Is it hard to shut your mind off and stop thinking? You are not alone. One of the defining characteristics of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is deep processing. It can leave us stuck in analysis paralysis, without reaching a conclusion or beginning to act. That's why I've written these 10 tips for transforming overthinking as a Highly Sensitive Person. ... Read More
My Sensitivity Wasn’t Accepted by My Family: How I Survived
No one had a name for high sensitivity when I was a child or adolescent. I was just an odd kid, the one who was always moody, who made a big deal and overthought things, who cried too easily, especially when a person or an animal was suffering. My peers mostly looked away when I was “having a moment.” My parents told me to suck it up (literally!) and wondered when I’d outgrow these behaviors that embarrassed and annoyed them. It was clear--my sensitivity wasn't accepted by my family.... Read More
Why Am I So Sensitive? (3 Theories)
Maybe it happens when you’re feeling buried in overwhelming emotions. Or after a sleepless night when your mind won’t stop. Or when you can literally feel the pain of someone you love, to the point that you’re suffering, too. And you ask yourself, why am I so sensitive?... Read More
Maintaining Solid Boundaries Through Challenging Holiday Situations
The end of the year holidays, both secular and religious, are rapidly approaching. With them come the weight of expectations, hopes, and fantasies about what the holidays can and should be. Whatever and however you celebrate, if you’re a highly sensitive person (HSP), you’ve probably noticed that the holidays have a way of stirring up the nervous system. If I could wave a wand and take all the stress, pain, and angst of the holidays away, you’d see me swinging my arms like a professional athlete. But unfortunately, that isn’t the kind of magic the holidays hold. So short of that, I recommend that each of us work on maintaining solid boundaries to help us get through the challenges of the holiday season.... Read More
Self-Acceptance and Change for the Highly Sensitive Person
I suspect that there is no one alive who wouldn’t prefer to feel more accepting of themselves. After all, there’s nothing pleasant about being harsh and critical of ourselves. We get enough of that from the world around us. Yet, at the same time as we’d like to be more self-accepting, most of us would be happiest if we could change all the things we dislike about ourselves. HSPs are no exception to getting pulled into a tug of war between self-acceptance and change.... Read More
Coping with Overwhelming Grief as a Highly Sensitive Person
As a highly sensitive person (HSP) who works with HSP clients, I think it’s particularly important to acknowledge what role grief plays in our lives and find ways to manage its intensity so that we can eventually learn from it. Coping with overwhelming grief as a highly sensitive person is no easy task.... Read More