Posts about Relationships

HSP Podcast #48: Condolences

HSP Podcast #48: Condolences

You’d think as an HSP that I’d be good at knowing what to say when someone I care about, a friend or family member, had something terrible happen to them. I want SO BADLY to say something helpful, but I’m always afraid that I’ll say the wrong thing. So this isn’t for HSPs only—these tips could help anyone.

HSP Podcast #41: Where to Vacation

HSP Podcast #41: Where to Vacation

http://media.blubrry.com/hsp/www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/highlysensitiveperson/41._Where_to_vacation.mp3Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSSAn introvert/extrovert and HSP/non-HSP might take a look at the same vacation itinerary and have completely...
HSP Podcast #32: Compassionate Care

HSP Podcast #32: Compassionate Care

Imagine riding in a car with your friends, and everything goes black. The next thing you know, you are lying somewhere, but you can’t see. You’re in indescribable pain. You can’t speak. You can’t move your head.

Empathy & Regret at a Spicy Wing Eating Contest

Empathy & Regret at a Spicy Wing Eating Contest

Jim and I went to an event a few days ago that was holding a spicy wing eating contest. I was immediately excited because Jim never thinks anything is spicy. I’ve only seen him unable to eat something spicy once in all the years I’ve known him. (It was a...
HSP Podcast #25: Using High Sensitivity as a “Crutch”

HSP Podcast #25: Using High Sensitivity as a “Crutch”

http://media.blubrry.com/hsp/www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/highlysensitiveperson/25._Using_HSP_as_a_crutch.mp3Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSSIn this episode 25, I share some quotes from people in relationships with HSPs who are fed up! They say...
The importance of kindred spirits

The importance of kindred spirits

The first time I heard the phrase kindred spirit was from the popular Anne of Green Gables TV series from the mid-1980s, which was adapted from the L.M. Montgomery novels. The character of Anne Shirley used the term kindred spirits to talk about intimate friends,...
Do you use high sensitivity as a crutch?

Do you use high sensitivity as a crutch?

I’ve mentioned several times about how my husband Jim has tried to understand my high sensitivity. At first, he didn’t buy into the idea at all. Slowly, over time, I could tell he was accepting it more. He was able to observe, realtime, my visceral...
HSP Podcast 23: Kindred Spirits

HSP Podcast 23: Kindred Spirits

http://media.blubrry.com/hsp/www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/highlysensitiveperson/23._Kindred_Spirits.mp3Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS Pontificating on Friendship “Kindred Spirits” are intimate friends, people with whom you are...
Anticipatory Grief

Anticipatory Grief

Anticipatory grief is a grief reaction that occurs before an impending loss, typically, the death of someone close to you. Anyone can experience it. But for HSPs, anticipatory grief can be extremely intense.

HSP Podcast #10: HSP & Animals

HSP Podcast #10: HSP & Animals

In Episode 10 of the Highly Sensitive Person Podcast, I talk about how HSPs can have deep connections to animals due to our empathy and ability to pick up on non-verbal signals.

HSP Podcast #7: Explaining HSP to Your Partner

HSP Podcast #7: Explaining HSP to Your Partner

http://media.blubrry.com/hsp/www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/highlysensitiveperson/HSP_ep7_explaining_hsp_to_partner.mp3Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSSNow that you’ve learned about high sensitivity, you may feel like a weight has been lifted...
How to Explain Being an HSP to Your Partner

How to Explain Being an HSP to Your Partner

When I first learned about what it meant to be an HSP and an introvert, it was life changing. But I had to find a way to explain it to the person who has to deal with me the most, my partner. How could I explain that there’s nothing wrong with me, but that I’m just different, and my desires and needs are just as valid as a non-HSPs?

Parties

Parties

I thought I was better at parties. My husband and I have a number of “couple friends”, i.e., other couples who are our friends. We’ve known them for years, we hang out regularly, and I enjoy spending time with them. Whenever we went to parties,...
How Can I Meet Other Highly Sensitive People?

How Can I Meet Other Highly Sensitive People?

I’m glad you asked! Now that you know you’re a Highly Sensitive Person, wouldn’t it be great to meet other people like you? Who also hated small talk? Who didn’t want to hang out at a noisy bar all night? Who were conscientious and good...
Follow-Up: My First Experience Taking Care of a Dog

Follow-Up: My First Experience Taking Care of a Dog

I recently wrote a post where I wondered if I would be able to handle having a dog. I grew up in a house where my dad hated pets, so we never had one. He thought they were dirty and annoying. So I grew up thinking the same thing. I didn’t like when dogs got near...
Could I handle having a dog?

Could I handle having a dog?

I’ve never owned or cared for a pet other than a goldfish. That’s right: no cats, no dogs. My husband wants a dog. At first, I was 100% against the idea. Having a dog in my house sounded gross. It would track in dirt, of course. Anyone who has a dog has a...
The Friendly Face Syndrome

The Friendly Face Syndrome

This is going to be weird. So, remember Hugo Chávez? The former dictator of Venezuela who died last year? He, you know, sort of hated the U.S. I realize this is a big generalization, but you know what I mean. In general, he was not a friend of my country. Well, I had...
Enjoy Parties for the First Time Ever: Take Two Cars!

Enjoy Parties for the First Time Ever: Take Two Cars!

I like parties, but I like them under my terms! I am an introvert, and after a certain amount of time around people, I run out of energy and get cranky and want to go home and be alone. Yadda yadda yadda. You know all this stuff already. But, my husband is an...
Gifts for Introverts and HSPs (Highly Sensitive People)

Gifts for Introverts and HSPs (Highly Sensitive People)

See the updated 2015-16 gift guide here! Are you struggling to find a gift for an introverted, highly sensitive friend, spouse, co-worker, or family member? Then this list is for you. Featured here are practical presents for those of us who are overwhelmed by social...
Why I’d rather just sit and listen

Why I’d rather just sit and listen

“I don’t know what to talk to people about. I’m okay with just sitting there and listening to others. Then if I try to interject, people shut me out, like I don’t exist (depending on the people.) So, It’s best to just sit quietly.”...
How to tell if you work with a Highly Sensitive Person

How to tell if you work with a Highly Sensitive Person

This great article by HSP expert Elaine Aron explains how to identify HSPs in the workplace. I wish some of my former managers had been this forward-thinking! She recommends using the acronym DOES to sniff out an HSP. Check it out: Depth of processing. Does this...
The Day “I lost it” because I was overstimulated

The Day “I lost it” because I was overstimulated

This is a hard story for me to tell. I am embarrassed and ashamed of it. It’s the one time in my life that I’ve had an outburst and lost my cool in public. I was hanging out with my husband and a group of 6+ friends. We were all sitting around a large...

Understanding your HSP Partner (for non-HSPs)

Are you are in a relationship with someone who has Highly Sensitive Person traits? Here are some commonly asked questions to help you learn about HSP: Aren’t “sensitive” people drama queens and crybabies? Step 1 of understanding HSPs is adjusting your personal...