Cliff Harwin – The Highly Sensitive Person Publishing Company

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Who Are You Becoming Because of the People Around You?

Post category:Challenge and Conflict

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Who Are You Becoming Because of the People Around You? One of the hardest lessons I learned as a highly sensitive person wasn't how to handle criticism. It wasn't how to manage anxiety. It wasn't even how to become more confident. It was learning that not everyone deserves unlimited access to my time, attention, and emotional energy. For years, I thought being a caring person meant listening to everyone, helping everyone, and trying to understand everyone. What I didn't realize was that some people weren't just sharing their struggles. They were living inside them. And if I wasn't careful, they would pull me into that world with them. You probably know the people I'm talking about. The ones who constantly criticize, complain, judge,…

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What Are You Taking for Granted This Memorial Day?

Post category:Gratitude

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What Are You Taking for Granted This Memorial Day? One thing I’ve noticed about life—and especially about being a highly sensitive person—is that we often feel pain deeply… but forget to fully feel gratitude with the same intensity. Our minds naturally focus on stress, problems, disappointments, and what’s missing. We replay what went wrong. We worry about what could go wrong next. And slowly, without realizing it, we begin taking meaningful things for granted simply because they’ve become familiar. Memorial Day makes me think about that. For many people, Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer: Barbecues. Vacations. Retail sales. Time off. Trips to the beach. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying those things. But sometimes I wonder if our constant search for distraction…

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What do you wish you learned earlier about speaking up?

Post category:Important Life Skill

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What do you wish you learned earlier about speaking up? One of the most important lessons I ever learned came from my late mother when I was a quiet child trying not to upset anyone. She told me: “Speak up or be left behind.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand what she meant. I was easygoing, quiet, sensitive, and conflict-avoidant. I thought being “nice” meant staying silent, going along with things, and keeping the peace no matter what. I didn’t want to disappoint people or create tension. But here’s the uncomfortable truth I eventually learned: If you never speak up for yourself, some people will quietly decide your feelings, needs, and boundaries don’t matter. That was hard for me to admit. For…

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What if your “overthinking” isn’t the problem?

Post category:Decision Making

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What if your “overthinking” isn’t the problem? Let me offer you a perspective that may feel a little unconventional—especially if you’ve spent years believing your mind works against you. What if your tendency to analyze… to reflect… to carefully think things through… is not your weakness? What if it’s your strength—misdirected? As a highly sensitive and self-aware person, I’ve lived much of my life inside my own head. And yes, there were times it felt like a trap. You know the feeling… You want to start something. Make a decision. Take a step forward. But instead—you pause. Then question. Then doubt. Then replay every possible outcome… Until you do… nothing. That’s what we call “analysis paralysis.” But here’s what I’ve learned through my…