#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Do You Have To Be Aggressive To Be Assertive?

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Do You Have To Be Aggressive To Be Assertive? I used to think standing up for myself meant becoming tougher, louder, or more confrontational. I’ve learned it doesn’t. As a highly sensitive person, I know how uncomfortable it can feel to assert your needs—especially when someone else is being aggressive. But here’s the unconventional advice I’ve learned from my experience: You don't have to match someone else's energy to stand your ground. Assertiveness isn't about raising your voice, blaming someone, or winning an argument. It's about being clear, firm, and respectful about what you need. Instead of: "You never listen to me!" Try: "I feel strongly about this because I believe it will help us accomplish ______." Or: "I don't want to do…

Continue Reading#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Do You Have To Be Aggressive To Be Assertive?

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Should You Ignore That Feeling?

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Should You Ignore That Feeling? Have you ever been around someone and felt uncomfortable—but couldn't explain why? Or found yourself in a situation that looked good on the surface, yet something inside you said, “Something isn't right.” I've experienced this many times. As highly sensitive people and introverts, we can pick up on subtle things that others may overlook. A change in someone's tone. A feeling in the room. Something about a person or situation that we can't quite put into words. But here's the problem: We don't always trust what we're sensing. I've certainly made that mistake. I've talked myself out of my own uneasiness because ignoring it seemed easier. I didn't have enough evidence. I didn't want to offend someone. I…

Continue Reading#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Should You Ignore That Feeling?

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What’s Stealing Your Energy?

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What’s Stealing Your Energy? As a highly sensitive person, I’ve learned that protecting my energy is essential. Stress is one of my biggest energy drains. I’ve wasted far too much energy on things I couldn’t control—other people’s problems, the world’s problems, and spending too much time around negative people. Here’s what I’ve learned: Caring doesn’t mean carrying everything. My unconventional advice is simple: Ask yourself, “Can I actually do something about this?” If the answer is no, let it go. If the answer is yes, put your energy into what you can do. I also make time for things that restore me—sleep, exercise, being outdoors, and doing things I enjoy. The more I protect my energy, the more I have available for the…

Continue Reading#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: What’s Stealing Your Energy?

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Stuck? Or Just Afraid to Move?

#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Stuck? Or Just Afraid to Move? I’ll admit it: sometimes I feel stuck. As a highly sensitive person, I can become frustrated when I look at my life and wonder, “Why am I not making more progress?” Personal growth is a natural part of life. Yet I’ve often wondered: Why do we resist something that could ultimately make our lives better? Here’s an unconventional thought: Maybe feeling stuck can become comfortable. Not because we enjoy being unhappy—but because the familiar, even when painful, can feel safer than the unknown. Change disrupts our routines. It creates uncertainty. And for those of us who are highly sensitive or introverted, that uncertainty can feel especially uncomfortable. Sometimes we tell ourselves: "This is just the way I…

Continue Reading#HighlySensitivePeople #Introverts: Stuck? Or Just Afraid to Move?