What we’re about
Do you enjoy reflecting deeply on topics others might avoid? (Philosophy, Psychology, Technology, Ethics, Religion, Music, Art....)
Do you find that spending a whole day in stimulating spaces (lots of noise or people) makes you feel exhausted by the end of the day?
Are you known for being conscientious?
Do you tend to use nuanced language for your intellectual/emotional experiences?
Are you someone others find easy to talk to?
You might be among the 20% of people who have what is called "sensory processing sensitivity" (And no...it's not a disorder). People with this trait are often creative, thoughtful, reflective, and insightful. They tend to blend in (as they are fabulous chameleons) and put on a good show of being like everyone else. But inside? We all feel a little like outsiders. Jacob Nordby hits it on the head in his book "Blessed are the Weird" when he says:
“You can’t know this right now, but…
your ragged, rugged honesty…
your crazy, passionate, naked vulnerability…
your trusting plunge into the unknown of Life at every turn…
your journey of love and healing…
these change your world, the world of those around you and the world as a whole.
Someday you’ll know how important you are.”
― Jacob Nordby
This is a meetup for those who identify as introverted and/or highly sensitive. It's a group for those who crave community and connection with those who not only understand what it's like to have this trait...but who want to join together and CELEBRATE it.
This is a new group, so your willingness to participate means you will have a hand in shaping it. For now, the structure is intended to be as follows:
Time: 90 minutes (if you need to leave early, that's perfectly fine.)
Each week will have a theme (I'll put the theme each on the board so you can tell if it's a topic that interests you).
Check-in: 15 minutes:
Each week, I'll start with a check-in question (Example - What do you like most about being a highly sensitive person?). Each person will be given a chance to answer it. If you don't feel like speaking - no worries! Just say "pass." There is nothing wrong with wanting to simply sit back and listen for the day.
Discussion: 60 minutes
I'll cover some general information about the topic for that week. For example - if the topic is about "rest" we can spend some time talking about what the research suggests is "enough rest" for highly sensitive people and what strategies can be applied so that HSP can get enough rest in a world that often pressures us to always be "doing." This is a subject I have spent a great deal of time on (it's a group I serve in my coaching practice and a group I have studied simply because I am a part of it). So if it feels appropriate to share tips/tricks or information, I'll do so. Ultimately, though, I'm hoping to simply facilitate the space so that OTHERS can share with each other.
I will try and break it up so that there is some variety of approaches. For example, if the topic is on creativity, I might carve out some time to write in a journal or sketch for a few moments. I think having tangible examples is lovely - but it helps if we get a chance to actually practice the stuff. I'll only do that if it's appropriate for the theme and I'll let you know in advance that I'll be doing that so you don't get surprised on the spot.
Wrap-Up: 15 minutes
I tend to love having a chance to chew on things, alone, for a bit. So each week, I'll give a subject or a question for you to reflect on. I'll provide pen and paper for you so that you can journal, sketch...whatever feels good to you. Or if you just want to sit back and think without having to write anything down - that's great, too. For example, if the theme was about the importance of giving yourself rest, I might give 15 minutes or so for you to journal about what things make you feel more rested.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- The Facts About Being an HSP (Virtual Discussion Group)Link visible for attendees$5.00
General Information About The Highly Sensitive Person Series:
After getting some feedback regarding what people in the group would like to experience more of, I am putting together a series of workshops over the next few months - all based on content from Elaine Aron's research and resources.This series is part book club, part education, part discussion. You can partake in all of the events, or just those that are of interest to you. It really just depends on what you're looking for.
Each month, I will host one educational webinar that goes deeply into one specific section of Elaine Aron's foundational book "The Highly Sensitive Person." I will go in order of the chapters of her book, BUT you need not have attended previous sections to come to any given webinar. Come to all of them...or pick and choose the areas most interesting to you. The webinar is virtual, free and open to as many people who would like to attend!
After the webinar, the following week, I will host a live-online discussion group where we can discuss our take on the content. I am putting a small paywall for these as it helps assure people who are there truly want to be there. This might also reduce the need for putting any limits on how many people can attend (I tried to simply cap the number in the past to keep it intimate, and it caused some confusion and frustration - so attendees recommended a small paywall instead...thank you for the feedback!)
The next week, I will run the same seminar live and in-person. I was given feedback that people are interested in meeting others in the real world. My concern was that it might limit the number of those who could attend. So I am doing one of each!
June Theme:
The Highly Sensitive Person
Chapter 1: The Facts About Being Highly Sensitive:
A Wrong Sense of Being Flawed:Join us on June 19th for a 90-Minute Discussion Group
Host: Leah Burkhart, MA, PCC, NBC-HWC
Cost: $5.00 + Cost of The Highly Sensitive Person Book + Cost of Highly Sensitive Person Workbook
This will be a live-online book-club meets discussion group. For this session, we will be doing two things:
1. Discussion about Chapter 1 of Elaine Aron's book The Highly Sensitive Person (The Facts About Being Highly Sensitive). If you don't read this section, it's okay! You can focus on the workbook pages, instead, if you like. But the content will be based on pages 3-22 in the Highly Sensitive Person book.
2. We will use Elaine Aron's Highly Sensitive Person Workbook questions. We will discuss activities covered from pages 1 - 45 in her workbook. - The Facts About Being an HSP (In-Person Discussion Group)216 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR$5.00
General Information About The Highly Sensitive Person Series:
After getting some feedback regarding what people in the group would like to experience more of, I am putting together a series of workshops over the next few months - all based on content from Elaine Aron's research and resources.This series is part book club, part education, part discussion. You can partake in all of the events, or just those that are of interest to you. It really just depends on what you're looking for.
Each month, I will host one educational webinar that goes deeply into one specific section of Elaine Aron's foundational book "The Highly Sensitive Person." I will go in order of the chapters of her book, BUT you need not have attended previous sections to come to any given webinar. Come to all of them...or pick and choose the areas most interesting to you. The webinar is virtual, free and open to as many people who would like to attend!
After the webinar, the following week, I will host a live-online discussion group where we can discuss our take on the content. I am putting a small paywall for these as it helps assure people who are there truly want to be there. This might also reduce the need for putting any limits on how many people can attend (I tried to simply cap the number in the past to keep it intimate, and it caused some confusion and frustration - so attendees recommended a small paywall instead...thank you for the feedback!)
The next week, I will run the same seminar live and in-person. I was given feedback that people are interested in meeting others in the real world. My concern was that it might limit the number of those who could attend. So I am doing one of each!
June Theme:
The Highly Sensitive Person
Chapter 1: The Facts About Being Highly Sensitive:
A Wrong Sense of Being Flawed:Join us on June 26th for a LIVE 90-Minute Discussion Group
Host: Leah Burkhart, MA, PCC, NBC-HWC
Cost: $5.00 + Cost of The Highly Sensitive Person Book + Cost of Highly Sensitive Person Workbook
Location: 216 Commercial Avenue (Co.W coworking space in downtown Salem OR). Note - the door will be locked, but I will be manning the door to open it up for attendees.
This will be a live- book-club meets discussion group. For this session, we will be doing two things:
1. Discussion about Chapter 1 of Elaine Aron's book The Highly Sensitive Person (The Facts About Being Highly Sensitive). If you don't read this section, it's okay! You can focus on the workbook pages, instead, if you like. But the content will be based on pages 3-22 in the Highly Sensitive Person book.
2. We will use Elaine Aron's Highly Sensitive Person Workbook questions. We will discuss activities covered from pages 1 - 45 in her workbook.This is the SAME discussion group offered on June 19th. It's just an in-person workshop.
