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In this episode 24, I provide some tips on how to deal with the challenging aspects of being highly sensitive.
Do you ever say these things to yourself?
- “I give a lot to other people but they don’t notice–they don’t appreciate or reciprocate my thoughtfulness.”
- “I can’t trust many people because they will inevitably hurt me or let me down.”
- “How can I be less sensitive?”
- “My empathy weighs heavily on me–It’s so tiring. How can I better handle this?”
Have a listen and let me know what you think of my tips in the comments below.
If you like the podcast, please leave a positive review on iTunes!
Resources mentioned in this episode: The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
Related posts on this blog:
- Podcast Episode #23: Kindred Spirits & Friendship
- People Pleasers: “I don’t want to bother you…”
- 7 Tips for Coping with the Challenges of Being Highly Sensitive (blog post)
Podcast music attribution: By the Coast (2004) (Antony Raijekov) / CC BY-NC 2.5
I really enjoy your podcast overall (thank you for your service!).
But a point you made in today’s podcast REALLY hit home. It was the part about not expecting others to be as considerate as you are. That’s hard to take, as it’s a constant though of mine, “how can people be so inconsiderate!?”
I also really appreciated the reminder to give priority to things that fill you up and that they are in fact productive. This has never been more important for me, as I am experiencing my first pregnancy. (How I would love to hear how other HSPs handle THAT!)
Thanks again and take care-
Thanks Gretchen! I’m so glad this helped you. 🙂
Wow Kelly, thank you so much for doing this podcast. You have given me a voice, i relate to almost everything that you say, i thought i was weird but it’s obvious i’m not, i just experience the world in a different way. thanks so much, love from Spain 🙂
Hi Kelly, I love your podcast! You are helping me to not only better understand myself but explain to my family and friends what’s going on when they get exasperated with me.
A few months ago I took a friend’s recommendation to visit an energy medicine therapist. She suggested that one reason why was so vulnerable to other people is because my aura was open. I had no idea what this meant, but she suggested that whenever I think of it, and definitely before hanging around a difficult or negative person, I should bring my hands up to my ears and with my palms approximately 2 inches away from them make small circles as though doing that “wax on/wax off” move from Karate Kid. I fought the urge to give her the hairy eyeball at the time, but it was such a silly thing to do that I couldn’t help but try it, and skeptical though I was I found that after about 1 week I no longer felt so affected by other people.
Hi Alissa, thanks for the comment, and I’m so glad you like the podcast. Of course I did your circle thing as I was reading your comment. Haha! I have not heard of that before but heck, I’ll try anything! I’m so glad it worked for you–very cool! Thanks for sharing.
Great self-care tips! I need to write them down and hang them where I can see them!
Kelly, thank you for the post! It has only been very recently that I’ve come to accept myself as an HSP. I was raised with great/supportive parents, but my mom is a tough Montana girl that always pushed me to be more rugged, etc. My whole life, in light of this, I’ve tried to be someone I’m not. Police officer, black belt, alpha dog. Your site has helped me realize that it’s okay to be who I am– something I’m very proud of!
Appreciatively,
Jeff 🙂
Jeff, that is so awesome!!! Thank you for sharing!
Hi, Kelly. I’ve been working a lot lately with the concept of not expecting others to be the same as I am. It was a revelation to me to discover that I notice things that other people don’t, both in the environment and in other people. When I’m getting overwhelmed because there is too much commotion and talking in the room, I get really quiet and try to stay as calm as I can, so I don’t explode and melt down. Because I usually pick up on everyone’s emotional state without even trying, I used to think that other people could see when I was overwhelmed, and would get upset with them because they couldn’t quiet down and allow me to recover.
Now I realize that they are not ignoring me and being inconsiderate — they just don’t have a clue how I am feeling! The challenge is to find the energy to tell them, when I feel like I can’t bear the sound of another voice, even my own! But I realize it’s not fair to expect them to guess — it’s not their fault they can’t perceive it.
Thank you. I once went to a Chinese Chiropractor/acupuncturist who surveyed me and gave me a recommendation that hit the nail on the head. He said that I care too much. His advice: stop caring so much. Amazing how a virtual stranger came up with that after an examination. It’s true. Caring too much caused ripple effects. One helpful strategy I’ve found is cooking. Not just anytime or anything. But, mindful cooking for a purpose, i.e. to make people I love and care about happy, lifts me up and energizes me. Thank you!
glad this helped!! :))
Thank you.Its good to know that someone else feels like i do.
So much creaky vocal fry on an HSP podcast of all things? Could not listen.