HSP’s and self-compassion, self-acceptance – why is it important
As today’s topic I chose HSP’s, beginning to bring this topic forward. Today I will start this with – HSP’s and self-compassion, self – acceptance. How being an HSP has looked like in my life, how and why self-compassion and self-acceptance has been very important in my life.
Remember to make your space cozy for you. Light a candle, grab a cup of tea, do whatever you need, to feel cozy and safe.
I have my space ready, so let’s dive in.
Why this topic? Why is self-compassion, self-acceptance and understanding important for an HSP? How has being an HSP looked like in my life?
Oh, so many questions, haha. Let’s go.
Who is an HSP? How it looks like in my life?
Well, when you open up the letters it becomes a “highly sensitive person”.
Now, for being one in this world it can feel a bit shameful, or at least I have had a lot of growth and healing to do to understand and accept this in my life. As well as flourish with it.
So, for me this started very early on, when I was just a couple of years old (maybe even earlier, probably). Sensitive to the world around me like no other, there couldn’t be a loose string in my sock, I would not go out. Or the sweater under my jacket had folded and my mom could not understand why I was crying.
As I am now becoming more alive to what it means to be an HSP, I have to tell you, I love being one.
I am starting to own it and be more proud of it like never before. I am getting to know myself more and more:
- what exactly is overstimulation (for example after a concert, long day, a lot of lighting, sound, touch, a lot of people around and so on)
- what it feels like to feel pressure around a lot of people/or just a couple, because I feel their energies, pick up the subtle shifts in conversations, body language, energy, just overall feeling the crowd.
- what are my soothing techniques
- many, many more
There is a lot going on in my inner world at most times. And yes, I sometimes still get frustrated when my clothes fold in ways I did not intend for them to fold, haha.
I believe that the people who resonate with what I write could understand this, how is it for you? Are you an HSP? How has it looked like for you?
Or maybe you know someone who is?
Self-compassion and self-acceptance
Imagine a little child, feeling the need for safety, being upset because he/she feels tired. How would you talk to that little child? What would your response be?
My automatic answer is giving him/her a hug, speaking in a soft voice, listening and taking care, understanding what is the reason why he/she is upset.
Now, when my nervous system is on override, when there has been a lot of stimulation from the outside world, when I feel drained, my response to this is exactly like that.
Yes, I might be feeling sad, angry, tired, but my response to it is the soothing, caring mother within. I understand why that happened.
I take time to understand what my feelings are trying to tell me.
Understanding why and what made me feel that way, what was the trigger, how can I work on it next time, and what do I need in that moment to take care of myself.
Accepting that I am this way, learning about myself, how to be like this in a world with so much noise.
The moment of frustration and taking care of myself isn’t always easy and pretty, so no, not always a sunshine. But through practice it has become easier, showing compassion again and again made it easier overtime.
Emotional hygiene here is very important.
What it is like to be an HSP?
But is it just draining, overstimulating and overall, an awful experience?
Most definitely not!
There is such a gift given to me with this sensitivity!
While I catch on fast on the things around me, I also see the beauty very brightly!
The same with feelings and energies.
It feels like it is all amplified.
Feeling others, noticing the little things in their energies, body language, feelings. In myself – feeling everything on a bigger scale.
When I have a conversation with someone, I pick up on both their being and mine on a much larger scale.
So much ability on both sides.
And here we have the importance of understanding, deep self-love, self-acceptance.
Being like a sponge, picking up on both the good and the not so good. It requires knowledge about oneself, about what has been picked up, is it mine, for example, anger, irritation, scarcity mindset, anything. If it is not mine then understanding it, working on releasing it. Requires knowledge on what helps me, what are my self-soothing techniques, how I can recharge and, very important, PROTECT MY ENERGY!
Oh, it seems like I have so much to say about this topic.
We will have many more conversations about this.
I remember being younger, about 7 years old, and always noticing one kind of lamp when going to the store. The lamp was very sensory calming and interesting. No one bought it for me. But now I found it again about a year ago and with no second thoughts I bought it.
For me sensory calming lights, gadgets, soothing lighting, or maybe even an eye mask. Something that calms my senses has always been interesting to me.
One major thing is to learn how to soothe them myself as well, with no outside help.
Then comes in the deep breathing, meditation, and yes, music also helps, as well as just closing my eyes.
But I am already touching up on our future topics , haha.
Oh, I hope this helped you in one way or another.
This is an introduction into the major topic of being an HSP. There is much more I can say about this, so I will see you later!
I hope this post gave you a safe space for a moment and the knowing that you are not alone!
I will see you next time!
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