Cliff Harwin – The Highly Sensitive Person Publishing Company

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What if the biggest drain in your life…isn’t what you think?

Post category:Self Awareness

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What if the biggest drain in your life… isn’t what you think? As a highly sensitive and conscientious person, I’ve spent much of my life bothered by one quiet, persistent feeling: “This is a waste.” Not just wasted money or missed opportunities—but something deeper. Wasted time.Wasted emotional energy.Wasted attention. And if you’re anything like me, those are not small things.They are your most limited resources. Here’s the uncomfortable truth I’ve come to accept: The real problem isn’t that life is wasteful.It’s that we stay loyal to what drains us. That realization changed everything for me. Here’s where I’ve seen “waste” show up in my own life: Worrying endlessly about what I don’t want to happen Getting pulled into arguments that leave me emotionally…

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What If Your “Lack of Focus” Isn’t the Problem?

Post category:Concentration and Focus

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What If Your “Lack of Focus” Isn’t the Problem? What if your focus isn’t broken… What if it’s overloaded? As a highly sensitive person, you don’t struggle to focus because you’re weak. You struggle because you notice everything. Every thought. Every emotion. Every shift in your environment. Your mind isn’t distracted— it’s wide open. And no one ever taught you how to close the door. Here’s what I’ve learned from my own experience: 1. Stop forcing focus. Start choosing it. Focus isn’t about discipline—it’s about meaning. If something truly matters to you, your mind will follow. Ask yourself: Why does this deserve my attention right now? If you can’t answer that honestly, your brain will keep wandering. 2. Your energy decides your focus—not…

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Do you allow annoying people to drain you?

Post category:Challenge and Conflict

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Do you allow annoying people to drain you? Let me say something that might feel uncomfortable at first: Some people aren’t just “annoying”… They’re enabled. And if you’re highly sensitive or introverted, there’s a good chance—without realizing it—you’ve been doing the enabling. I know I did. I used to think I was being kind, patient, and understanding when I: • Kept listening • Kept explaining • Kept giving chances • Kept engaging But what I was really doing was this: I was teaching people that my energy had no limit. Here’s the unconventional truth: Annoying people don’t drain you nearly as much as your lack of boundaries does. Read that again. It’s not their behavior that exhausts you… It’s your continued access to…

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Is it trust issues… or misplaced trust?

Post category:Self Awareness

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Is it trust issues… or misplaced trust? As a highly sensitive, introverted person, I’ve had to learn this the hard way. I used to believe that being open quickly meant being authentic. So I shared too much, too soon… with people who hadn’t earned that level of access. I thought helping everyone was kindness. But often, I was pouring energy into people who were just… passing through. I used to say, “I don’t trust anyone.” But that wasn’t true. What I really hadn’t learned yet was how to trust wisely. Here’s what experience has taught me: Not everyone deserves the real you right away. Some people are drawn to your sensitivity… but not to protect it. Over-giving isn’t generosity—it’s often a quiet form…