“I can only relax when I’m alone”

Oct 1, 2019 | 6 comments

Have you ever heard yourself say, “I can only relax when I’m alone”? Sensitive people are keenly attuned to people around us, and for some of us this attunement can morph into exhausting vigilance. Read on to understand how this pattern develops and... Read more

Do you find conflict overwhelming?

Jul 5, 2019 | 1 comment

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

Tips for talking about tough subjects

Nov 20, 2017 | 2 comments

Dealing with conflict can be a big challenge for sensitive people.  We can be like the aptly named sensitive fern (onoclea sensibilis, pictured in the photo): when things get frosty, we want to shrivel up and die. How do you bring up at touchy topic with a family... Read more

Why I really, really need my own room

Nov 6, 2017 | 3 comments

I love my office. I feel so lucky to have it. I have two big desks. I can see trees, grass, flowers, and birds from three windows. I have a comfortable couch that turns into an even more comfortable bed. The room looks especially fresh and bright because we... Read more

3 blocks to asking for what you need…and how to overcome them

Jun 19, 2017 | 12 comments

In the last Listening Post I talked about “love as a feeling” vs “love as a need.” When you see love as a need, you are empowered to meet that need for yourself or for others. However, in love relationships and in other areas of our lives, many... Read more