What we’re about
Welcome! This is an affinity group for those who identify as Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs). It’s a space where we can meet to discuss the trait and what it means to us. We share our experiences, learn new things, and sometimes gather in-person to enjoy life together.
What are the meetings like?
There are several meeting formats:
1. Drop-ins (Tuesday evenings): in-person or on Zoom, to socialize and learn in a relaxed, informal setting. It's a great way to recharge after a busy day.
2. Social outings: dinner, nature walk, game night, etc. A fun way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends from the group in a setting that we can all enjoy.
3. Personal empowerment group: focused discussions around members' personal development goals. Bring your life goals and challenges, but also curiosity and a whole heart.
What is high sensitivity?
High sensitivity is a trait of human temperament found in 20% of the general population, evenly split between men and women. When HSPs are able to understand themselves deeply and manage their needs accordingly, life in our predominantly non-HSP world can be a lot less challenging than it appears.
Consider the four characteristics that describe the trait:
- Depth of processing. We reflect more than others would about the past and future. We tend to find more meaning in our inner world and in our interconnectedness with others. It takes us longer to feel settled after a moving experience.
- Overarousability. We are more easily overwhelmed in stressful or busy situations. We get tired faster and have to recharge or take breaks more often.
- Emotional intensity or empathy. We have stronger emotional responses, both positive and negative.
- Sensory sensitivity. We have a heightened awareness of subtleties. "Loud" sounds, smells, lights, etc. appear louder than they would for a non-HSP.
Our intuition and emotional responsiveness grant us access to deeper insights and enable us to be moved more easily by friendships, art, and spirituality. But that openness also means we have to do more work to manage healthy boundaries that help us avoid feeling overwhelmed.
HSP Resources
Our book reading list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1adedweJpf81XKpXg1akxsk1g0OyNPtcx0G5M9IiUQEA/edit?usp=sharing
Talks on the trait by Elaine Aron
Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQLBnUBKggY
Overview and discussion of highly sensitive children: https://soundcloud.com/highlysensitive/elaine_aron_wellington_nz_2013
Other online resources
Dr. Aron's website: http://hsperson.com
HSP Podcast: http://highlysensitiveperson.net/hsppodcast/
The Highly Sensitive Badass: https://thehighlysensitivebadass.com
Quiet Revolution: http://www.quietrev.com
Highly Sensitive Introvert (Facebook group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/highlysensitiveintrovert/
Sensitive Evolution (Facebook group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/158999967969987/
HSP movies: https://sensitivethemovie.com/
Cultivating Compassion Training: http://ccare.stanford.edu/education/about-compassion-cultivation-training-cct/