This world will tell you what or who you should be from day one. For the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and Empath this is a tragedy. Without knowledge, we HSPs will listen to any idea out there and abide by it just out of sheer loyalty. Self can get lost. Some people feel like they need to forgive themselves. I think they might have gotten their 'self' really lost. It's essential for the HSP to figure out who and what they are so that they can grow and be effective in society.
Its easy to live in someone's reality. We do it as children. We get to live in our parents' reality. We may not get the message that we are to create our own reality. That is, live in our own world and play our own game. It may be a frightening thing to start down that road, but start we inevitably must. Sooner or later we will be without our parents. We may start our own families, careers, hobbies, and preferences. I know of people who have the hardest time taking that step. I recommend to take a deep breath and jump in. Like jumping in a pool, it may feel awful at first but you soon get your bearings.
I realize it's hard to disconnect from parents, mentors, or even friends. If you have a great family life, it is harder to disconnect than if you had a bad family life. If you do come from a great family, being on your own is important to discover yourself and figure out how to better yourself. Sometimes separation is thrusted upon you like entering the military, moving because of a new job, or even a death. In such cases, I think it's important not to latch on to anyone else but to become self sufficient and start planning what you want to do. It's only when your alone can you meditate and figure out your own feelings.
Eventhough you are on your own, your really not alone. Parents, mentors, friends should be a phone or text message away for advice. It's good to listen to your guides. Guides come not only from people in your life, but also from what people say, what papers and blogs write, what books say...etc. I think the most important guide to listen to is the guidance you get when you meditate. You can extend your feelers to the world around you and figure out what it coming. Feelings and premonitions are normal to have. Too often people ignore these. It is good to take these into consideration while you observe the physical world. Of course, one of the most important guide is the plan you laid out for yourself. That is, the things you want in the future.
Why am I encouraging HSPs to be their own person? Well, it's because it took a long time for me to realize that that is the better way. There are groups out there that recruit the unsuspected into their ideology, theology, or 'mission.' These groups are self absorbed manipulative masters. No, the HSP is better off on their own and figuring out how to help people in the world around them. The Quest in this life should be for the betterment of self and community. Do not waste it on someone else's ideals. More often than not, if you do follow someone else they usually are sociopaths. These people have no concern for anyone else but their own goals no matter what it costs others. That's why I give this warning to all HSPs and Empaths.