A Highly Sensitive Person's Life
When you feel joy, discomfort, emotions, and empathy intensely
I’ve never been able to shop with other people. Especially when someone is waiting for me. Just the idea of it sounds awful.
There have been times when my husband and I are at the mall, and I need to buy something, and he’s in a generous mood and tells me to “take my time.” Then I’ll get excited and start browsing the racks, but within a couple minutes, I can’t help but feel a weight on me… the weight of someone who is waiting for me. [Read more…]
I enjoy traveling, but it isn’t without its challenges as an HSP. Here are a list of the essentials (and, well, not-so-essentials) that will help make your trip much more comfortable and enjoyable. [Read more…]
Ok, let’s get down to business. Which careers and jobs will best fit your traits as a highly sensitive person? I previously wrote a post about the best job for HSPs, but that solution won’t work for everyone. Let’s talk about opportunities for those who need to work in a traditional workplace. First. here’s what you shouldn’t look for. [Read more…]
HSPs are hyper aware of our surroundings and tend to have a greater response to pain, discomfort, and physical experience. We can get distracted easily and we despise the feeling of being watched. Sitting in a cubicle or office for hours and hours each day makes our body hurt and our brain scream out for freedom. Alleviating some of this physical and mental pain can make a big difference in quality of life.
Here are some products and resources that can be used in the cubicle or office to make your life a little better. In the meantime, you may want to work on changing your career to get into the best job ever for HSPs.
Is there a connection between depression and being highly sensitive?
If an HSP doesn’t know they are highly sensitive, and doesn’t know how to care for themselves (like getting enough rest, setting boundaries, avoiding certain situations, etc.), they are more likely to suffer from depression. Without knowledge about the trait, an “HSP can find themselves in a chronic state of overstimulation which would then lead to too much cortisol in the system, which can then lead to depression and/or anxiety.” source
If an HSP is aware of their sensitivity, they can plan their life in the best way to avoid overstimulation and scenarios that make them feel drained and unsettled. It is essential for HSPs to learn about the trait so they can find their own stasis of peace.
To oversimplify a bit-Since HSPs tend to think about things very deeply and feel emotions strongly, it makes sense that they may feel negative, sad feelings more strongly, which can lead to depression.
HSPs often have a hard time “letting things go” and we ruminate over things for a long, long time. It is hard to quiet our mind and find peace.
Just as HSPs can appreciate things like art and nature very intensely, we can also feel other people’s (and other creature’s) pain intensely, leading to a general worry and sadness about the world, which is too much for one person to handle.
Check out my post on 7 ways to deal with the struggles of being an HSP. There is also a fantastic list on the HSP Highlights & Insights Newsletter blog of the best ways to thrive as an HSP. It discusses how to create your own “HSP Owners Manual”. I found it helpful and hope you do, too.
I wrote more about empathy for people suffering from depression in my post about Robin Williams’ suicide.
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 and environment stimuli, sensitive to temperature, uncomfortable in the workplace, and who cherish solitude and peace. Presenting: the Highly Sensitive Person & Introvert Gift Guide!
Have you ever had the feeling of being overwhelmed, but you didn’t know why?
Maybe there aren’t any huge problems or stresses in your life, but still you feel cranky and annoyed by everything. [Read more…]
People who know me well are sometimes surprised that I travel as much as I do. My husband and I traveled/lived around the world for all of 2013, going to places like Mexico, Cuba, France, Hungary, Poland, Bosnia, Bali, Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Japan on a budget. Prior to this trip, we’ve spent time in the Middle East and South America.
Since little things tend to bother me more than the average person, you’d think independent travel would be more difficult than it is for non-sensitives….and it probably is.
I recently went to a Muay Thai fight in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I’ve never seen boxing or fighting in real life before. I was looking forward to an interesting night.
I know I am sensitive to violence in movies, so I wondered if seeing people hit each other would bother me. And yeah, it kind of did.
Overstimulation. Noise, chaos, bright lights, smells, crowds. These are the highly sensitive person’s kryptonite. There are some places that have overstimulation in spades, and it’s best you avoid them if you don’t want to ruin your day. Here’s my list of the WORST possible places I can imagine as an HSP.
Casinos
Simply learning about what it means to be an HSP can change the way you see yourself and your place within the world.
