Everything you wanted to know about narcissists and Highly Sensitive People
Why are narcissists and sociopaths attracted to Highly Sensitive People and empaths–and vice versa? Learn everything you wanted to know here!
Posts about Relationships
I hid my sensitivity because I couldn’t deal with feelings
I was so scared about being hurt that I ignored that possibility that it could even happen. I feared intense feelings so much that I pretended those feelings didn’t exist.
How to deal with overwhelming parties & gatherings
Are you easily overwhelmed by long gatherings with family and friends? Here are some tips on how to deal with big parties.
HSP Podcast #70: Loneliness & the importance of relationships, with Dr. Amy Banks
HSPs can find relationships both challenging and rewarding. In this show we discuss: the health impact of loneliness and disconnection, why American society values the “do-it-alone” mindset, online bullying, dopamine, and more.
HSP Podcast #65: Narcissists & HSPs, with Nikki Eisenhauer
Did you know that HSPs and people with narcissistic personality disorder tend to be attracted to each other? Nikki explains what a narcissist is, why HSPs can be drawn to them, the difference between a narcissist vs. sociopath personality, and more.
HSP Podcast #53: FAQs about HSPs (for people who aren’t highly sensitive)
http://media.blubrry.com/hsp/www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/highlysensitiveperson/53._FAQs_about_HSPs.mp3Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSSThis episode is especially for those who do not have the trait of high sensitivity. It’s for those who...
11 Tips for handling the chaos of kids as an introverted HSP
For Highly Sensitive People–particularly introverts–the concept of parenting may elicit feelings of anxiety and overwhelm in addition to the standard emotion of joy. There is an extra layer of challenge due to the ease with which HSPs become overstimulated...
Pushing buttons: dealing with people who antagonize you
I’m a member of several Facebook groups for HSPs and I see this topic come up a lot: People will describe a co-worker, family member, or a stranger on the internet who says things that they disagree with so strongly that they get angry…and sometimes they...
HSP Podcast #49: Arguing with internet trolls and other people who anger you
Have you ever gotten into an argument about politics with a family member or co-worker and you got really angry and fired up? Have you ever gotten into a fight online with a complete idiot?
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.
Condolences: what to say (and NOT say) to a friend who’s hurting
You’d think as an HSP that I’d be good at knowing what to say when someone else is hurting. But I’m always afraid that I’ll say the wrong thing. A friend had a cancer scare recently. While I was waiting to hear from her about her test results, I thought: what do I say...
HSP Podcast #46: Empathy & the Spicy Food Contest
In this episode, I talk about how I convinced my husband to participate in a contest eating increasingly spicier chicken wings. What followed was an intense HSP moment.
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...
The importance of compassionate, sensitive medical professionals
Imagine being injured and incapacitated in a hospital–having compassionate, sensitive medical professionals, doctors, and nurses–make a big difference.
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
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”
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 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?
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
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...
Wedding planning tips for HSPs & introverts
Here are tips for the Highly Sensitive Person or introvert who is planning their own wedding. You can do what you want and have a great time!
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.
Be less sensitive? How to calm down when you are obsessing
A comment on the blog today asked, “How can I be less sensitive to things?” It might not be possible to be less sensitive, but you can change your reactions to things. I’d like to share a tactic that has helped me. Try to “catch” yourself...
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
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
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?
How did being an introvert or HSP affect you as a kid?
When you look back at your life, what little memories can you recall where you were made to feel guilty, inadequate, dumb, or unsuccessful about being introverted or highly sensitive? As a child, I remember being told to “speak up”, “participate...
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,...
Should you tell people that you are an HSP?
Learning about being one of these Highly Sensitive People can be life-changing. But should you tell other people about your discovery?
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...
Interview: “My Partner is a Highly Sensitive Person”
Has your spouse, partner, or friend told you that they are a Highly Sensitive Person? What are you supposed to do with that information? What does it mean to be a HSP? And what does it mean for you, as their loved one? I’ve interviewed three people whose...
People Pleasers: “I don’t want to bother you…”
Do you find yourself saying, “I don’t want to bother you” a lot? Do you constantly worry about bothering others? You may be a people pleaser.
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?
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
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!
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)
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...
How do you explain to your partner that simply being around people takes energy?
I saw something worth sharing on the Introvert subreddit on Reddit today. Someone asked how to explain being an introvert to her boyfriend. She didn’t know how to get him to understand that she needed alone time, and that he shouldn’t take it personally....
Feeling Overwhelmed When Nothing is Wrong
Feeling overwhelmed and cranky for no reason after a long day? It’s often due to overstimulation. Don’t beat yourself up too much.
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 Explain Being an HSP to Your Partner
This post is now located here.
My Heart Still Hurts from Something that Happened When I was 5…
Receiving an unexpected gift or kind gesture touches highly sensitive people deeply. Here’s a brief story about losing a gift my grandma gave me.
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
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...Check out my book!
