THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON :: EMPATH
Photo by Jessi Jones
"Being a HSP is my gift and allows me to connect and provide care for people that makes them feel simply validated and heard, but being a HSP also provides challenges in life that can be navigated in order to utilize my gift in a healthy way."
Ash
My parents and brother also have these gifts.
We have big hearts and wear them on our sleeves. This can be dangerous for our health.
I have yet to read Elaine Aron's book, but I found out about it on her appearance in a sounds true podcast that was recommended to me by my therapist.
I loved the podcast episode!
Check back soon for MORE!
THE STIGMA
"Snowflake"
"They're weird!
You're overreacting
Loss of friends and family
They are too much
We are taught to suppress emotions
They have a problem
Bullying
Judgement
Unaccepted
I am in my 30's and I am just beginning to navigate and use this gift to my advantage instead of feeling lost by it.
I am growing confidence and acceptance around this part of me.
Before I knew
Not Confident
I was confused
Anxious
Uneducated
I was harder on myself
Overwhelmed
Suppressed
Emotional and Physical Pain
Negative Self Talk
Low energy and Fatigue
I felt alone
How I know I am a HSP and Empath
I am hyperaware of my surroundings
I get symptoms
My body feels heavily the same that others around me feel.
I need a slower paced life
I get overwhelmed easily
I am a deep thinker
People confide in me to listen and hear them
My energy gets depleted fast, especially by toxic people
My TOOLS TO NAVIGATE
Slow down!
SELF CARE!
Quality not Quantity
I stopped trying to please everyone and stopped trying to fit in.
Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness
Focus on myself
BOUNDARIES!
Needing more time to down regulate and unwind.
Working on not caring about what people think.
Still Navigating
My FAVorite HSP and Empath Resources
I was born a highly sensitive person and an emotional empath.
When I was 3, I remember being overwhelmed by the world. I didn't know anything about being sensitive until I was older.
I remember being sent clear messages from people that being sensitive was a bad thing.
There is STILL SO MUCH STIGMA around being a sensitive person.
I know these gifts are how I connect with people and relate.