Podcasts about Hsps

Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  What if the very thing you've been criticizing about yourself is actually one of your greatest strengths? If you've ever felt like you notice more than everyone else, need extra downtime, or have been told you're "too sensitive," this episode will help you understand why. Discover the science behind high sensitivity and learn how understanding your nervous system can replace years of self-doubt with self-compassion. Discover the four research-backed traits that define a Highly Sensitive Person and why sensitivity is much more than simply feeling emotions deeply. Learn why overwhelm, deep thinking, and heightened awareness are natural parts of the HSP temperament—not personal flaws. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion by understanding how your sensitivity is designed to help you thrive. Press play to discover how understanding your unique sensitivity can help you stop questioning yourself and start embracing the strengths you were designed to bring to the world.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In this episode, Alissa gets into why the instinct to smooth things over the second someone reacts to your boundary is actually a form of people pleasing, and why building your tolerance for that discomfort is the first step toward feeling unbotherable.Alissa traces this back to the fear of abandonment underneath it, whether that shows up as a partner flipping the story back on you or a family member waving off a hurtful comment as a joke. She shows how the pattern gets reinforced every time it's smoothed over instead of named, and why noticing what's actually driving the rush to resolution is what starts to shift the pattern.Alissa shares what it actually looks like to sit in the discomfort of a boundary instead of collapsing it, so you can source your safety and self-respect from within instead of from someone else's reaction.In this episode, you'll learn:Why the urge to smooth things over the moment your boundary lands is people pleasingHow to recognize when you're rushing to resolution out of a fear of abandonment rather than genuine repairWhy letting someone avoid the consequences of their own behavior quietly teaches them how to treat youHow trusting what your body is telling you becomes more reliable than the story someone else is offering in the momentWhy pushback from someone who's benefited from your smallness is a sign you're doing this right, not a sign you did something wrongUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Struggling to say no without feeling guilty? Get the "Saying No with Grace" guide. https://trueinnerfreedom.com/saying-no-with-grace/ Why does saying "no" feel so hard—even when you know it's the right answer? If you're a highly sensitive person, you've probably experienced the exhausting cycle of knowing what you need, then talking yourself out of it because you're worried about disappointing someone else. This episode explores why that happens, what your nervous system is trying to protect, and how understanding this hidden pattern can help you stop sacrificing yourself to keep others comfortable. By listening, you'll discover: Why knowing you want to say no doesn't automatically make it easier to do. What your mind is really trying to accomplish when someone reacts with disappointment. How to set honest, compassionate boundaries without feeling responsible for other people's emotions.   Press play to discover how saying no can become an act of clarity instead of guilt—and experience the freedom that comes from carrying only the responsibilities that truly belong to you.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Can you burn out doing the work you love—or is something deeper quietly draining your energy? If you're a highly sensitive person, meaningful work often feels like a calling. But when passion turns into pressure, it's easy to lose your boundaries, carry work everywhere you go, and mistake emotional exhaustion for being in the wrong career. Understand why loving your work doesn't make you immune to burnout. Discover the hidden mental habits that turn meaningful work into an endless responsibility. Learn practical ways to restore healthy boundaries so you can enjoy your work without sacrificing your well-being. Listen now to discover how to keep doing the work you love while protecting your energy, reclaiming your joy, and creating a more sustainable way to thrive.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/  Why do you keep hiding parts of yourself—even when you desperately want to be authentic? If you're a highly sensitive person, you've probably promised yourself you'd stop people-pleasing or holding back. Yet in the moments that matter, you still say, "I'm fine," stay quiet, or shrink yourself. This episode reveals why that happens and how your nervous system—not a lack of courage—is often driving the pattern. By listening, you'll discover: Why HSPs instinctively hide parts of themselves to feel emotionally safe. How your nervous system learns to self-edit and why authenticity can feel risky. A compassionate path toward feeling safer, more genuine, and more at home being yourself. Press play to discover why you've been hiding—and how understanding the fear beneath the pattern can help you finally feel safe enough to be yourself.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In this episode, Alissa gets into why triggers land the way they do and why finding the root cause is the first step toward feeling steady, unshakable, and less at the mercy of what everyone around you is doing.Most triggers trace back to one of two places, an old wound from the past or an unmet need in the present. Alissa shows how naming that root pulls the charge out of it, so emotional memory stops determining your responses.Alissa walks through what it actually looks like to clean up your side of the street so you can confidently source your safety from within.In this episode, you'll learn:Why a reaction that feels disproportionate to the moment is a clue you've been triggeredThe two roots of most triggers, an old wound or an unmet need, and how to tell which one is showing upHow pulling the charge out of a past experience lets a familiar situation lose its gripWhat "cleaning up your side of the street" looks like before you decide whether a conversation is even neededWhy working through a trigger once makes it quieter every single time it comes backHow sourcing your safety from within frees you from living at the mercy of other people's choicesUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

How often do you take care of yourself? In this episode, I talk with Angelique Foye-Fletcher, LMFT, RPT about breaking the cycle of self-sacrifice and:How your cultural upbringing shapes your identity as an HSPLearning to take care of yourself when you grew up in an environment or culture that didn't have room for your sensitivityWhy simple acts of mindfulness are deeply healing and can change the way you parentAngelique Foye-Fletcher (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist who helps sensitive, neurodivergent adults and caregivers heal through her four pillars of Books, Nature, Play, and Connection. An INFJ, HSP, and Enneagram 4, Angelique brings curiosity, ritual, and deep empathy into her work—often lighting incense or walking in nature as part of her own healing practice.Keep in touch with Angelique:Website: https://foyefletchertherapy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foyefletchertherapyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foyefletcherllcResources Mentioned:Parent/Caregiver Support: https://foyefletchertherapy.com/parentcaregiver-support-coachingReconnect + Rejuvenate Support: https://foyefletchertherapy.com/coachingtherapy-packagesFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.  Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.  

Being seen can feel deeply vulnerable for highly sensitive people.Whether you are sharing an honest thought, setting a boundary, expressing a need, sharing something creative, or letting more of your true self be known, visibility can bring up anxiety, self-doubt, overthinking, and fear of judgment.In this episode we explore why visibility can feel so activating for highly sensitive people, because being seen often touches old fears of rejection, criticism, misunderstanding, or not feeling safe to be fully yourself.You'll learn the difference between exposure and supported visibility, and why self-expression does not have to mean pushing past your limits or overwhelming your nervous system.This episode offers a grounded approach to visibility as a nervous system stretch - something you can practice in small, supported ways rather than forcing yourself into the biggest, scariest version of being seen.You'll explore questions like:What am I protecting myself from?Is this fear trying to protect me from real danger, or from the vulnerability of being known?What is one small, supported way I could let more of myself be seen?What would help my nervous system feel supported before, during, or after that step?If you are a highly sensitive person, empath, introvert, deep feeler, creative person, or someone who struggles with visibility anxiety, fear of judgment, people-pleasing, self-expression, over-explaining, or hiding your true self, this episode will help you understand your fear with compassion and begin practicing small moments of honest expression.You do not have to become fearless in order to be brave.Inside Rooted Resilience, we practice this kind of supported growth in gentle, practical ways.Rooted Resilience is my monthly membership for highly sensitive people who want nervous system support, emotional resilience, mindfulness practices, and tools they can actually use in daily life.It is a space to learn how to come back to yourself in real moments: when you feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, emotionally stretched, afraid to speak honestly, or unsure how to honor your sensitivity without making your life smaller.You can learn more about Rooted Resilience here:https://yogiranger.com/rooted-resilienceYou may also enjoy these Insight Timer practices:Yoga Nidra for Nervous System Reset & Deep Rest:https://insighttimer.com/yogiranger/guided-meditations/yoga-nidra-for-nervous-system-reset-deep-rest_1You Are Already Enough: A Deep Reset For Self-Worth https://insighttimer.com/yogiranger/guided-meditations/you-are-already-enough-a-deep-reset-for-self-worth New to the podcast? Start here:Episode 33 – Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?Episode 39 – The Hidden Struggles & Strengths of Highly Sensitive PeopleEpisode 40 – Boundaries for Highly Sensitive PeopleEpisode 41 – Nervous System Regulation for HSPs

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  What if your stress management routine is actually making you more stressed? As a highly sensitive person, it's natural to want more peace and less overwhelm. But the constant search for the perfect routine, meditation practice, or self-help strategy can quietly become another exhausting project. In this episode, you'll discover why this happens and how to step out of the cycle without giving up on caring for yourself. Discover why highly sensitive people often turn stress management into an endless pursuit of perfection. Learn how well-intentioned habits like meditation, sleep optimization, and personal growth can unintentionally create more pressure. Explore a more peaceful approach that allows you to care for yourself without making stress elimination your next full-time job.   Press play to discover how letting go of perfect stress management can help you experience the peace you've been searching for.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Leave work at work. Get the Work-Life Boundary Reset. https://trueinnerfreedom.com/work-life-boundary-reset/ Why does work keep running through your mind long after you've already left for the day? If you're a highly sensitive person, the problem may not be that you're bad at relaxing. Your nervous system may be holding onto unfinished mental loops, making it difficult to fully disconnect from work, be present with the people you love, and enjoy the downtime you've earned. Understand why unfinished work keeps pulling your attention back, even after the workday ends. Discover what your nervous system is really trying to accomplish when it refuses to "clock out." Learn the simple perspective shift that can help you leave work at work and reclaim your evenings. Listen now to discover how understanding your nervous system can help you finally let go of work and make your evenings feel like your own again.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Are you really an introvert—or has an overwhelmed nervous system convinced you that you are? If you're a highly sensitive person, you've probably noticed that crowds drain you, social events leave you exhausted, and quiet feels like the only way to recover. It's easy to assume that means you're an introvert. But what if your need for solitude is actually a response to chronic overstimulation rather than your true personality? In this episode, you'll discover why high sensitivity and introversion are separate traits, and how understanding the difference can help you make choices based on what truly restores and energizes you. By listening, you'll discover: Why being highly sensitive doesn't automatically mean you're an introvert. How chronic stress and nervous system overwhelm can make you feel more introverted than you naturally are. How to tell the difference between needing recovery and genuinely preferring solitude so you can better understand your own needs.   Listen now to uncover what's really driving your need for alone time and learn how understanding your nervous system can help you create a life that's both more balanced and more authentic.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In this week's episode, Alissa shares a quick hack that quietly rewrites how you see yourself: "I'm the type of person who..." So often you pin your happiness on the outcome, the finished book, the dream partner, the number of followers. Alissa offers an alternative, letting the process itself become the proof and validation of who you're becoming. Every time you act like the person you want to be, you teach yourself to expect that version of you to show up (even when you don't feel like it).In this episode, you'll learn:How the phrase "I'm the type of person who" shifts your self-concept in real timeWhy tying your happiness to the outcome makes the whole journey feel worseHow to turn everyday hard moments into evidence of who you're becomingWhat showing up to an almost empty room taught Alissa about building real confidenceHow to use this practice with people pleasing, exercise, dating, and creative workWhy falling off track is its own chance to prove the kind of person you areUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Have you felt embarrassed by your sensitivity? In this episode, I talk with William Allen about the journey of learning to understand and embrace being an HSP as well as:Moving from living inauthentically to accepting your sensitivityThe challenges faced by HSP men such as lack of community and models of sensitive masculinityPracticing portable self-care such as meditation, breathing, and connection with nature to recover from overwhelm more quicklyFinding more resilience as an HSP with the 3Es: Educate, Embrace, EvangelizeWilliam is an author with a writer's heart and researcher's mind. After getting a degree in Psychology with an eye on doing psychology research, he recalibrated for a career in Information Technology. He retired early from his corporate job to start his Hypno-coaching and neurofeedback brain training business, BrainPilots, in Bend, Oregon. In late 2016, he began his blog, The Sensitive Man, about his experiences, as a highly sensitive man. The blog became the genesis of his first book, Confessions of a Sensitive Man. His new book, On Being a Sensitive Man, is the follow up book, which focuses on how to live in the world as a sensitive man. He feels that HSP males need to take their keen insights and intuition and make them public. He would like to shed more light on highly sensitive males and the much-needed role they need to take in our society.Keep in touch with William:Website: http://www.thesensitiveman.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zallenwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesensitivemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wrallenResources Mentioned:Online HSP Men's Group: https://www.thesensitiveman.com/hsp-mens-group.htmlConfessions of a Sensitive Man by William Allen: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781098325169On Being a Sensitive Man: Success Strategies for Harnessing Your Highly Sensing Nature by William Allen: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781667817439The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182Research on High Sensitivity: https://sensitivityresearch.comSensitive: The Untold Story documentary: https://sensitivethemovie.comSensitive Men Rising documentary: https://sensitivemenrising.orgFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.  Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.  

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/  Why does someone needing your help sometimes make you want to run away? As a highly sensitive person, you naturally care deeply about the people in your life. But when someone begins relying on you, that care can quietly turn into anxiety, guilt, and the fear of losing yourself. If you've ever wondered why relationships can start to feel heavy—even when you genuinely love the people involved—this episode uncovers the hidden pattern behind it. By listening to this episode, you'll discover: Why highly sensitive people often mistake someone else's needs for their own responsibility. The hidden beliefs that lead to overgiving, resentment, and emotional exhaustion. How to separate love from responsibility so you can support others without sacrificing your own peace and freedom. Press play now to discover how you can care deeply, set healthier emotional boundaries, and experience relationships that feel lighter instead of overwhelming.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Are you really a perfectionist—or has fear been masquerading as your sensitivity all along? Many highly sensitive people believe stress and perfectionism simply come with the territory. But what if your natural sensitivity isn't the source of the pressure? In this episode, you'll learn why sensitivity is one of your greatest strengths, how fear quietly turns healthy caring into exhausting perfectionism, and what changes when you separate the two. Discover the crucial difference between healthy sensitivity and fear-driven perfectionism. Learn how to recognize the moment caring shifts into pressure, overthinking, and self-criticism. Find out how to keep your empathy, conscientiousness, and high standards—without carrying the stress that perfectionism creates. Press play to discover how letting go of fear—not your sensitivity—can help you accomplish more with greater confidence, peace, and ease.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Have you ever wondered if you are an empath, a highly sensitive person, or both? I'm breaking down the difference between an empath and an HSP, which stands for highly sensitive person. I explain what empathy is, what makes someone an empath, and how empaths often absorb the emotions and energy of people, groups, and places. When we do not understand this about ourselves, it can lead to overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and the feeling that something is wrong with us when really, we are picking up on energy that may not even belong to us. I also share common traits of empaths, including sensitivity to light, sound, crowds, other people's emotions, nature, animals, and authenticity. Then, I explain how highly sensitive people are similar to empaths, but with one key difference: HSPs may sense and feel deeply, but they do not absorb other people's emotions in the same way an empath does. Key Takeaways Empathy is the ability to feel with another person, but being an empath takes this sensitivity to another level Empaths are deeply attuned to the energy and emotions of people, groups, and places Many empaths do not realize they are absorbing emotions that are not their own Unaware empaths may experience overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety, depression, or mood instability Empaths often feel deeply connected to nature and animals Crowds, noise, bright lights, television, news, and chaotic environments can feel overwhelming to an empath's nervous system People are often naturally drawn to empaths and may share deeply personal things with them Empaths can often sense when someone is being inauthentic or hiding behind a mask Alone time, or "cave time," helps empaths recharge Self-care, nature, grounding, boundaries, and micro moments of peace are essential for empaths Highly sensitive people and empaths share many traits, but HSPs do not absorb other people's emotions in the same way You can be both an empath and a highly sensitive person MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com Membership: The Adult Chair® Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Stop spiraling after criticism. Get The Emotional Buffer Builder: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/emotional-buffer/ Why does even small criticism feel so painful—like something is deeply wrong or the relationship itself is at risk? If you're a highly sensitive person, criticism often feels like much more than simple feedback. What may seem like a small comment from a partner, client, boss, or friend can quickly trigger fear, self-doubt, and an overwhelming urge to explain, fix, or shut down. The real struggle isn't just the criticism—it's what your nervous system believes it means. In this episode, you'll discover: Why criticism can feel so deeply triggering as a highly sensitive person What's actually happening in your nervous system when disapproval feels like rejection How to stay grounded and connected to yourself instead of losing yourself in people-pleasing, over-explaining, or emotional collapse   Listen now to learn how to stop spiraling after criticism and build the emotional steadiness to stay calm, clear, and connected to yourself—even when someone is unhappy with you.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Do you ever feel like clutter isn't just messy—it's loud? For highly sensitive people, visual clutter can feel like constant noise, making it nearly impossible to relax, focus, or feel at peace in your own home.In this episode, Kathi Lipp continues her conversation with Cheri Gregory about the unique challenges HSPs face when it comes to decluttering. Together, they tackle real questions from Cheri's Sensitive and Strong community—questions about perfectionism, procrastination, sentimental items, and how to have productive conversations with loved ones about clutter.What Listeners Will DiscoverThe power of pre-deciding: Learn how to make decluttering decisions when you're calm so you don't get stuck in the emotional heat of the momentHow to handle items with emotional weight: Practical questions to ask yourself about kids' art, photos, letters, baby gear, and family heirloomsManaging visual reminders without chaos: Strategies for keeping necessary lists and notes without letting them take over your spaceHaving the clutter conversation: How to help loved ones understand that wanting a calm home isn't about control—it's about capacityKey TakeawaysPre-deciding is about borrowing wisdom from your calm self before your overwhelmed self walks into the closet. When you make decisions ahead of time—like "I only keep clothes that fit my current body and my current life"—you reduce the emotional labor of repeated decision-making.For sentimental items, Kathi suggests asking: "Does this represent this person, our season together, or a memory of us well?" and "Would I go looking for this if it were gone?" These questions help distinguish between items kept with love versus those kept from guilt or obligation.Perhaps most importantly, this episode reframes the conversation about clutter and capacity. A calm home isn't about control—it's about having the capacity to show up as your best self for the people you love.

For most highly sensitive people, advocating for a physical need feels like being a burden. Jen Fitzpatrick, a celiac advocate and founder of the Confident Celiac Community, joins Alissa to talk about the years she spent staying quiet about her own needs and the shift that finally changed it.The tension is one a lot of HSPs with a chronic condition know well. Speaking up is what keeps you safe, but every people pleasing instinct says stay quiet instead. Alissa and Jen unpack why that instinct runs so deep and how to move through it anyway.Pulling from Jen's diagnosis story, a study abroad trip where she watched everyone else eat what she couldn't, and Alissa's own experience navigating her daughter's recent diagnosis, the conversation moves through shame, community and self worth.In this episode, you'll learn:Why highly sensitive people are especially likely to stay quiet about a chronic health needJen's own story of cross contamination scares and learning to advocate for herself after years of people pleasingThe simple swap that changed everything for Jen, saying thank you instead of sorryWhy choosing ten seconds of social discomfort is almost always worth it over days of physical painHow finding community turned a hard diagnosis into something less isolating for both Jen and AlissaFollow Jen:Website: https://www.thenomadicfitzpatricks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenomadicfitz Self-Love Toolkit: https://the-nomadic-fitzpatricks-gluten-free.teachable.com/p/celiac-self-love-toolkit-1059254 Uncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Do you ever feel like clutter isn't just messy—it's loud? For highly sensitive people, visual clutter can feel like constant noise, making it nearly impossible to relax, focus, or feel at peace in your own home.In this episode, Kathi Lipp continues her conversation with Cheri Gregory about the unique challenges HSPs face when it comes to decluttering. Together, they tackle real questions from Cheri's Sensitive and Strong community—questions about perfectionism, procrastination, sentimental items, and how to have productive conversations with loved ones about clutter.What Listeners Will DiscoverThe power of pre-deciding: Learn how to make decluttering decisions when you're calm so you don't get stuck in the emotional heat of the momentHow to handle items with emotional weight: Practical questions to ask yourself about kids' art, photos, letters, baby gear, and family heirloomsManaging visual reminders without chaos: Strategies for keeping necessary lists and notes without letting them take over your spaceHaving the clutter conversation: How to help loved ones understand that wanting a calm home isn't about control—it's about capacityKey TakeawaysPre-deciding is about borrowing wisdom from your calm self before your overwhelmed self walks into the closet. When you make decisions ahead of time—like "I only keep clothes that fit my current body and my current life"—you reduce the emotional labor of repeated decision-making.For sentimental items, Kathi suggests asking: "Does this represent this person, our season together, or a memory of us well?" and "Would I go looking for this if it were gone?" These questions help distinguish between items kept with love versus those kept from guilt or obligation.Perhaps most importantly, this episode reframes the conversation about clutter and capacity. A calm home isn't about control—it's about having the capacity to show up as your best self for the people you love.

Have you gotten stuck in the belief that HSPs are fragile? In this episode, I talk with Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali, LMFT about celebrating your sensitivity and:  Teaching people how to treat you and communicating that your needs are differentSetting firm, but kind boundaries and how to manage pushbackFinding fulfilling ways to socialize without the overwhelm or social pressure to show up like everyone elseRewriting the messages that say HSPs are weird, too sensitive, shy, or weakIt's possible for highly sensitive people to be ambitious, resilient, and strongIbinye is a licensed marriage and family therapist for couples and women with anxiety and insomnia. As a coach, she helps highly sensitive women set clear, kind boundaries, so they can put their needs at the forefront of their lives, stand up for themselves and rock social situations. When she's not working with HSPs she loves trying out new foods and taking naps.Keep in touch with Ibinye:Website: http://www.thezinniapractice.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezinniapracticeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thezinniapracticeResources Mentioned:Individual Coaching for Highly Sensitive Women: https://calendly.com/ibi-k7ob/consultHSP Self-Test: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-testFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.  Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.  

Sensitivity is not fragility, and nervous system healing does not mean avoiding everything uncomfortable.In this episode we explore how highly sensitive people can honor their nervous systems while still living brave, meaningful, expressive lives.If you are a highly sensitive person, you may have wondered: Is this discomfort a sign that something is wrong for me, or is my nervous system asking for more support as I stretch toward something that matters?This episode offers a compassionate and practical framework for understanding the difference between discomfort that signals danger, discomfort that comes with growth, and overwhelm that means you need more support.You'll learn the difference between:Comfort Zone: familiar, manageable, and supportive for rest and recoveryCapacity Zone: stretching, uncomfortable, meaningful, and workable with supportOverwhelm Zone: too much, too fast, or too unsupportedThis episode is especially supportive if you are a highly sensitive person, empath, deep feeler, or sensitive soul who struggles with anxiety, overthinking, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, self-doubt, visibility, or fear of doing hard things.You'll explore questions like:Am I activated and still connected to myself?Do I still have access to choice?Is this discomfort connected to something meaningful?Can I make this more manageable?What support would change this?You do not have to choose between honoring your nervous system and living a life that stretches you. You can rest, prepare, ask for support, go slowly, say no when something is truly too much, and say yes when something meaningful is asking you to grow.Inside Rooted Resilience, we practice this kind of supported growth in practical ways.Rooted Resilience is my monthly membership for highly sensitive people who want nervous system support, emotional resilience, mindfulness practices, and tools they can actually use in daily life.It is a space to learn how to come back to yourself in real moments: when you feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, emotionally stretched, afraid to speak honestly, or unsure how to honor your sensitivity without making your life smaller.You can learn more about Rooted Resilience here:https://yogiranger.com/rooted-resilienceYou may also enjoy these Insight Timer practices:Yoga Nidra for Nervous System Reset & Deep Rest: https://insighttimer.com/yogiranger/guided-meditations/yoga-nidra-for-nervous-system-reset-deep-rest_1Yoga Nidra for Burnout Recovery: https://insighttimer.com/yogiranger/guided-meditations/yoga-nidra-for-highly-sensitive-people-burnout-recoveryNew to the podcast? Start here:Episode 33 – Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?Episode 39 – The Hidden Struggles & Strengths of Highly Sensitive PeopleEpisode 40 – Boundaries for Highly Sensitive PeopleEpisode 41 – Nervous System Regulation for HSPs

Are you constantly feeling pressure to know more, prepare more, and get everything right before you speak, teach, or share? For highly sensitive people, criticism can feel deeply personal. Even small feedback can trigger overthinking, self-doubt, and the exhausting need to prepare for every possible mistake. This episode uncovers why that pressure feels so intense—and what's really driving it. Understand why criticism often feels more threatening for highly sensitive people Learn how fear of being wrong fuels perfectionism, overpreparation, and constant pressure Discover how letting go of false identities creates more peace, confidence, and freedom Press play to learn how releasing the need to be perfect can help you show up with more peace, authenticity, and confidence.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/  Have you spent years understanding your trauma… and still find yourself stuck in the same emotional reactions? Many highly sensitive people deeply understand their trauma, attachment patterns, and emotional triggers—yet still freeze in conflict, people-please, overthink criticism, or feel anxious in relationships. This episode explores why insight alone often doesn't create healing, and why true freedom requires something deeper than intellectual understanding. Understand why knowing your trauma doesn't automatically stop emotional reactions Learn how protective emotional patterns continue responding to old dangers Discover a deeper path to healing by connecting with the part of you still carrying fear Listen now to uncover why healing may not come from more analysis—but from finally helping the fearful part of you feel safe enough to let go.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Do you ever feel like clutter affects you more deeply than it seems to affect others? Like a messy kitchen doesn't just annoy you—it actually dysregulates your entire day? If so, you might be among the 20-30% of the population known as Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), and this episode is for you.In this conversation, Kathi sits down with her longtime friend and co-author Cheri Gregory to explore the unique challenges HSPs face when it comes to everyday home management. From sensory overwhelm to decision fatigue, from all-or-nothing thinking to the dreaded "frenzy" mode, Cheri helps listeners understand why clutter can feel so much more overwhelming for some people—and what to do about it.What Listeners Will DiscoverThe five key qualities of a Highly Sensitive Person and how they impact home organizationWhy that tidy house feels like your nervous system finally exhaled—and why it's so hard to maintainThe difference between a "catch-up day" and a "stabilizing day" (this reframe changes everything)A simple three-step reentry plan when life knocks your systems off trackHow to recognize "frenzy mode" and why going big might be sabotaging your progressThe power of self-compassion and curiosity in creating lasting changeThe Reentry Plan for Overwhelmed DaysWhen everything feels like it's fallen apart, Kathi offers this gentle three-step approach:Deal with anything that smells, spills, or blocks food - Just the basics: trash, dishes, counter space for cookingRun one load of laundry - Focus only on what you need for tomorrowCreate one visual exhale - Clear one surface that gives you peace when you see itKey Insights for HSPs and Those Who Love ThemWhether you identify as a Highly Sensitive Person or you love someone who does, this episode offers compassionate wisdom for navigating clutter without shame. Remember: a bad day is not proof that your system failed. Sometimes we don't need to catch up—we just need to stabilize.This is part one of a two-part conversation. Stay tuned for next week's episode where Kathi and Cheri continue exploring practical strategies for HSPs managing their homes and lives.

Do you ever feel like clutter affects you more deeply than it seems to affect others? Like a messy kitchen doesn't just annoy you—it actually dysregulates your entire day? If so, you might be among the 20-30% of the population known as Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), and this episode is for you.In this conversation, Kathi sits down with her longtime friend and co-author Cheri Gregory to explore the unique challenges HSPs face when it comes to everyday home management. From sensory overwhelm to decision fatigue, from all-or-nothing thinking to the dreaded "frenzy" mode, Cheri helps listeners understand why clutter can feel so much more overwhelming for some people—and what to do about it.What Listeners Will DiscoverThe five key qualities of a Highly Sensitive Person and how they impact home organizationWhy that tidy house feels like your nervous system finally exhaled—and why it's so hard to maintainThe difference between a "catch-up day" and a "stabilizing day" (this reframe changes everything)A simple three-step reentry plan when life knocks your systems off trackHow to recognize "frenzy mode" and why going big might be sabotaging your progressThe power of self-compassion and curiosity in creating lasting changeThe Reentry Plan for Overwhelmed DaysWhen everything feels like it's fallen apart, Kathi offers this gentle three-step approach:Deal with anything that smells, spills, or blocks food - Just the basics: trash, dishes, counter space for cookingRun one load of laundry - Focus only on what you need for tomorrowCreate one visual exhale - Clear one surface that gives you peace when you see itKey Insights for HSPs and Those Who Love ThemWhether you identify as a Highly Sensitive Person or you love someone who does, this episode offers compassionate wisdom for navigating clutter without shame. Remember: a bad day is not proof that your system failed. Sometimes we don't need to catch up—we just need to stabilize.This is part one of a two-part conversation. Stay tuned for next week's episode where Kathi and Cheri continue exploring practical strategies for HSPs managing their homes and lives.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ What if the traits you've judged as flaws your entire life are actually some of your greatest strengths? Many highly sensitive people quietly carry the belief that something is wrong with them—too sensitive, too emotional, too much. But often those beliefs weren't formed from truth… they were shaped by years of reactions, comments, and misunderstandings from others. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why so many highly sensitive people internalize the judgments of others • How traits like deep thinking, emotional awareness, and sensitivity are often misunderstood as weaknesses • How to separate who you truly are from how others have responded to you Listen now to start seeing your sensitivity through a new lens and uncover the strengths that may have been hidden beneath years of self-judgment.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In this episode, Alissa breaks down why every hard season is building something in you that easy seasons never could, tracing the idea back to astrology, her own birth chart, and a realization that caught her off guard through her daughter Blaine's health diagnoses. She walks you through how to see every uncomfortable, triggering situation as character development and opportunities for growth.In this episode, you'll learn:What your North Node and South Node reveal about your natural strengths versus the traits you're still growing intoHow raising her daughter through celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes diagnoses is developing the structured, disciplined side of Alissa that used to feel completely foreignWhy a demanding boss, an unexplained health symptom, or another uncomfortable dynamic might be pointing to a part of your character that's ready to developThe difference between staying in a toxic environment and choosing a challenge that's actually building youWhat the growth gap is and why the space between your old identity and your new one feels so uncomfortableWhy letting fear of judgment, like worrying what old classmates will think, keep you from starting something is really just self-sabotage in disguiseUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

There is something strange in the space between languages. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it's fun to explore. It poses a question and presents a challenge…what am I actually trying to say here? When I started work on a video about the relationship between sensitivity and creativity for this year's HSP Gathering in Oulu, Finland, which happened a few days ago as I’m recording this, I didn't really think about the process of translating it from English into Finnish for the subtitles. I assumed it would be a straightforward part of the process, which it could have been on one level, given the technology we have at our fingertips these days, where language translation can happen more or less instantly. But it doesn’t take much for meaning to go adrift in the basic translation these tools provide. I was grateful for human assistance, as my friend Tuula was on hand to translate. My gratitude was not only because of her bilingual skills, but because I know she understands what I'm trying to say beneath and beyond the words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m3wHlXyQ6E Good Translation is About More Than The Right Words It seems obvious that translation requires far more than vocabulary, grammar, and syntax across multiple languages. An idiom or joke in one language might be complete gobbledegook when translated directly into another. But when the translator understands the two cultures, including the soul of their humour and their general relationship with tone and subtext, they can find appropriate options to bridge intent so it makes sense across the linguistic surface. Even with its sophisticated capabilities, there were a bunch of times when an initial chatbot translation missed the heart of my words. It made several incorrect assumptions and predictions about my intended meaning without any basis or clarification. Fortunately, Tuula felt this too, and we were able to hone our way to better ways of expressing what I meant. This was extra challenging when some of the original ideas and wording were intentionally poetic and infused with ambiguity. Machines are often eager to sand down nuance and replace it with familiar clichés and well-worn turns of phrase. The whole process showed me the importance of having someone who knows me and understands my ‘thinking’ for a task like this. This principle might apply to a range of contexts and situations in life. Who we are can get lost in a bad translation and found in a good one. Translating The Highly Sensitive Experience I believe this is one reason so much of the creative coaching I do is with highly sensitive and more introverted people. It’s a translation issue. In a world that makes many assumptions about what ‘normal’ looks like and assumes the goal is to fit the mould to get on in life, I tend to work from the premise that it’s not us that doesn’t fit society; it’s usually society that doesn’t fit us. I don’t do this to cultivate an ‘us versus them’ mentality. Quite the opposite, in fact. We are attempting to translate across a bridge, which so often leaves us misunderstanding one another. Likewise, I am very aware of the language used to describe the trait of high sensitivity. In the introduction to the HSP Gathering film I shared on Saturday, I talked about how adopting language around sensitivity has helped us better understand ourselves and our experiences alongside others. But while we have the trait of sensitivity in common, it also takes unique forms for each of us. That shared language can only take us so far, and we don’t want to overdo it. High sensitivity isn’t an identity or a personality type, nor does it dictate what we should like, value, or create. Over the years, I’ve noticed how easily one person’s experience of sensitivity can become the dominant narrative, leaving others wondering whether they’re a “proper HSP”. The Balancing Act in Translating Our Experiences The translator plays an important role in bringing their cultural understanding and experience, without letting it outrun the intention behind the person’s words. And as highly sensitive people, I think we’ve got to be aware of this in the way we listen to and interpret HSPs. To put the person first. That’s why I’m drawn to stories and anecdotes individuals share about their experiences of sensitivity. Not to universalise the experience or assume it’s the same for everyone, but to open the door so that each of us can feel at home with our differences. Which is what I wanted to do with the film I shared at the gathering. “It Just Sort of Happens” is a series of stories about the relationship I’ve noticed between my sensitivity and creativity, and how they have helped me make sense of the world, my personal experiences, and myself throughout my life. I wanted to use the stories as examples to help others map their own experiences and notice what they hear beneath the surface of my words. If you’d like to watch it, I’ll be sharing it in The Courtyard on Sunday, when we’ll also chat about any comments and questions afterwards. Learn more about it and register for your free Courtyard Membership (there will be a replay for those who can’t make it live). If you have any questions or comments in the meantime, please drop me a message and let me know.

Are you overwhelmed by clutter? In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Jo-Rushdy about the impacts of tidying up and:How clutter and tidying up impacts our emotional, mental, and physical healthThe importance of digital boundaries and creating a sanctuary in your homeLetting go of what doesn't bring you joy and finding gratitude for your belongingsIntentionally going through the six stages of the KonMari method of tidying upRebecca guides sensitive souls on transformational journeys by decluttering their homes, hearts and minds into sanctuaries that spark joy and flow. As a recovered shopaholic & drawing on her lived experiences she's dedicated to helping other highly sensitive people turn their wounds into wisdom and their exhaustion into energy. Rebecca also facilitates wellness workshops and speaks for corporates, government agencies and NGOs on the power of decluttering our personal and professional lives so that we can be more focused, effective and happy in whatever we do. Rebecca has lived and worked all over the world. She was the first platinum KonMari® consultant in Malaysia, and in Edinburgh, Scotland where she is currently based with her husband and two wonderfully sensitive daughters.Keep in touch with Rebecca:Website: http://www.sparkjoyandflow.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkjoyandflowInsight Timer: http://www.insightttimer.com/sparkjoyandflowResources Mentioned:Circle of Joy Community: https://circleofjoy.mn.co/plans/1444189Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781607747307For more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.  Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.  

Feeling guilty for having needs and wants? Grab The Taking Up Space Guide: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/taking-up-space-guide/ Do you feel guilty asking for what you need—even when your needs are completely reasonable? If you're a highly sensitive person, you may constantly put others first, second-guess your preferences, and push your own needs aside to avoid conflict, disappointment, or disapproval. Over time, this can quietly shrink your life and leave you feeling disconnected from yourself. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why highly sensitive people often feel guilty asking for what they want or need • How people-pleasing and self-abandonment slowly make your world smaller • How to start honoring your needs with greater self-trust, freedom, and ease Press play now to learn how to care deeply for others without leaving yourself behind.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Do you spend days—or even months—overthinking decisions because you're afraid of making the wrong choice? As a highly sensitive person, your deep thinking is a gift—it helps you make thoughtful, intentional decisions. But sometimes that same strength can turn into over-analysis, causing you to treat everyday decisions like they're life-or-death situations and leaving you feeling stuck. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why highly sensitive people naturally think deeply before taking action • How your mind can mistake low-stakes situations for high-stakes ones • How to know when you've gathered enough information and it's time to move forward Press play to learn how to balance thoughtful planning with confident action so you can stop overthinking and move forward with greater clarity and ease.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/ Do you ever feel like your life looks good on paper, yet deep down it still feels like you're waiting for your real life to begin? Many highly sensitive people spend years searching for greater purpose, clarity, and alignment, believing the next breakthrough will finally bring peace. Yet the more they search, the more life can feel just out of reach, creating stress, restlessness, and a lingering sense that they're not quite where they're supposed to be. In this episode, you'll discover: Why highly sensitive people often feel stuck in a cycle of searching for the next answer, path, or purpose. The hidden fears and beliefs that keep you waiting for certainty before fully embracing life. How self-compassion and inner work can help you feel more present, grounded, and connected to the life you already have. Press play now to uncover what's really keeping you in search mode and learn how to experience more peace, purpose, and fulfillment right where you are.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

When someone's energy feels a little different than usual, quieter, colder, more reserved, your mind starts filling in the silence with a story about what you did wrong.This week Alissa breaks down where that hypervigilance actually comes from and why your mind rushing to assume the worst rarely has anything to do with what's actually happening.Pulling from her own patterns and stories from women in the Not Too Sensitive Club, Alissa walks through how to catch the spiral before it takes over. In this episode, you'll learn:Why your mind rushes to fill in the silence when someone seems distant or short with youThe childhood origin of hypervigilance and why it gets mistaken for high sensitivityHow to create space between a triggering moment and the story you decide to believe about itThe exercise for completing the anxiety loop and realizing you could survive the worst case scenarioWhy overcompensating to win over a cold or quiet person is really about your own comfort, not the connectionHow choosing a new response in triggering moments builds a steadier, more confident identity over timeUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Are you on an emotional rollercoaster? In this episode, I talk with Esther Kane, MSW, RCC, about the real reason you struggle with anxiety or depression and:Impacts of being labeled as moody, serious, or quiet when you were youngerDiscovering the connection between anxiety, depression, and your sensitive nervous systemHow to leverage your capacity to feel deep joy to break out of the emotional rollercoaster you've been onEsther is a psychotherapist with nearly 30 years of experience who specializes in highly sensitive people, nervous system regulation, and emotional healing. She shares trauma-informed, body-based insights on her YouTube channel, Thriving as a Highly Sensitive Person, providing practical support for those dealing with anxiety, emotional eating/food addiction, and overwhelm.Keep in touch with Esther:Website: https://www.estherkane.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrivingHSPEsther's Newsletter and Counselling Services: https://www.estherkane.com/servicesResources Mentioned:Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182Why We Meditate by Goleman and Rinpoche: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781982178468Crossing Zero by Anders SorensonRadical Compassion by Tara Brach: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780525522836Self-Compassion Break by Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/#guided-practicesPolyvagal Theory/Deb Dana: https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/polyvagal-theoryFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.  Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.  

In today's episode, Lauren shares that being sick this week became a clear reminder of how important rest and downtime are, especially for highly sensitive people. She encourages listeners to listen to their intuition, genuinely prioritize rest, and advocate for their needs before burnout or illness makes rest unavoidable.If you've done the healing work but still feel like something's stuck, Becoming You meets you there. It's a deeply supportive mentorship for highly sensitive people who want to clear limiting beliefs, feel safe in their sensitivity, and finally live from alignment instead of survival. Learn more & apply nowLearn more about The Becoming Circle & join the waitlist Join our HSP Community– free private online group, live monthly meetings, & moreLeave a voice memo (a story, a question, a helpful tip, etc.) to be played in a future episode!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Lauren's email list to access her free mini-course, Embracing Your SensitivityBecome a Patreon subscriber for bonuses and to help support the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iamlaurenlasalleIf you have ideas for episode topics, questions for Lauren to answer on the podcast, or if you would like to write an email sharing your story for Lauren to read on the podcast, email lauren@laurenlasalle.com (email title: For Podcast).You can find out more about Lauren's programs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠laurenlasalle.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed even though nothing in your life seems stressful enough to explain it? Many highly sensitive people assume overwhelm must come from one major problem. But more often, it's the accumulation of emails, decisions, conversations, responsibilities, unfinished tasks, and constant mental processing quietly filling their emotional bandwidth until they reach a breaking point. • Understand why overwhelm can happen even when life appears relatively normal. • Discover how small stressors accumulate and impact the highly sensitive nervous system. • Learn how to recognize the early warning signs of overload and restore balance before burnout occurs. Listen now to learn how identifying your total load—not just individual stressors—can help you reduce overwhelm, protect your energy, and create a healthier rhythm of life.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Find out why you're still exhausted. Grab The HSP Alignment Inventory: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/alignment-inventory/ Why are you still exhausted when you've already done everything you're supposed to do? If you're a highly sensitive person who has tried rest, self-care, better boundaries, and even time off but still feels emotionally drained, the problem may not be stress alone. This episode explores how hidden misalignment—living in ways that don't fully reflect who you are—can quietly drain your energy and leave you feeling disconnected, flat, and burned out. By listening to this episode, you'll discover: Why emotional exhaustion can persist even after you've reduced stress and prioritized recovery. How subtle patterns of people-pleasing, self-abandonment, and chronic adaptation create ongoing energy leaks. A powerful new way to view burnout that can help you reconnect with yourself, restore sustainable energy, and create greater alignment in your life.   Listen now to uncover what your exhaustion may be trying to tell you and learn how small shifts toward alignment can help you reclaim your energy and feel more like yourself again.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ Have you ever felt like you don't quite fit in—and wondered if something is wrong with you? If you're a highly sensitive person, you've likely spent years comparing yourself to others who seem to move through life with less stress, fewer emotions, and more ease. Over time, it's easy to conclude that your sensitivity is the problem. But what if the real struggle isn't your sensitivity itself—it's the belief that you shouldn't be the way you are? In this episode, you'll discover: Why highly sensitive people naturally grow up feeling different from those around them How the belief that "something is wrong with me" creates unnecessary emotional suffering A practical path toward deeper self-acceptance so you can stop fighting your sensitivity and start embracing it Listen now to discover how accepting your sensitivity can help you replace self-judgment with confidence, relief, and a stronger sense of belonging.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

This week's episode comes from a riff request in the Not Too Sensitive Club group chat, a question about how to stop taking it personally when someone seems committed to disliking you, especially when you're wired to feel that discomfort in your body.It's uncomfortable to sense someone judging you, and every instinct says to win them over. Alissa offers a different move: recognizing whose story this actually is.She walks through what projection usually means psychologically, the energetic practices she uses before and after being around someone who triggers this, and why she'd rather be disliked for being herself than loved for shrinking. In this episode, you'll learn:Why someone projecting negativity onto you is usually about an unexamined part of them, not evidence of something wrong with youThe difference between setting a boundary with someone and pretending their treatment of you doesn't hurtHow to use an energetic bubble and cord cutting before and after spending time with someone who triggers this patternWhy staying small and people pleasing can protect you from the discomfort, but why that's not the goalHow to let someone's dislike of you be their thing to carry instead of yoursUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/  Have you ever set a boundary, felt completely clear about it, and then watched yourself back away from it anyway? If you're a highly sensitive person, boundary struggles can be incredibly frustrating because the problem often isn't knowing what to do—it's being unable to follow through when fear, guilt, self-doubt, or the desire for harmony take over. Understanding why this happens can be the difference between staying stuck in people-pleasing and finally feeling free to honor your own needs. By listening to this episode, you'll discover: Why learning about boundaries often isn't enough to help you consistently hold them The hidden fears and beliefs that pull highly sensitive people back into accommodation and people-pleasing How boundaries become easier when you address the emotional patterns underneath them instead of relying on willpower Listen now to uncover the real reason boundaries feel so difficult—and learn how to create lasting change without forcing yourself to be someone you're not.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.  

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Are you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or emotionally reactive—even when you're trying to slow down and take care of yourself? As a highly sensitive person, modern life constantly bombards your nervous system with stimulation, pressure, and emotional input. The problem is that many of the things we turn to for relief—scrolling, entertainment, staying busy, even certain foods—can actually add more activation instead of helping us recover. Over time, this hidden accumulation of stress can leave you feeling chronically overwhelmed without understanding why. Understand why highly sensitive people accumulate emotional and nervous system "heat" more easily than others. Discover how modern life quietly pulls you away from true restoration and keeps your system stuck in activation. Learn simple, practical ways to cool, nourish, and rebalance your nervous system so you can feel calmer, steadier, and more like yourself again.   Listen now to discover how small, nourishing shifts can help your sensitive nervous system recover from overload and return to a state of calm, balance, and resilience.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Care deeply without losing your center. Grab the "Whose Business?" Reflection Cards: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/whos-business-cards/ Have you ever felt someone else's stress so deeply that you lost touch with your own emotional state? As a highly sensitive person, your nervous system is naturally wired to pick up subtle emotional shifts in others. While this gift allows for deep empathy and connection, it can also leave you feeling responsible for other people's emotions, exhausted after interactions, and disconnected from your own sense of calm. In this episode, you'll discover: Why highly sensitive people absorb stress from others so quickly and automatically How empathy quietly turns into emotional entanglement and drains your energy A practical way to stay compassionate, present, and supportive without carrying someone else's emotional burden Listen now to learn how to remain grounded in yourself while caring deeply for others, so you can protect your peace without losing your empathy.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In this solo episode, Alissa names the exhaustion of shape shifting to fit an imagined mold of what's acceptable, and offers the alternative: deciding, every day, who you are and how you want to show up.Sparked by comments on a viral Instagram post about owning being "too much," Alissa calls out the excuse that other's won't let you be your true self. She's not buying the narrative that other people's discomfort is proof something is wrong with you. Pulling from her own story and pattern she keeps hearing from women in the Not Too Sensitive Club, she shares ways you can take back your power and decide who you are going to be. In this episode, you'll learn:Why trying to fit into everyone's idea of acceptable costs you pieces of yourself The real difference between wanting connection and needing everyone's approval What moving to California from Minnesota taught Alissa about owning her differences instead of hiding them Why overthinking after a social interaction is your nervous system reading it as a threat to belonging, not a character flaw How self-worth changes the entire experience of imperfect social moments Why healing your triggers matters as much as understanding where they came fromUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Do you feel disconnected from your creative side?  In this episode, I talk with Jill McDougall about embracing the messiness of play and:Pulling the threads of curiosity and learning to trust your intuitive giftsThe impact of growing up feeling sensory-sensitive and wanting harmonious environmentsFinding confidence and breaking free of limiting beliefs as an adultJill is a mixed media/collage artist living in Washington state. Fascinated by what lies beneath the surface, she notices the details and nuance of things and builds fragments of her observations into the layers of her art. She believes that the world needs authenticity, creativity and connection now more than ever, and is learning to lean into her sensitivities and reframe them as superpowers.Keep in touch with Jill:Website: https://www.jillmcdougall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillmcdougallartSubstack: https://jillinspire.substack.comResources Mentioned:Sensitive by Jenn Granneman and Andre Solo: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780593235034HSP Self-Test: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-testOlander Sand Trays: https://www.olanderearthworks.comFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.  Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.  

Highly sensitive people often find it difficult to let go of conversations, criticism, conflict, disappointment, mistakes, or emotionally intense experiences. Even when the situation is technically over, your mind may keep replaying what happened, and your nervous system may still feel activated.If you've ever wondered why you can't “just get over it,” this episode will help you understand what may actually be happening beneath the surface.For highly sensitive people, letting go is not simply a mental decision. Because sensitive nervous systems process deeply, emotionally significant experiences may stay active in the body and mind long after they've ended. What looks like overthinking, rumination, or holding on may actually be your nervous system trying to find resolution, safety, or completion.In this episode, we explore why highly sensitive people stay engaged with experiences longer than they want to, why unfinished emotional loops can keep the nervous system activated, and what your body may need in order to truly move forward.You'll learn:• why “just let it go” is rarely helpful advice for highly sensitive people• how deep processing affects emotional recovery• why the nervous system can stay engaged after a stressful experience is over• how unfinished loops contribute to overthinking and rumination• why stress cycles need completion• what helps sensitive nervous systems feel supported, settled, and safe enough to releaseThis episode is especially supportive if you struggle with overthinking, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, rumination, people-pleasing, nervous system dysregulation, or feeling like you stay affected by things longer than other people seem to.If you'd like a supportive space to practice nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and self-trust in community, I'd love to invite you to explore my Rooted Resilience Membership Circle.Rooted Resilience is a gentle membership community for highly sensitive people who want to calm anxiety, regulate their nervous systems, build resilience, and come home to themselves through live gatherings, guided practices, and ongoing support.Learn more here:https://yogiranger.com/rooted-resilienceYou may also enjoy these Insight Timer practices:Yoga Nidra for Nervous System Reset & Deep Rest:https://insighttimer.com/yogiranger/guided-meditations/yoga-nidra-for-nervous-system-reset-deep-rest_1Yoga Nidra for Highly Sensitive People: Burnout Recovery:https://insighttimer.com/yogiranger/guided-meditations/yoga-nidra-for-highly-sensitive-people-burnout-recoveryNew to the podcast? Start here:Episode 33 – Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?Episode 39 – The Hidden Struggles & Strengths of Highly Sensitive PeopleEpisode 40 – Boundaries for Highly Sensitive PeopleEpisode 41 – Nervous System Regulation for HSPs

Alissa recently shared a post that said "please be too much," and it went viral, reaching over 2 million people after nearly two years of feeling like her work wasn't getting seen. But this episode isn't really about going viral. It's about what happened in those two quiet years before it, and why the willingness to show up anyway, even when you feel embarrassed, judged, or invisible, is what actually builds confidence and self-trust.For sensitive people, the fear of being seen trying runs deep. Alissa offers two words that changed her life: so what?She shares the stories behind it, from being mocked by people she went to high school with, to an email that hit her most painful insecurity square in the chest, to the six years of unseen work that led to her book deal with Penguin Random House. You don't wait until you feel healed and confident to start. You start, and that's what makes you confident.In this episode, you'll learn:Why "so what?" are two of the most freeing words when you're afraid of being judgedWhat showing up without applause does for your identity and self-trust over timeWhy waiting until you feel fully healed to take action is actually fear and control in disguiseHow saying you want something but never acting on it quietly erodes your trust in yourselfWhat it looks like to treat triggers as stepping stones instead of stop signsThe difference between responding from your sensitive shadow archetype and your sensitive strength archetypeUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

In this solo episode, Alissa shares the duality she's been living inside, where heartbreak over a forever diagnosis sits right next to genuine blessing, and offers a way to honor every feeling without letting those feelings run the show.Through real moments from her own week, the 7am overwhelm she interrupted with gratitude, the choked up drive home from the doctor, the surprise of a new car the same afternoon, she gets honest about what it really means to be steady. Being unbothered was never about feeling less. It's about feeling all of it and still choosing how you move forward.In this episode, you'll learn:Why holding duality, the joy and the grief together, is one of the most important skills for a sensitive personWhat it means to honor your feelings without letting your feelings make every decisionHow a quick gratitude rampage can pull you out of a morning spiralHow to catch the moments you slip into "why is this happening to me" and choose a higher perspective insteadThe difference between pushing past a hard feeling and actually moving through itUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Shame rarely walks into the room and introduces itself. It hides as anxiety, hypervigilance, the survival mode that lingers no matter how much work you've done. We sensitive types get exceptionally good at noticing what's wrong with us and mistake that scanning for self-awareness. Real self-awareness doesn't wear us out. Come sit with the ten ways shame disguises itself, because there's so much joy waiting on the other side. - The Yearly Boundaries Intensive ⁠https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/Boundaries Resources: - Work with Me 1:1: https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/coaching - 30 Days to Peace Course: https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/peace CODE: BADASS for 30% Off - Intro To Boundaries https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/intro - Mapping your Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse Workshop https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/workshops CODE: BADASS for 30% Off - Get the Patternscapes Wellness Deck ⁠https://www.getpatternscapes.com - Join the Patreon Community: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/emotionalbadass - Download the FREE Morning Routine PDF ⁠https://www.emotionalbadass.com/morning - Join our newsletter https://www.emotionalbadass.com/newsletter - Check out our Guided Meditations https://www.emotionalbadass.com/store/meditations Follow us on Social Media: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/emotionalbadass IG: https://www.instagram.com/emotional.badass FB: https://www.facebook.com/emotionalbadass TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@emotionalbadass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highly sensitive nervous systems take in far more than a fair share, and overwhelm slowly becomes a groove we practice until it feels like who we are. I keep coming back to one idea: overwhelm is an invitation, and every invitation can be declined. The moment we stop treating ourselves as overwhelm's victim, simple affirmations can reprogram those old patterns and return us to the peace that is our birthright. Resources: - Work with Me 1:1: https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/coaching - Join the Patreon Community: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/emotionalbadass⁠ - 30 Days to Peace Course: https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/peace CODE: BADASS for 30% Off - The Book by Book Club: https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/bookclub - Intro To Boundaries https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/intro - The Yearly Boundaries Intensive https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/Boundaries - Mapping your Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse Workshop https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/workshops CODE: BADASS for 30% Off - Get the Patternscapes Wellness Deck ⁠https://www.getpatternscapes.com - Download the FREE Morning Routine PDF ⁠https://www.emotionalbadass.com/morning - Join our newsletter https://www.emotionalbadass.com/newsletter - Check out our Guided Meditations https://www.emotionalbadass.com/store/meditations Follow us on Social Media: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/emotionalbadass IG: https://www.instagram.com/emotional.badass FB: https://www.facebook.com/emotionalbadass TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@emotionalbadass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices