How often have you heard people say, to you or to others, “You’re too sensitive!” It’s always said in a dismissive or disdainful way. People might squinch their nose as though your sensitivity stinks. “Don’t cry,” they say. “Why are you crying?” they ask. “You’re such a crybaby!” they scoff.

There are so many ways and reasons we learn to numb, to do what it takes to not feel as much. Cutting off our emotions is a common trauma response learned early in life for many people. Another big reason we repress our emotions is this social punishment for feeling and expressing.

This is even true of “pleasant” emotions like happiness. I’ve often seen the same scornful reactions to people smiling, laughing, dancing, playing, or expressing giddy feelings. Folks literally roll their eyes at other people’s joy. I’ve even witnessed people being physically assaulted because their state of joyful expression triggered someone else into anger or resentment.

Sadly, one of the only feelings some folks learn is “safe” to feel is anger. They believe anger can at least help protect their boundaries, save face, or simply survive the moment. Yet for others, even expressing anger was punished and frowned upon, so they retreated into sadness, grief, or depression and deadening.

Whatever range of emotions we lean on the most, there is nothing more socially acceptable than apathy. There’s social pressure to be “unbothered,” to just not care. Aloofness and indifference are status symbols. How cool it is to be cold… or so we’re implicitly told.

But in Dr. Sarah’s Café, we like warm and cozy 😊

We came to this planet to be sensitive. Many of us might fear sensitivity in ourselves and in others because a deeper part of us knows it’s a portal to great spiritual power. Channeling our sensitivity in empowering ways is something we can understand and practice over time.

In basic conversations about “sensitivity,” folks often limit this to being easily triggered, easily offended, or crying easily. We often associate it with wounds, bruises, and being tender in the sore or painful sense. Those things matter. Yet here I want to explore an expanded, more empowered concept of sensitivity.

I am once again writing this in my journal while enjoying the weather in a communal garden. Always romanticizing my everyday! The transitional nature of Virgo season is in full bloom with warm sunshine stirred by cool breezes—bright blossoms and falling leaves. As a mutable sign myself, a sign of “both-and,” I love the threshold of new seasons and the blended sights and sensations of change.

So let’s start here. Noticing ten different shades of purple in the garden, smelling lavender wafting on the wind, tasting a drop of honeysuckle on your tongue, feeling warm sunshine on your skin just before a breeze brushes over you… These are all forms of sensitivity.

And that sensitivity which gifts us such pleasures, also comes in handy to protect us when we whiff the spoiled milk, hear the low growl of a passing dog, smell the singe in our nose just before a fire starts, glance left just before a car veers into our lane, or feel the slightest tightness in your body where there wasn’t before… These too are forms of meaningful sensitivity.

Our bodies are always communicating with us, and it’s our sensitivity that clears the channel for communication. And what I believe and invite others to consider is that our sensitivity is how we channel messages “from beyond.” Whether that’s our intuition or gut feeling that allows us to know something without rational reasoning, or whether it’s messages from angels, your future self, your ancestors or deceased loved ones, we can hone our sensitivity to these forms of communication as well.

I’ve shared some examples that, although micro, are quite meaningful. Our spiritual gifts don’t have to be sensational. Our superpowers don’t have to create a spectacle. Simply being tapped into the love and the knowings that remind us of our true essence can be life-changing.

One of my favorite forms of sensitivity is compassion for our fellow humans. That kind of sensitivity that compels us to care when others suffer, is a kind of sensitivity I hope humans never lose.

BOOK UPDATE: I took last week off from content creation so that I could meet a major deadline for my COLORISM book. I’ve submitted my second of three drafts! The third draft will just be a clean up and polish draft, so by the end of this month, my final final draft is due. Then it’s off to production!

I also got my official publication date from my editor, and it’s sooner than I expected. I was thinking we’d release it June-July of 2026, but we’re planning for MAY! That feels so soon! I’m trusting in divine timing, and just extremely excited no matter what the date is!

Also, if I had an in-person birthday/book-launch combo party in NYC next year, would you consider coming?

1:1 COACHING: As we wind down the third quarter of 2025, this is a great time to start clarifying your vision for the year ahead and developing a soul-aligned strategy to achieve it! View my 1-1 coaching offer to learn how I can help you fill your cup and fulfill your vision for the new year and beyond! My three-month package fits perfectly between now and December 31st! If you have questions, just hit reply on this email.

Recently, I’ve been wanting to hear the voices of ancestors. I’ve desired to hear the vibration and textures of their voices. Since James Baldwin appeared in one of my dreams recently, or rather and image of him, I sought out his voice during a period of struggling with the second draft of my book. In gratitude for his spirit reaching out to me in that moment, I feature him this week for our Open Mic.

Sincerely,