Ep. 63: “I feel like I’m drowning, like I’m never caught up”

always behind drowning

Two acquaintances in the same week made similar comments to me out of nowhere: that they felt behind, like they weren’t getting enough done in their work and businesses. It made me sad to hear that they were struggling and not feeling good about themselves.

I can totally relate to the feeling of underachievement. I felt inspired to try to help those of us who can never live up to our own expectations. In this episode, I talk about:

  • How we compare ourselves to others on social media, even though we know it’s not reality
  • How happiness can only be now-not the future
  • Never being content; always wanting “the other thing”
  • How we should stop saying “I should….”
  • ….And stop beating ourselves up.

Note: The advice in this episode isn’t for everyone. I was hoping to reach a subset of people who needed this advice, but realize it is not totally universal.

Mentioned in this episode:

  • Join The Haven, a community for HSPs. Registration is only available until April 28! It’s only $1 for the first month and you can cancel anytime. Check it out!

Want to support the podcast?

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A big thank you to the newest patron, Olaf!!

If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that’s awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works.

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Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Ep 62: 6 Hidden Benefits of Being Highly Sensitive

HSP benefits
In episode 59, I started a 3-episode series about the positive aspects of being a Highly Sensitive Person. I talked about people who are celebrated for their sensitivity, like artists and musicians.

In today’s show, I’m discussing what I think are 6 not-so-well-known benefits of being highly sensitive.

We’ve all heard that HSPs have lots of empathy and are good listeners and connect with animals and stuff like that, but I tried to find some benefits that were a bit more hidden.

Take a listen to find out what they are! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think-do you relate to any of these 6 things?

(The third-upcoming-episode in this series will be about benefits in the professional workplace (jobs, career, etc) for HSPs.)

Mentioned in this episode:

  • Get Andy Mort’s free ebook Calm Amidst Chaos, featuring insights from HSP leaders, and learn more about his HSP community, The Haven, which re-opens its doors on April 24.

Want to support the podcast?

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A big thank you to the newest patrons, Charlee and Al!

If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that’s awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works.

Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on new podcast episodes, blog posts, and HSP news.

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

9 Tips for Coping in the Workplace as a Highly Sensitive Person

hsp job copingI worked in an office environment for around ten years, with most of that time either in a cubicle or in a big room with other people.

A lot of the time, I hated it.

So many things played a part in bothering and distracting me in that professional environment. Some things were obvious (like a wrong-sized chair that hurt my body) but other things contributed just a tiny piece to making me feel awful–usually without me even realizing it. [Read more…]

Ep 61: Building Mental Strength, an interview with Amy Morin


amy morin

“The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday.”

A popular misconception about Highly Sensitive people-to those who aren’t very familiar with the trait-is that HSPs are always emotionally fragile and not mentally strong. [Read more…]

Ep. 57: An interview with teen HSP Daisy Gumin


hsp daisy blogI’m so excited today to share with you an interview with Daisy Gumin. Listen on iTunes here.

Daisy is an 18-year-old Highly Sensitive Person and introvert.

She and her mother went through a harrowing year and a half of trying to figure out what was “wrong” with Daisy. She had been displaying destructive, angry, depressive, and self-harming behavior. She went through lots of therapy, medications, hospitalizations, attended a therapeutic boarding school, and even a wilderness therapy program (she was taken there in the middle of the night without knowing where she was going!) Throughout this time, she was diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and more.

After all that, she and her mother discovered Dr. Elaine Aron’s book, The Highly Sensitive Person, and suddenly everything made sense. After so many misdiagnoses, they had found the key to understanding Daisy. She was highly sensitive.

After that, the healing began.

This episode sheds lights on what it is like to be a highly sensitive teen-and not know it. Daisy’s story can help not just teens and youth, but parents and teachers, too.

This interview includes:

  • Daisy explaining what led to all her treatments
  • How it feels to be highly sensitive
  • What is wilderness therapy?
  • How she deals with the challenges of high sensitivity
  • Her tips for parents of highly sensitive kids

Get in touch with Daisy:

Check out Daisy’s recommended books & favorite memoirs:

 

Want to support the show?

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If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that’s awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works.

Thank you to AB Film Review for becoming a Patreon!

Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on new podcast episodes, blog posts, and HSP news.

 

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Ep. 56: Jobs for HSPs (revisited)

careers hspsIn the past, I’ve talked about what I thought were the best jobs for HSPs-and even the #1 best job (working for oneself). But over time, my thoughts on this have changed.

In today’s show, I explain how the best job for HSPs….depends. On so many factors. I also cover some of the challenges of working for oneself, and the one question you can ask a potential employer to help decide of their company culture will be a good fit.

Resources mentioned on the show:

Other posts on this blog about jobs & careers:

Want to support the show?

patreon blog image

If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that’s awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works.

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Ep. 53: FAQs about HSPs (for people who aren’t highly sensitive)

HSP ep social media fbThis episode is especially for those who do not have the trait of high sensitivity. It’s for those who don’t understand HSP, yet want to learn more about it to support someone in their life.

In this show, I cover some “Frequently Asked Questions” about HSPs to clear up some misconceptions about the trait. Including:

  1. Aren’t “sensitive” people just drama queens and crybabies?
  2. Is “Highly Sensitive Person” a made-up thing people use as an excuse to act a certain way?
  3. Can’t you just toughen up?
  4. My partner was diagnosed as highly sensitive. How can they make it better?
  5. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around my highly sensitive partner/friend. They get upset at everything.
  6. How can I better understand my highly sensitive partner/friend/family member?

Related content on this blog:

Related content on the web:

Want to support the show?

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If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that’s awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works. Thank you to my newest patron, Shaun!!

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

HSP Podcast Ep. #50: How to stop wanting to escape your job

ep 50 blog2Have you ever thought: “If only I could quit my job, everything would be better.” And you daydream about following your passions, or traveling, or going after that business idea you’ve always fantasized about?

But you know, deep down, that you will never quit your office job, for whatever reason. And that makes you feel trapped and stifled.

Well, hopefully today’s episode will make you feel a bit better. Visions of how the “grass is greener on the other side” often have little grounding in reality. Wishful goals that haven’t been set can’t be reached-and reaching for those unset goals will only leave you disappointed.

Related content on this blog:

NOTE:
There are some things I omitted in this episode that I regret:

  1. I somewhat generalize “office jobs”. I realize that all jobs and situations are different.
  2. If you want to leave your job, I’m not saying you shouldn’t. I meant the focus of this episode to be those people who say they hate their job but won’t take steps to change it.

Thank you to Brianna Brown and others for supporting this podcast on Patreon!! THANK YOU!!

Do you like the show?

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If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that’s awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works. You can get special rewards, too!

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

The 2014-15 Gift Guide for Highly Sensitive People & Introverts

gift guide img blog

>>See the NEW 2015-16 list here<<

Whether it’s a holiday, birthday, anniversary, or just to say “Hi!”, this list can help you choose the perfect gift for your introverted, highly sensitive friend, spouse, co-worker, or family member. Featured here are presents for people who are overwhelmed by social and environment stimuli, are empathetic, sensitive to beauty, and cherish privacy and peacefulness. [Read more…]

The superpower of smell

small_429674813A few years ago, I was standing in my kitchen and I faintly smelled something. Something bad. I said to Jim, “Do you smell that?” He says no.

Now I’m on a mission. “I swear I smell something bad. Where the heck is that coming from?” I mumbled to myself.

If you are anything like me, you know what came next. I searched every single corner of the kitchen looking for this smell. [Read more…]