Dear Reader, This is my birthday week (or as my dear friend Shay used to say, birthday month) I'm not sure about my answer. Both and Neither??? Pressure, reflection, expectations, hosting, disappointment, embracing change. What I know for sure is how much more resilient I am when I practice my spirituality tools. As it's November, we are in HSP GRATITUDE MONTH. And I'm making use of my gratitude practices to increase my resilience. ARE YOU? I have a few practices to offer and would love to...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, Are you ready for Costa Rica? 100 days from now, I will meet you there. Beauty is everywhere. Nature provides. But it feels different in the rainforest. The colors are brighter, the forest is lusher, and dang do things grow. Beauty is everywhere. Nature provides. When I first got out of the SUV that chauffeured me (after the 15 minute private charter plane ride) I was a little done in. Travel can be exhausting for everyone, but more so for highly sensitive people since we are...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, Why gratitude? You know... at least I think it's common knowledge by now: Join me on Friday for Gratitude Practice in action. Get a jump start on HOLIDAY mental health. You deserve and NEED it. Here is one tool I created for our community: Open it up for instructions and inspiration. The LIVE Community Gratitude Board Now that November is underway, please check out lots of other opportunities to join me for support and fun as we move into this winter season. I'm always grateful...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, We celebrated World Mental Health Day at Are You Highly Sensitive, and we explored how crucial it is to show up for your own healing. It takes courage to look at how sensitivity and mental health intersect — and even greater courage to begin transforming that relationship, a powerful step toward reclaiming calm and trust in yourself. Here are a few highlights from our WMHD event: Healing doesn’t mean erasing your sensitivity — it means coming home to it. Safety is the soil where...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, Welcome to World Mental Health Day. In honor of the special day, I'm hosting a community conversation with a special focus on how highly sensitive people are navigating mental health in a world that challenges us every single day. The theme for 2025* alludes to what I hear from HSPs all the time. All the catastrophes and emergencies on the planet impact us. WE ARE PAINFULLY AWARE. The impact reverberates through our lives, activating trauma histories and stress. It's a gift, all...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, World Mental Health Day | 10 October 2025Catastrophes and Emergencies (aka HSP Trauma)As observing, thinking, noticing, caring world citizens, we are more impacted by humanitarian emergencies both close by and far away. World Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that there is no health without mental health. This year’s campaign focuses on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies. Crises such as...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader, Do you know who William H. Murray was? I'm speaking of the Scottish mountain climber who is known for this quote: Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, and always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans. That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too… All sorts of things occur to help one that would never...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, InevitableAwfulWelcomeScaryNecessaryOverwhelmingFabulousDifficultProgressUnsettlingTransformationPainfulGrowthUnavoidableConstant You choose. In any given moment it can be all of these or none of them, but one thing is certain: Change happens and as highly sensitive people, we are going to have thoughts and feelings about it!One of my favorite changes is happening this week: Autumn is here. It might not feel like it as I write this on one of the hottest days of our late summer,...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader, Have you noticed that your great ideas, advice, input, suggestions are sometimes not appreciated? In fact, you might have been accused of being meddling, controlling, or even hyper-critical. Sadly, it is true. We are both of these things. Thoughtful and caring AS WELL AS meddling and critical. How is one to find the balance? A fabulous tool for sharing is "Keep the focus on yourself and resist advising." This will be our first theme for Friday's HSP Tools and Topics. We have some...
3 months ago • 1 min read