If a friend, co-worker, or family member asks you to do something for them or with them, how likely are you to say “no”?  As an HSP, the answer is probably “not very likely at all.” Time and time again, you find yourself denying rest and downtime you so desperately need to accommodate others’ requests. You certainly don’t want to disappoint anyone, right? Because you’re a highly sensitive person, you feel their disappointment too. And you don’t want them to feel that way.  So you say yes to them. And no to yourself.  Again. Stop the Cycle Why You Have Trouble Setting Boundaries ..read more

If you’re a highly sensitive person, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with perfectionism.  And if you’re dealing with perfectionism, you want things to be a certain way. You hold certain ideals for yourself. HSPs often think, “When ‘x,’ then I’ll be good enough.”  While this is typical for a highly sensitive person like yourself, it can be challenging to handle. Perfectionism isn’t actually focused on personal growth. It’s focused on the fear of not being good enough. And that can be damaging to your feelings of self-worth.  As a highly sensitive person, it’s crucial for yo ..read more

We all fall into the comparison trap. It’s especially easy to do nowadays with the onslaught of beautiful family portraits, incredible accomplishments, and infallible physical perfection on social media. When you compare yourself to others, you automatically, and without really trying, tear yourself down by being your own worst inner critic.  This is especially true if you are a highly sensitive person (HSP). Not only are you hyper-aware of everyone else’s feelings, whether good or bad, but you are also wired differently than roughly 80% of the population. One of the issues many of my cl ..read more

While you’ve reached a certain age that identifies you as an “adult,” you still have an inner child. Everyone carries one inside. But if you experienced childhood trauma or neglect, your inner child is likely wounded and in emotional pain.  You may feel your inner child is vulnerable and small, requiring protection from more pain. And to protect yourself, you may have buried any pain you experienced.  But unfortunately, hiding it inside won’t help you. It’ll only lead to difficulties as an adult. As a child, you did what you could to protect yourself and it’s important to remember ..read more

With the new year comes an onslaught of recommendations for “fresh starts,” becoming a “new you”, and achieving that long-awaited dream.  It’s a lot.  And if you are a highly sensitive person (HSP), it can feel intolerable. Some days can be challenging enough to get through without worrying about whether or not you should somehow become a “better” version of yourself.  That’s why, as an HSP, it’s wise to forego the traditional idea of “new year’s resolutions” and, instead, focus on setting intentions for the new year. And one of the most crucial intentions to set for yourself ..read more

The Inner Critic. That familiar voice that arrives at exactly the wrong time, spitting judgment, criticism, and guilt your way. It nestles into the tenderest parts of you, turning your confidence to shame, and your delight to fear. It seems to know all your secrets, and worst of all, it sounds just like you. When we try to run or hide or distract ourselves from the Inner Critic, it only seems to get stronger. The more we fight against it, the louder it gets, saturating everything around it. Fortunately, you don’t have to fall victim to your Inner Critic. Instead, there are steps you can take t ..read more

Almost everyone experiences holiday stress on some level. With the crowded stores, holiday parties, gift wrapping, decorating, and cramming-in-of-way-too-many things before the holiday season, it’s almost impossible to escape the hustle and bustle.  But as a highly sensitive person, your holiday stress can reach next-level proportions if you’re not intentional about protecting yourself from overwhelm and overstimulation. And don’t forget about attempting to stay above water while wading in the waters of challenging family dynamics.  In a recent blog post, I discussed 6 Important Ho ..read more

To an HSP, the holiday season can feel like anything but “the most wonderful time of the year.” The hustle and bustle of it all, stores packed to the brim with eager shoppers, holiday party invites, gift lists a mile long, the upcoming family get-togethers – it’s a lot. While the hectic nature of the holiday season is a recipe for overwhelm for anyone, it’s almost a given for highly sensitive people.  But that doesn’t mean HSPs can’t have a wonderfully enjoyable holiday season. It’s just going to take a little planning, boundary-setting, and attention to your own needs. If you’re looking ..read more

When you read this, release your shoulders from your ears, unclench your jaw, and release your tongue from the roof of your mouth. We physically tend to hold onto stress in the least noticeable ways. R-E-L-A-X Easier said then done, am I right? It’s easy to go about our day feeling stressed and do nothing about it. We feel like we don’t have the time or the energy to do anything else but work, work, work. It is challenging to be a mindful human being; to make conscious decisions throughout the workday to take care of ourselves. Do you check in with yourself throughout your work day to see how ..read more

For highly sensitive people, the world can be an overwhelming place. For some, heightened awareness to the words and feelings of others leaves you feeling worn out. For others, heavy traffic, bright lights, and crowded spaces leave you daydreaming about moving to a secret island all your own.  For all highly sensitive people, the daily grind of life can feel like too much.  But there is hope! With a bit of planning and self-care, you will be able to navigate the daily challenges of life without feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Use the strategies below to make a plan, so that when ..read more