Too Tenderhearted?
Do folks tell you you are too sensitive? Too tenderhearted? I am surprised when I hear this. Are we still telling people to suck it up, deal with it, take one for the team, push through it, grin and bear it, be brave, shape up, brace yourself, never say die, or one of the many other ways to say, don’t be sensitive. Maybe you find yourself telling others this, or telling yourself.
Do You Know What You Need?
You might know what overwhelms you. Perhaps you know but you try to ignore it. Maybe you ae discovering new things that make you feel anxious. Have you considered if you are a Highly Sensitive Person? A book by Elaine Aron, The Highly Sensitive Person is a good resource. This Ted Talk, by Marwa Azab is also helpful to watch if you feel stressed out by crowds, loud noises, pain feels more intense to you, you feel others suffering and other strong reactions.
Sensory Overload
We are in a time of sensory overload. There are so many social media options, maybe just pick one or two. We are navigating re emerging after the COVID pandemic as we enter what seems to be related or new concerns about COVID and our health and the health of our loved ones. I suspect you are tracking all of this emotionally so give yourself a break, meditate, watch a show(s), read a book, play a game, look outside, pet your dog, call or text a friend, or some other action or non action that comforts you.