I cried my way through Elaine Arron's books as it explained so much of my life it was such a relief. Interestingly though my excitement was not met with much enthusiasm by those around me and I find myself withdrawing, again, because it's exhausting to know all this stuff but to feel unheard and misunderstood. Some people have laughed at me, others dismiss it as "not another label" luckily a few get it but mostly I just keep quiet. Thanks for the post, its reassuring to hear all this.
Sue, thanks for such a great share. Its something I hear a lot so I thought it was worth writing on this point. I am sure others reading your comment will also resonate with your experiences of being dismissed and misunderstood. I am pleased it was reassuring to read.
I completely identify with you. A Ted talk on HSPs led me to Elaine Aron’s book. An absolute aha moment for me. I have only cautiously shared my discovery with a couple of my adult children but they seemed to be sceptical. So I keep it to myself. However, at 62, I am happy to finally understand that I am an HSP after a lifetime of being labelled over sensitive by my parents, siblings and husband and now even my children.
Thank you so much for creating the HSP revolution. It is wonderful to be able to be open without worry of ridicule and to be accepted and recognised for who I am even at this late stage. I have always thought being highly sensitive is an asset but most of the people I have encountered in my life (family, teachers and colleagues) have seen it as something negative which needs to be overcome. With efforts like yours to increase awareness there is hope this attitude will change for the benefit of future HSPs.
Thank you HL. You word it well and I think speak on behalf of many here. I do hope you'll join the HSP Revolution membership community which I'll be opening up in a month because we'll be able to continue these kinds of sharings, deeper discussions and raise awareness even more!
Thank you for this. I am 63 and on the same journey. I am wary of a sceptical response from family members with whom I wish I could connect on this topic. I feel that they are nervous around me, and they think of me as "a bit weird". Also, does anyone think that it's breaking a taboo to talk about feelings and mental health, or is it just me?
It’s an interesting question Julia and I guess it depends who you’re talking to. I think it may still be taboo with certain individuals who are fearful, uncomfortable or lack curiosity in talking about feelings and mental health. However, when you find a group of likeminded people, I believe it’s a very different situation. There is also increasing awareness in the culture and the media on mental health, so that is progress. In fact, I’ve just given a talk this week on HSPs to a global news organisation as part of their mental health week which would have been unheard of a few years ago. So the tide is definitely turning and gives me hope.
I cried my way through Elaine Arron's books as it explained so much of my life it was such a relief. Interestingly though my excitement was not met with much enthusiasm by those around me and I find myself withdrawing, again, because it's exhausting to know all this stuff but to feel unheard and misunderstood. Some people have laughed at me, others dismiss it as "not another label" luckily a few get it but mostly I just keep quiet. Thanks for the post, its reassuring to hear all this.
Sue, thanks for such a great share. Its something I hear a lot so I thought it was worth writing on this point. I am sure others reading your comment will also resonate with your experiences of being dismissed and misunderstood. I am pleased it was reassuring to read.
I completely identify with you. A Ted talk on HSPs led me to Elaine Aron’s book. An absolute aha moment for me. I have only cautiously shared my discovery with a couple of my adult children but they seemed to be sceptical. So I keep it to myself. However, at 62, I am happy to finally understand that I am an HSP after a lifetime of being labelled over sensitive by my parents, siblings and husband and now even my children.
Thanks so much for sharing H L. I’m really happy to hear you found your way to Dr Elaine Aron’s work along with this HSP newsletter and community.
Thank you so much for creating the HSP revolution. It is wonderful to be able to be open without worry of ridicule and to be accepted and recognised for who I am even at this late stage. I have always thought being highly sensitive is an asset but most of the people I have encountered in my life (family, teachers and colleagues) have seen it as something negative which needs to be overcome. With efforts like yours to increase awareness there is hope this attitude will change for the benefit of future HSPs.
Thank you HL. You word it well and I think speak on behalf of many here. I do hope you'll join the HSP Revolution membership community which I'll be opening up in a month because we'll be able to continue these kinds of sharings, deeper discussions and raise awareness even more!
Thank you for this. I am 63 and on the same journey. I am wary of a sceptical response from family members with whom I wish I could connect on this topic. I feel that they are nervous around me, and they think of me as "a bit weird". Also, does anyone think that it's breaking a taboo to talk about feelings and mental health, or is it just me?
It’s an interesting question Julia and I guess it depends who you’re talking to. I think it may still be taboo with certain individuals who are fearful, uncomfortable or lack curiosity in talking about feelings and mental health. However, when you find a group of likeminded people, I believe it’s a very different situation. There is also increasing awareness in the culture and the media on mental health, so that is progress. In fact, I’ve just given a talk this week on HSPs to a global news organisation as part of their mental health week which would have been unheard of a few years ago. So the tide is definitely turning and gives me hope.
I admire your self awareness HL. I feel the need to justify myself but maybe you’re right, it’s just enough to know for ourselves.