Abundant Creativity Effect and Ultrasensitivity

I've had the great fortune of late to discuss what it 'feels' like to be an ACE with a variety of people from all walks of life. These people have opened up to me, and I to them because of our similarities in emotions, mental states and desires for understanding. All of us have a need to feel that someone 'gets us'; that someone truly understands what it's like to live in our skin. While no one person can truly live 'in' the life of another, commonalities can provide a certain degree of kinship or 'kindred-ship'.

One of the most common elements running through the ACE's I've talked to is a feeling of ultra-sensitivity. We, as a group tend to be sensitive to a whole host of external stimuli. Whether it be a rude sales clerk, slight variations in temperature, or our new underwear.

Emotional Sensitivity.

ACE's have a tendency to take everything very personally. Any slight or criticism is taken to heart. In part, I believe, this is physiological, but in essence I believe that this comes from our own self-esteem and self-criticisms growing up with the feeling that we are 'less-than' somehow. We see others doing things with ease that we struggle with. We ask ourselves why we are so stupid and lazy.

It is only natural then, to assume that others feel the same about us as we do. Since we view ourselves as inferior and without skill, then we are very willing to allow others to validate that feeling through their comments.

Physical Sensitivity.

Many ACE's that I've talked to prefer cotton to silk; denim to wool; sweats to suits. This is due in large part to our physical sensitivity to touch. Many ACE's cut the tags out of their clothes because the very presence of these annoying little tabs of cloth or paper can distract us all day with their tiny little pokes and scratches. (The person who came up with tagless clothes is a genius and should have a statue erected). Clothes that are too tight or too loose, or just feel 'wrong' are a constant source of irritation to be endured as well.

Physical sensitivity doesn't limit itself to clothing. We may be sensitive to the touch of another person as well. People sitting too close to us on the bus can put our nerves at high alert. A handshake can leave an impression on our skin that stays with us for hours, distracting us from the business at hand. (Sorry, bad pun)

Mental Sensitivity.

This one is easy. The abundance of external stimuli we face on a daily basis can drive us to exhaustion and dis-ease. The smells, sights, sounds, tastes and feelings we take in at any one moment are like an avalanche of information in our brains. Because we have very limited filtering capabilities, all of this stimuli is processed and our brains are working overtime to get it all tucked away in the right compartments.

No wonder we are susceptible to 'zone out' moments. It's a wonder we are able to function at all.

Spiritual Sensitivity.

This one may or may not be ACE related, but I include it here to ponder. I feel, as many of my friends do, that just as we are sensitive to the material world, we are sensitive to the spiritual nature of the world and its inhabitants. This could be due in large part to the fact that we are constantly taking in the world as a whole, and for the spiritual, this would mean too, the 'essence' of the world as well.

Generally, I can feel the intent of a person I meet. That's not to say I can read their mind. What I mean is that I can intuitively feel their basic spiritual nature. I'm not claiming to be a medium or psychic or anything like that. I just think that being as sensitive as we are, we can feel their emotional/spiritual/mental state although we may not be able to assimilate what we feel into language or thought. We just get an impression, and in most cases we're pretty accurate.

So what?

So, we're sensitive. What do we do about it? I say we do absolutely nothing. Recognize your sensitivities. Understand where they come from, and trust in them. Rest when you can, re-energize yourself by doing something that makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Trust your instincts when it comes to other people. Above all, give yourself a break, and understand that others do not see you as poorly as you see yourself. Take the compliments when given, and take the criticisms at face value.