discovering...day 4

i really had to dig deep to find some
photos to help me
do today's post,
"toxic people"...
because i tend to take photos of things i "like".

this photo was taken as we were heading
into Toronto one time.
i feel the same every time we arrive.
i know that i will be surrounded by stressed out people.
they're in cars, on the streets and in the buildings.
lots of toxic, unfriendly people.

HSP should arrange their lives
to avoid upsetting situations.
negative "stuff" can really deeply effect us.
*this was a castle i went to in Germany,
it was heavy and creepy, it just wasn't a very happy place
and it left me feeling off...
the surrounding area was extremely beautiful though
and that helped to balance things out.

often we learn to develop boundaries
for comfort
and safety becomes important.

HSP often "cut people out".

when people in our lives become troubled or negative
we become drained...
we feel their pain.
it can become unhealthy to stay connected
to that situation.

a finely tuned awareness
of people's intentions
will easily alert us
to people who lie,
people who bully,
people who are being fake,
people who are constantly inviting
drama into their lives.
having them in our lives
can create stress overload,
which left unchecked,
can speed the progression of stress to illness.
xox
this is why we often like to be alone.
tomorrow...how we deal with trauma.

discovering...day 3

If you've been visiting my blog for a while
you may recognize some of these photos,
I am going through my collection (7000+)
and picking out the ones that best help me to explain
my newly discovered trait.
I'm a...
"Highly Sensitive Person."
These first 2 photos are of the last 2 big concerts
I attended.
Lots of people, bright flashing lights and very loud music.
I love a good concert.
I laugh and clap and scream and cry.
It really gets me excited...

I am very picky about who I see.
I would never put myself in this position
for just anyone.
The music has to move me.
I have to have an emotional connection to the music...
and the performer.
It all has to be worth the trouble.
Once the "high" or "arousal" has ended
I need to re-boot,
time to recover from the over stimulation.
It usually leaves me tired and
needing time alone.

HSP respond STRONGLY to external stimuli
and become exhausted from
"taking in" and processing.
If I find myself in a situation
where I am feeling overstimulated and I am not
feeling anything other than uncomfortable
(nothing positive is coming out of the experience),
I can expect to have symptoms like
blushing, heart palpitations
and a feverish feeling.
My muscles tighten
and I feel anxious.

I try to stay away from these situations.
Also avoiding fluorescent lights,
chemical odors
and certain kind of people.
I've been doing this for years...
and all the while thinking that
I had some sort of problem.
Like I was strange.
Like I had some sort of "mental" condition.

My brain just works differently than 80%
of the population.
It has always seemed like a sign that I was weak.

But I'm not.
I am sensitive.
This world needs people like me.
(and you?)

I think a lot of my blogging friends
are "getting it"...
We are creative and we think alike.
xox
Tomorrow I'll share a bit about toxic relationships...