Highly Sensitive Power began six months ago as a website for highly sensitive people. That it attracts readers who are not highly sensitive by the standards of Elaine Aron’s self-test has been a surprise.
The test for high sensitivity is not as definite as a test for pregnancy. The range of sensitivity extends in both directions in infinite gradations and we decide for ourselves where we land on it. Many people who don’t consider themselves highly sensitive do consider themselves to be sensitive, even if only in one particular way.
The growing movement toward empowerment for highly sensitive people is, at its core, a quest for the acceptance of sensitivity in our culture. Sensitivity means responsiveness, responsibility, connectedness, tuning in, awareness, thoughtfulness. Any broadening of the movement to include anyone who wants more respect for their sensitive traits can only help everyone who is sensitive, whether highly so or not.
Sensitive people who want what Highly Sensitive Power offers are welcome here. In fact, many of the articles I write already refer to sensitivity rather than high sensitivity specifically. To further help all sensitive people know they are welcome here, I will start this new year off by tweaking the site just a little. Because I believe that highly sensitive people can lead the way for our culture, the site will still be called Highly Sensitive Power and remains highly sensitive at its core, as it must, since I am highly sensitive myself.
The most noticeable adjustment will be a rewording of the tag line from “empowering highly sensitive people through curiosity, creativity, and community” to one that immediately welcomes all sensitive people. I don’t want to change the tag line substantially, and I’d like your opinion about what to change it to. The two most attractive options for me so far are:
Empowering sensitivity through curiosity, creativity, and community
or
Sensitivity. Curiosity. Creativity. Community.
Please leave a comment if you’d like. I’d love to know what you think.
Coloured pencil drawing by Grace Kerina.
6 Comments
Good idea! I like the second tag line best-it stands out more.
Changing the tag line disturbs me.I am pleased the site attracts others who are not highly sensitive. But I am highly sensitive to remaking the line to ” one site fits all”. It’s a bit like dumbing down education so it fits everyone. “They” are the reason “we” are needing empowerment.
Don’t cave. Approval from the less than sensitive is NOT the answer.
Chery
Hi Grace,
Since the “Highly” is still in the site’s url and title, I can understand why you’re considering expanding the focus of the tag line. I like the impact/simplicity of the second one best and agree with Marina that it stands out more.
Can’t wait to see what you decide!
All my best,
Jessica
Hi Grace,
While I do love the second tagline for it’s punchy goodness, I am more partial to the first, simply because it’s got the word ’empowerment’ in it, a word that is kind of like my blanky, giving me comfort, and reassurance that we can be very much empowered. That’s something I feel I need to be reminded of every now and then! (i.e. all the time). To summarise, I vote for blanky, but will support whatever is chosen in the end. I look forward to more wonderful content this year Grace!
Thank you!
Ingrid
Dear Grace:
I am more partial to the first as well. I find it to be softer and feel that it provides a welcoming, inviting, and warm tone. I think that it also provides a true reflection of what to expect from your writings and marvellous insights. In short, a sample of what it means to be sensitive on any level–whether highly or in one area.
The second one seems to me to leave more open to the imagination of exactly what the connections between the words could be if indeed they are meant to be connected or to each stand alone.
Are you familiar with Isabel Parlett’s work? I mention it only because she has a marvelous way of discussing this type of wording for businesses.
For me, the first one touched my soul and I am not so sure that the staccato approach of the second one would have done that.
Wishing you luck in this pursuit.
With a warm smile,
Dorothy
Thank you all for the thoughtfulness of your comments. I appreciate your input very much.
Dorothy, thank you for pointing me toward Isabel Parlett. I’ve started checking out her site and have already signed up for her newsletter. What a great tip.
I had a private email talk with Chery, who actually also likes the “Empowering senstivity…” option. For various reasons, including some of the points you all brought up, I’m leaning toward going with that tag line.
More will be revealed.
Thanks again.