The Sensitivity Code: Life strategies for thriving in an overwhelming world

by Theresa Cheung

Have you ever been told to toughen up or stop taking everything so seriously? Or do you feel that in a harsh world – where the way to get noticed is to shout the loudest – your heartfelt approach just doesn’t cut it? Some of us are born sensitive. We live our lives vividly through the lens of emotion and with our senses perpetually on high alert. Even those whom others might label ‘insensitive,’ will experience times in their lives when their innate sensitivity is activated and they feel overwhelmed, or sense and feel things they can’t explain. Based on strategies proven to be effective by scientists and psychologists, combined with her own research including real stories, Theresa Cheung will show you how to unlock the potential of your sensitivity. She’ll guide you through the steps that will transform the challenges of being a gentle person into a strength and shine a light on how traits such as empathy, intuition, creativity and compassion have the power to unite us. The Sensitivity Code is a vital resource for the highly sensitive, anyone who has gone through sensitive times or simply longed for the world to be a little kinder.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology

232 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2020

About the author

Theresa Cheung is an internationally bestselling author and public speaker. She has been writing about spirituality, dreams and the paranormal for the past 35 years, and was listed by Watkins Mind Body and Spirit magazine as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people in 2023. She has a degree in Theology and English from Kings College, Cambridge University, frequently collaborating with leading scientists and neuroscientists researching consciousness.

Theresa is regularly featured in national newspapers and magazines, and she is a frequent radio, podcast and television guest. She hosts her own popular spiritual podcast called White Shores and her own weekly UK Health Radio show: The Healing Power of Your Dreams.

Reviews

[Lam · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 sao. Typical AZ book lol.

Tên tiếng Việt là "Một cuốn sách cho người nhạy cảm". Bản dịch chán òm. Nếu nói về nội dung những gì tác giả chia sẻ thôi thì chắc được 3-3.5 sao nhưng vì bản dịch chán quá nên ảnh hưởng đến trải nghiệm đọc.

[Ramona Mead · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a rare bird, as I am highly sensitive, a strong empath, and intuitive. As such, I recognize the intention of this book is straight up positive. It might be okay for readers who are trying to determine if they are HSPs or not. It's not the book I would recommend though. I found the tone to be harsh at times. And I didn't like the overall phrasing about sensitive people needing to change themselves. I like to see books on this subject be much more affirming and encouraging. There were definitely parts I found beneficial, such as the connection between sensitive folks and narcissists, as well as boundary setting, and self care. Personal development is never one size fits all, especially for HSPs and Empaths, our abilities and sensitives manifest differently from person to person. The title of "sensitivity code" and reiteration of that throughout the book implied to me that this is what one MUST to do survive being sensitive and that was off-putting, even while other parts of her message were comforting and positive. I found the author's personal anecdotes rambling at times, although I ddi like the inclusion of testimonials from other people. I would not recommend this book for sensitive people looking for support and guidance.

Many thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Margaret Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst there are nuggets of wisdom and reflection in this book I found it highly repetitive and verbose. Much of the advice and observations about sensitive people applied to everyone - there is nothing wrong with that but the book s framed in a way that implies the world is divided into sensitive souls and narcissists. In truth we all have both human traits and these are shaped not just by our genes but the environments and experiences we are exposed to. I’m sure the author is sincere and knowledgeable and her messages are good ones for us all to consider. I’m also sure that others will read this book and feel it speaks to them personally ...it just didn’t for me .

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super interesting book that really made me go oh s**t that's me. From crying in school to my personal favourite 'you need to toughen up', this book made me feel seen and understood.

I really loved that the book contains lots of short stories that other people had sent the writer, as well as the writer's own personal experiences. It's good to know that it's not just me that feels like that. I also loved how the book highlighted so many positive traits of sensitive people, from empathy to an uncanny ability to sense mood and atmosphere. It was also good to have blind spots pointed out. I'm so aware of the strengths of others but when it comes to myself I don't believe in myself. It was good to be called out in that way. During the pandemic I was rewarded for being there for my team and doing stuff to boost morale, and it was a bit of a kick in the teeth because I was just being myself.

The techniques to thrive as a sensitive person are simple and accessible, but will definitely take a conscious effort. I'm learning to stop myself from engaging with all the problems of emotional vampires. I do take time for myself and am lucky enough that my boyfriend is pretty sensitive too. But I really need to work on self-esteem just like other sensitives! Impostor-syndrome is always strong feature in my life. It always amazes me when people are so forthcoming in their strengths when my development chats are always incredibly painful to go through.

Anyway, this turned into a review about me. I enjoyed this book as difficult as it was to be called out on some of the ways I think and feel and deal with thoughts and feelings. I'll probably refer to the 12 sensitivity code strategies in the future because I have a feeling they're going to be useful. If only I could make all leaders read this so they understand...

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just had a good cry, wiped away my tears and blown my nose. For the first time in my life I feel that who I truly am is valid. I care, I feel, I get overwhelmed - and I now know and believe that this is ok and not a sign that I am weak. Thank you Theresa for guiding me on my journey of self-understanding and giving me strategies for managing my empathy and compassion. I can justify my need for space now. I can say no to horrific parties. Theresa, you and your book will be by my side forever. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[carole martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome,wonderful,Loved this book

I am absolutely in awe of this book, Teresa has now become one of my favourite author's . This book has made me see things so differently & lm so glad t have found this . I will definitely be re-reading it again.

[Rachel Bustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found reading The Sensitivity Code by Theresa Cheung very apt at this moment in time, of our life. It’s a scary world at the moment.

Reading through The Sensitivity Code has brought out a lot of my traits to me personally. It’s truly fascinating how much it’s helped me to learn about myself. Throughout my life, people, including my husband have told me to “lighten up”. Stop taking everything so seriously. I’ve always been a person that has to have things right. Otherwise, what’s the point of doing it? I do prefer my own company to a crowd. I was always the person that felt lonely at a party as a teen.

Just as recently as Friday, I got overly emotional about handing in my resignation letter to my boss at my part-time job. It’s been on the cards for a while, to be honest. It used to make me feel ill letting work down when my girls were sick and I had to stay at home and look after them. Plus I used to feel guilty going to work when they needed me at home. Knowing what I had learned from The Sensitivity Code helped me through Friday. It gave me the confidence to do this. Being a sensitive person is who you are and it won’t go away. But you can learn tips to help you get through situations.

The aim of The Sensitivity Code is to help gentle people recognise their own worth. To give them the coping tools to manage emotions and navigate insensitive environments. To help sensitive people identify the red flags of toxic relationships. It’s truly helped me through the past few tricky weeks. Thank you.

You can read my full review here https://rachelbustin.com/books/the-se...

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the book talks about the traits commonly found in highly sensitive persons, it also highlights several characteristics that may be present in everyone who is sensitive in certain ways.
Highlighting the need for self love and self care and the need to embrace qualities like intuition and empathy, the author outlines ways in which we can channel these traits to work positively for us.
I particularly related to the impact of sensitivity on our relationships with others and there was so much in that chapter that I was nodding along to.
The techniques by which we can take better care of ourselves and ensure we are not overwhelmed in this technology fuelled world where those who shout loudest and push hardest are often the only ones heard and seen are very doable and intuitive.
Experiences of others as recounted in the book also were useful to get a feeling of camaraderie with others experiencing the same vulnerabilities and doubts.
All in all, it was a book that taught me that there is no issue with being sensitive or vulnerable if only we can learn how to understand what this means and work towards fortifying ourselves.

[Rhiannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of The Sensitivity Code by Theresa Cheung in exchange for my honest review
This was such a lovely read, The Sensitivity Code I such an empowering and helpful book. I have always put myself down and people have labelled me as sensitive. So many people have told me to stop and to change myself. After reading this book I think I might be able to appreciate myself more and not put myself down as much. This book has given me a push to look after myself and to treat myself with more respect.
It really highlights the importance of self-love and self-care. I always thought that self-love was selfish and pointless but this book has opened my mind and I am really going to try to look after myself more.
If you think you might benefit from reading this book, I 100% recommend reading it. Even if this book helps you a little bit, or opens your mind to new things, anything we can do to take care of ourselves is worth it.

[Suzanne Kelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sensitivity Code serves to highlight many of the features of the highly sensitive personality, and it was fascinating to understand so many of the traits I see in myself. The author's aim here is to equip the reader with tools to cope and manage their emotions and navigate environments challenging for them as sensitive people. I particularly appreciated the chapter on identifying toxic relationships, which have always been a struggle for me. The author educates the reader on how to circumvent some of the pitfalls of being sensitive. She also brought to the forefront the positive attributes of being born this way. All of which have been invaluable to me in my career. Those are vivid imagination, intuition, dedication, and loyalty. This book was a lovely balm for the sensitive soul and a must-read for anyone who knows someone or themselves identify this way.

[Angela Brightwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theresa Cheung provides a timely guide for individuals, who feel life deeply, to take a step back, and reflect upon sensitivity and how it fits in the modern world’s emotion paradigm. She begins by sharing a personal story of her own sensitivity and how she exposed herself emotionally. Her personal feelings of failure were turned around once she read viewers’ responses. The remainder of the book explores examples of challenges and triggers, strategies to cope, relationships and communication, a spiritual approach to life, and a process to transform sensitivity into strength.

I found this book a lovely read. It reminded me there are steps I can use in my life to increase my self-care. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to explore sensitivity in themselves or others.

[BrummieGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a sensitive person, I found this book enlightening in all ways. It’s given me the tools I need to accept my feelings and to not feel so hesitant in sharing them. If you’re looking for something transformative, in a positive way, then this book isn’t to be missed.

It caters for varying degrees of sensitivity. Not all of us will be at the top of the sensitivity scale but a lot of us will inhibit and recognise some of these traits within ourselves, if we are of a sensitive disposition, like I am.

I loved the snippets of real peoples experiences that were peppered throughout the book. It makes you realise how alike we all are and that’s a true comfort.

A truly enlightening read and thoroughly recommended.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book absolutely fascinating. As someone who has been told to "toughen up" a lot I could relate to it so much. I really feel like this book has given me some great strategies for both me and my very sensitive 4 year old son. Fantastic and recommended to anyone who feels it could help them.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m devouring non-fiction at the moment, and with so much uncertainty in the world this really appealed. Even though I wouldn’t normally consider myself as a target reader, it’s definitely got a broader audience than the blurb implies.

I see the author has published a huge collection of very interesting non fiction works which I now really want to read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think a lot of people will find this book really helpful, especially in the current climate. I never considered myself a sensitive person until I read it, and was amazed to identify with quite a lot of the situations here. Theresa provides lots of insights and coping skills for sensitive people to survive, and to help and understand sensitive family members and friends. A very good read.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible book that ressonated with and touched me. I could identify myself in many of the stories she said here. I loved the message on the great power of gentleness, sensitivity and empathy. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this book. 💗💗💗

[Chloe Locke · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways I feel like I am a sensitive soul so I could resonate with this book!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who is definitely sensitive I found this book resonated quite a lot with me. I didn't always agree with everything I read, but I did get a lot out of the things which I did.