A little while ago I embraced the idea of being highly-sensitive. Though it’s a label, and therefore imperfect, it is really making a difference in my life:
- Past experiences make more sense. Looking back I see that throughout my life–both as a child and as an adult– there were times I was overwhelmed or overstimulated by circumstances, especially involving groups. Though initially I was often quite social and happy in such situations, eventually I often got overwhelmed, and usually reacted by withdrawing. Over and over, I was very confused and upset by this. Looking back, it makes a sense that I was just coping with things feeling too intense and not knowing how else to respond.
- So do my present reactions to life. Nowadays, I am consciously aware of the likelihood that I could get overwhelmed and feel a need to retreat. Rather than ignoring or denying it, I go with it. For example, over the past few days I experienced some overwhelm. It helped to think I might just need a break. This helped take the pressure off.
- I’m nicer to myself. Nowadays, I see myself through a more compassionate lens. I am more accepting of myself. For example, if I see someone doing something that I might find challenging or problematic–such as continually being among a crowd, or frequently taking the spotlight– I can say, “Well, maybe they aren’t sensitive to that particular situation. That’s fine for them. And I’m fine the way I am.” This shift really makes a difference.
- I have more faith in the process. I am better at taking my own head with a grain of salt. I can see automatic reactions come over me, typically negative head trash, but I am better knowing it is just noise. It is temporary. The good feelings will be back soon!
- I’m paving the way for more of what I want. I am interrupting old patterns of thought that don’t feel good and reaching continually for better-feeling thoughts. This is a foundation for consistently attracting what I want.
Chris, this is great. You are reaching for more presence, more awareness, and more self-control that comes from being guided by who you want to be, not just what the circumstance is eliciting automatically from you.*
You bet I am!
*This comment was a response from “My Higher Self” to an earlier draft of this blog post. Whether or not it makes sense anymore, I liked it, so it stays.