This Meetup was started by a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) to help HSPs in the Metro Vancouver area (and beyond if you’re willing to travel) to connect with one another. It might seem counterintuitive to have gatherings for a group where about 70% of the members are introverts. However, I think it is important for HSPs to meet with one another to share friendship as well as the challenges and joys of our trait and to just generally socialize with others of our ‘tribe’ as we negotiate our lives in a non-HSP world.

Because this is a new group, the plan is to start slowly with meetups at places like quiet coffee shops. Once we have had some time to get to know one another, ‘test the waters,’ and mull things over - activities that HSPs need and enjoy to do - we can decide if we would like to do other HSP-compatible activities.

If you are reading this you probably have a good idea of what a Highly Sensitive Person is and likely are one. But if you’re not sure for this Meetup, “HSP” is based on the work of Elaine Aron in her groundbreaking book “The Highly Sensitive Person”. You can find more information about the HSP trait or take Aron’s self-test on her website at: http://hsperson.com/.

In a nutshell high sensitivity is a normal, inherited trait found among 15-20% of the population. Signs of HSP include:

• greater awareness of stimuli, like sounds, smells, temperature, and textures,
• having a vivid imagination,
• being quick to see patterns and connections,
• giving deep thought to the world around you,
• being very aware of the people around you,
• needing and enjoying time alone each day,
• being very conscientious.

Being Highly Sensitive is *NOT*:

• a problem or illness to be fixed or cured,
• being easily hurt or offended,
• emotional sensitivity,
• the same as being timid, shy, or socially anxious,
• related to attention deficit disorder.