How to ground intense emotions in your body—without getting overwhelmed

Sep 19, 2016 | 0 comments

How do you handle your most intense feelings? Are you able to keep them company when they come up, or do you feel swamped, like they are “taking over?” Intense feelings are a familiar feature of the emotional landscape for sensitive people. We may be able... Read more

How do you handle ugly, unforgivable thoughts and feelings?

Sep 5, 2016 | 6 comments

I wish I could say I’ve never had an ugly, unforgivable thought or feeling. But I have had them. One memorable example: during an overwhelmingly stressful period with my ex-husband, I caught myself wishing my daughter had never been born. I felt like a swimmer... Read more

Are you cloudy with a chance of overwhelm?

Mar 21, 2016 | 0 comments

In the chaotic year after I left my marriage, I put my oboe on the shelf. After years of performing and teaching, it was a big change to work as a sort of Girl Friday for an arts organization. It wasn’t a bad change, but it was a big one, and my emotional state... Read more

The key to shedding shame

Sep 28, 2015 | 6 comments

Remember the Incredible Hulk? The huge, raging green guy in the torn pants? I’d never offer him up as a model for emotional self-regulation. But we highly sensitive people (HSPs) have a lot to learn from the Hulk’s utter disregard for his clothes. Why?... Read more