Wat we doen
This group was founded by and for Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) in the Greater Toronto Area, to allow people with this trait and temperament to connect with others like them, and maybe even learn more about themselves.
(Please note that this group is not intended as merely a social group for people who are not HSP. There are hundreds of other meetups in town for that purpose. Please only attend our meetups if you believe you are HSP yourself, and are interested in meeting other people with the same trait. Thanks for your understanding!)
A great starting point for learning about HSP is the following document curated by our co-organizer Catherine:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NM_lvU_Dk_U6-UW5Ql_6dKqc5chITsVU5bE8OgseHes/edit?usp=sharing
Additional information is also provided below.
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Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) constitute about 15-20% of the population. People born with this trait may have a greater sensitivity to their surroundings, often greater empathy (generally involuntary), a tendency to pick up on myriad subtleties in their environments, as well as to be overwhelmed more easily, due precisely to their perception involuntarily picking up on so much.
It's important to keep in mind that HSP is a genetically-based trait (that is to say, you are born with it). And also that the term "sensitive" may not frankly be entirely ideal-- as this can have a negative connotation, or can just mean someone who is "overly sensitive" and gets offended easily all the time. That's certainly not what we mean to suggest by "sensitive" (and probably not a good quality to cultivate or promote either!). "Sensitivity" in this context refers more to a sensory trait and capacity, which has both 'positive' and 'negative' valences. I may expand on this more but for now I'll mostly paste some information from my previous groups and from Dr. Aron and others.
Just a few signs of HSP: (from Elaine Aron's site):
Are you…. easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?
Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
Do you need to withdraw during busy days, into some place where you can have privacy and relief from the situation?
Do you make it a high priority to arrange your life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations?
Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?
Do you have a rich and complex inner life?
When you were a child, did your parents or teachers see you as sensitive or shy?
(From Dr. Aron’s website:) (Take the test here: http://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-t… )
If you find you are highly sensitive, I’d like you to know the following:
Your trait is normal. It is found in 15 to 20% of the population–too many to be a disorder, but not enough to be well understood by the majority of those around you.
It is innate. In fact, biologists have found it in over 100 species (and probably there are many more) from fruit flies, birds, and fish to dogs, cats, horses, and primates. This trait reflects a certain type of survival strategy, being observant before acting. The brains of highly sensitive persons (HSPs) actually work a little differently than others’. To learn more about this, see research.
You are more aware than others of subtleties. This is mainly because your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. So even if you wear glasses, for example, you see more than others by noticing more.
You are also more easily overwhelmed. If you notice everything, you are naturally going to be overstimulated when things are too intense, complex, chaotic, or novel for a long time.
This trait is not a new discovery, but it has been misunderstood. Because HSPs prefer to look before entering new situations, they are often called “shy.” But shyness is learned, not innate. In fact, 30% of HSPs are extroverts, although the trait is often mislabeled as introversion. It has also been called inhibitedness, fearfulness, or neuroticism. Some HSPs behave in these ways, but it is not innate to do so and not the basic trait.
Sensitivity is valued differently in different cultures. In cultures where it is not valued, HSPs tend to have low self-esteem. They are told “don’t be so sensitive” so that they feel abnormal.
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For more information on HSP, feel free to check out these links as a start:
The HSP Self-test:
http://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/
Catherine's Resources for HSP's:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NM_lvU_Dk_U6-UW5Ql_6dKqc5chITsVU5bE8OgseHes/edit?usp=sharing
(find links to a number of useful websites at the bottom of that document!)
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Sister HSP meetup groups in other cities (send a message if you want your group added to this list!):
Highly Sensitive Persons of Metro Vancouver
https://www.meetup.com/highly-sensitive-persons-of-metro-vancouver/
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We look forward to seeing you at HSP events!
Aankomende evenementen (1)
Alles weergeven- North Toronto Trails: Alexander Muir Gardens to Glendon ForestToronto Public Library - Locke Branch, Toronto, ON
Hi friends,
The Northern part of Toronto (around the border formerly dividing the municipalities of Toronto and North York, formally amalgamated in 1998) has a lush and under-rated trail system, including large gardens, ravines, parks, hiking trails, lookouts, etc.
This is a specific hiking area we haven't yet explored in this group but that has been recommended a couple of times for HSP walks/hikes.
We will plan to start at the Locke branch of the Toronto Public Library (temporarily closed), which is right next to Lawrence subway station.
From here we will walk a few minutes to Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens, which is where the nature portion of the walk/hike will start.
As noted here, "Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens might be a bit less known than some of the other public gardens in Toronto, but it's just as breathtaking with stone balconies and crushed brick walkways surrounded by lush greenery." It was created in 1933 and made an international list of "25 best urban design projects."
From here, we continue on trails passing through the following ravines/parks:
- Blythwood Ravine Park
- Sherwood Park
- Sunnydene ParkAfter crossing Bayview, we will try to end up at either Sunnybrook park, *or*, if our timing works out, we may make it to Glendon Forest. These are all connected by trails and paths.
At around the 90-minute mark, we will turn around and pass back through the general trail we came (maybe a slightly different path, but generally parallel to our first half)- to wind up by 6:30 back at the starting point of the hike (Alexander Muir gates, and Lawrence station).
There are a lot of cool and interesting aspects of the parks we will pass through, which we lack space to go into here- but they shall be experienced.
Please note that there may be a mix of terrain on this little hike- paved pathways, but also wooden boardwalks, wooden flights of stairs in the woods, gravel paths, and even some compressed dirt paths.
So if walking on mixed terrain is difficult for you, give it careful consideration please before signing up.
Probably a good idea to wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring some water, and a snack if that is something that helps you feel comfortable.
It will be nice to get out on a new hiking trail for the springtime.
If this is your first walk with us, please kindly bring $10 which is good for your entire 2024 membership year.
Look forward to seeing you! :)
