the Loud, Fast, Too Much World. The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person - Jenn Granneman and Andre Solo

 

Source: recommendation by friend and poet Emilee Weeks. I checked it out from the library

I can see why she recommended it to me. I've always known I was a little on the orchid side. People started telling me early on that I was "sensitive" usually combined with the word "too." 

I remember bursting into tears when my third grade teacher kindly advised me that I had used way too much glue on my art project. Thankfully I had super caring sympathetic parents who also encouraged me to be tough but didn't diminish my nature or make me feel "less than." 

I made a vow early in life that I would do my best to avoid the censor of any authority figure. I became adept at reading adults and conforming to their particular expectations. I'm not alone according to these authors. 

I've been aware of my "super powers" and "fatal flaws" for a pretty long time through my personality psychology studies, readings, and observations of myself and others. I'm pretty creative, empathetic, intuitive, conscientious, organized. 

This book offered new insights on how sensitive folks process the world at a neurological level. I think I've subconsciously been pretty hard on myself for some things that I guess I just saw as weaknesses. Like here's some examples - putting my jacket on and off 10 times during the day (constant temperature fluctuations,) blood sugar dips (why am I always snacking when other people seem to be fine?), difficulty concentrating in noisy environments, being overwhelmed by crowds (esp indoors - to the point of semi-panicked claustrophobic dashes for the outdoors), needing time (and preferably a way) to process anything and everything that occurs especially emotionally charged situations..

Then there's the empath thing. Walking into a room and immediately absorbing the mood and energy of everyone present. This sensitivity apparently makes it rough for HSPs in romantic relationships. Pair their incessant desire/expectation for high level in-depth interaction with their need for space, quiet, and recovery time - yep- tough lot. 

I think my main takeaways - are to give myself mental grace when I need extra recovery time and also to continue practicing habits that will re-center my nervous system. 

I really liked the chapter on job crafting. It really helped me feel positive about my job which is very detailed and introverted. It doesn't seem to tap into some of my giftings but after reading this, I really see how it actually is a great fit. I work in a quiet environment that is fairly low stress. I do highly detailed work. I enjoy a relative amount of freedom in how I prioritize tasks and I can continue to hone my role into something that is a good fit for me and a contribution to the company. 

A great read for sensitive souls or for someone who has one in their midst.