3 ways to recognize shame
Once you know how to recognize shame in all its forms, you can begin to heal this most toxic of emotions. When you feel shame, you think you feel awful because you deserve to feel awful. in other words, the shame feels like an inevitable and unavoidable consequence of... Read more
4 ways to manage the overstimulation caused by a big project
How do you manage the overstimulation caused by a big project? Stretching yourself to realize a vision—or cope with a pressing emergency– is bound to leave you overwhelmed at times, especially if you are built sensitive. But with good strategies in place, you can... Read more
Do you find conflict overwhelming?
Many sensitive people find conflict overwhelming. And we can find it particularly daunting to fight with the person to whom we usually turn for comfort and understanding. To keep our relationships healthy, we need ways to keep overarousal at bay—even when the going... Read more
How to reverse the anxiety spiral
How can you reverse the anxiety spiral? Understanding the power of the maelstrom can help you find your way back to calmer waters. I was not cut out to be a deep-sea diver. As a child I was unnerved by the mere sight of my bathwater going down the drain. The idea of... Read more
“I have strong fear reactions to things that aren’t in themselves traumatic”
If you have strong fear reactions to small stimuli, you may be experiencing subtle trauma. When you recognize the signs of subtle trauma, you move a step towards healing it. A reader, who I’ll call Sarah, sent me a thoughtful email addressing a topic that closely... Read more
Feeling anxious? Check who’s “behind the wheel” of your mind
Why do you get anxious? We think the cause of our anxiety is external. But the true cause—and the path to relief—nearly always lies within. Imagine you are six years old. You are behind the wheel of a car. You desperately need to get somewhere, and driving is the only... Read more
Sometimes “selfishness” is a really good thing
Are you selfish to think of yourself first? I don’t think so. In fact, if you are sensitive, your health and happiness depend on your answer to this question. On Saturday mornings, my partner and I eat eggs and toast for breakfast. Then we drink tea, plan our... Read more
“How much should I share?”
If you have a much going on in your mind all the time as I do, you too may have asked yourself, “How much should I share?” Here are some (not all!) of my thoughts on this important topic… I think about things. A lot. Being a sensitive person means... Read more
“I’m overwhelmed”: 6 steps to restore your sanity
For sensitive people, getting overwhelmed is a familiar experience, though we each have our different ways of dealing with it. I habitually kick into overdrive. My invisible contract says, “When the going gets tough, put your head down and work harder.” I’m aware I’m... Read moreGet your FREE guide to sensitive anxiety
(plus bi-weekly Sustainably Sensitive newsletter)
