I know for me personally, I have to have some degree of passion for the work I’m doing—if not, I go from a super driven, dedicated professional to a lost, deflated, and unmotivated one!
A career where compassion is the greatest asset
Highly Sensitive People thrive in careers that play to their strengths, and one of the strongest characteristics of an HSP is their capacity for compassion! This sensitivity to the needs of others helps them excel in careers where they can be of support to those who need it most, like healthcare professions, therapists or counselors, or those supporting their communities. That said, these careers can also be incredibly draining for an HSP—especially empaths—because it’s easy for them to internalize the stressful situations that surround them. But as Aron explains in The Highly Sensitive Person, it is exactly these careers that need the gifts of sensitivity.
A creative freelance career
Creative freelance careers can be great for HSPs for many reasons—
1) You control your schedule & workload, and can adjust as needed
2) For the most part, you choose what you take on – you can make sure this aligns with your core beliefs or compassionate nature
3) You control your surroundings – for example, I would frequently get headaches and tension after a day’s work in my past office jobs. Being sensitive to fluorescent light, all the clamor of an office full of people, and the need for a more ergonomic work setup took a toll on my mood and energy as an HSP!
4) Not all highly sensitive people are introverts, but many of them are. Working for yourself can actually increase your efficiency, communication skills, and satisfaction with work because you’re not forced into the many social situations that come with traditional workplace.
Careers that prioritize 1:1 communication
Highly Sensitive People thrive in situations where they can make connections with others in 1:1 or small group settings because without all of the external stimuli (mentioned above), they can better focus on interpersonal relationships. Sensitives are adept at anticipating the needs of others, listening, and problem solving, which are just a few of the assets they bring to the conversations in the workplace.
Careers that respect work/life balance
To preface this, I definitely believe that WE ALL deserve a proper work/life balance. But unfortunately, our culture doesn’t exactly support that. Some people are more deeply affected by the blurred lines of work and life than others, and I believe a lot of this has to do with sensitivity. Sensitives need time to reflect, disconnect, and recover from their work, and taking work home with them or having to be “on call” doesn’t allow them to do that. They need to regain that energy that is lost during a day facing external stimuli, experiencing the emotions of others, and doing things according to a process that wasn’t designed for them!
Final thoughts. You may have noticed that I wasn’t very specific in the careers Highly Sensitive People thrive in. That’s because while we HSPs have sensitivity in common, we’re all still individuals with different skills, passions, and needs! For example, my sister is an HSP and our careers and interests could not be more different. Yet, we still relate to the words above, and find common ground in our sensitivity.
Are you an HSP? Let me know if you relate!
Fantastic blog, Angela. I highly relate and I’m keen to learn more about being an HSP & empath. I’ve taken the creative freelance route with plenty of 1:1 work in alignment with my values.
Thanks so much Ashleigh! 1:1 is so much better to me 🙂
Thank you for this. This might be the reason why I love my job so much since I started it after I graduated from college back in 2011. I am a Freelance Virtual Assistant by the way. Hope you can visit my blog too: https://joancabras.com ..
Thank you.
Posted on my facebook page!
Thanks so much!
I really relate to this blog. Thanks so much for sharing
I felt so seen reading this. Gave me greater compassion for myself thinking back to a few years ago when I was a public elementary school teacher. I literally just realized I might be HSP two days ago! 🙈
I have been crying since I was tiny. I’m known for it!
Highly sensitive is the only explanation for this deep concern and unconditional love I have for the human race. boy does it hurt!
Yes I cry so much! And the best part is where not wrong or too much as HSP’s! We’re beautiful and powerful!
I couldn’t agree more with your description of the HSP and careers they are suited for. I would describe myself as a HSP and I am most definitely an introvert. I am
a foster care and adoptions social worker. There is a definite need to be compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others, in this field. When my resource families are in crisis, I carry their stress with me till they’re regulated again.
My job allows me to create my own schedule, as well as where and when I will meet with my families and youth. Having this level of control over my schedule has allowed me to meet the needs of my own family, and the needs of others. I love my job. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Hi Angela,
I’ve more recently come to the realization of my HSP type and it has shined a light on so much I’ve experienced in life. For whatever reasonI just happened to stumble upon Elaine Aron’s work and it just hit me: “wow, that’s me!” After all the coursework and personality tests throughout the years, I identified with some of it (ISFJ, “Relater,” and so forth). But I couldn’t stop reading about HSP!
I found your article as I’m looking to pivot my career and find one that better aligns with my personality, passions, etc. I also work to give my children little nuggets of information about self-awareness every chance I get….I avoid over-communicating as best I can :-). My daughter is looking into creative endeavors as she progresses towards college and beyond. So I will definitely point her to your blog.
Thanks for writing this and may the force be with you!
Hi . I am in the process of starting a Bespoke Poetry service . This as you say is perfect in working tommynown terms and needs I.m quite an exyrovert and very Sociable but in a normal working Environment I.m prone to Burn out from absorbing all the negativity .
As a FreeLance Poet I visit the people who reqire My services in a very informal setting and there are never large groups of people. I have also considered being a Writing Therapist .
I am 64 and took early retirement to care for my parents who were in their 90.s sadly lost Mum in May 2023 at 93. and now care for Dad 97 whose still very independent but Mobility failing now . I would be interested in your veiws as to how I can get the word out there . Thank you .
Hi I’m an HSP, I realise it after reading the book Quiet: the power of introverts. My current job is receptionist in a summer hotel in Mallorca, this is my second year but it’s gonna be the last, I feel like service is not my thing, I always feel tired after work and need to stay at home to recover from that, sometimes I enjoy it but reading a blog like this makes me want to change my job. How could I start a freelance job or something like that?
I’m 71 years old, and nowI finally understand why I couldn’t stay with 1 thing at a time, as a hso working person, and some other things, I totally relate, and then some.
But what careers are you referring to? Can you give examples of the careers you are referring to?