Weaving New Connections
Momentum building in sensitivity research; and details of our HSP retreat in the UK this summer.
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I was delighted to speak this week at the inaugural webinar of Sensitivity Research, an academic platform chaired by Professor Michael Pluess, a leading sensitivity researcher at Queen Mary University of London, who The HSP Revolution interviewed last year.
Professor Corina Greven, a psychologist who holds a Chair in Environmental Sensitivity in Health at Radboud University in the Netherlands, presented her research, and I spoke about ways to thrive as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
We were then joined for a panel with Tom Falkenstein, the psychotherapist who wrote the essential book The Highly Sensitive Man (which features on The HSP Revolution list of recommended authors), and Dr Francesca Lionetti, a developmental psychologist and researcher with expertise in parenting and children.
It felt like a big moment: More than 230 people tuned in, including psychologists, therapists, coaches and researchers across Europe and the United States — a great reminder of the growing inter-disciplinary interest in sensitivity around the world.
Dr Elaine Aron, the American psychologist who created the term HSP, has long argued that a critical mass of scientific research would be needed to win greater recognition for sensitivity in workplaces, schools and society at large. There was so much energy in the questions, and I received so many wonderful messages afterwards, that the momentum felt palpable.
And I loved that Kristien Taelman, an HSP coach and psychotherapist in Belgium, took time to write a blog in Dutch summarising the tips I shared. It’s great to feel part of a growing community of practitioners working to support highly sensitive people.
When we were asked where we would like to see additional research, I suggested further clarification of the distinctions between high sensitivity, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I’m seeing a lot of confusion between these concepts in the education and health systems, and I hope that clearer guidance may help professionals draw sharper distinctions between these different clusters of traits.
What Is An HSP Retreat? And Why Come?
The webinar was also a great reminder of the importance of building community — and I’m excited to be offering a chance to just do at at the four-day HSP Retreat I’m running with my great friend Jules De Vitto, a coach and trainer for HSPs.
The retreat is taking place at the beautiful Quadrangle in Kent, from Thursday 15 — Sunday 18 June, 2023. (Early bird tickets available to March 31).
I wanted to say a bit more about the retreat — and why Jules and I are offering it.
As an HSP, I know how much resistance I’ve often felt in the past to anything involving groups. HSPs tend to dread small talk, and we don’t like being herded into activities, or constantly asked “are you okay?”
None of that will happen at the Quadrangle.
At the same time, I have had some of my most profound experiences at retreats where I’ve had a chance to recharge my system at a deep level; connect with like-minded people; and explore deeper conversations than you tend to get at the pub.
Jules and I are curating this retreat specifically to appeal to HSPs from any stage of life — from student to retired. Men and women are coming; introverts and extraverts — it’s for anyone and everyone.
We’ll be running sessions on many of the core themes in The HSP Revolution — such as managing our energy; self-compassion; setting boundaries and whatever aspects of sensitivity you’d like to own and embody more fully.
We’ll create an accepting environment where you can take time to recharge on your own if you want — taking advantage of the beautiful woodland, huge lawn and wild swimming in a groundwater-fed chalk stream. There are steps leading down into the clean water — both from the forest garden field, and the vegetable garden.
Plus we have some very special guests facilitators: Josh Silver, for conscious dance; Vishal Desai for yoga and breathwork; and Leon Lewis for delicious healthy vegetarian meals.
The scheduled events will vary each day but include the following: ecstatic dance, sound baths, breath work, nature activities, wild swimming, singing, yoga, meditation, workshops on High Sensitivity, sharing circles and cozy fire-side gatherings in the evening. All activities are optional and you'll also have plenty of time to relax in nature.
So treat yourself to a unique opportunity to power down your HSP nervous system, and connect with others looking to make the most of the joys that sensitivity brings.
See you there!