My non-HSP friends help me in ways that make my life easier, like when …
- They cut to the chase and instantly see two options I can choose from rather than the 3,327 options I had been grappling with. I’m so thankful then because I suddenly see how to take action.
- They tease me about my sensitivities in ways that are very loving and accepting and, in the process, help me take myself less seriously. (Non-HSP: “Okay, since I’m ready to leave the house, that must mean it’ll take you ten more minutes of sock wrinkle abatement and whatnot. No problem. I’ll be reading in the living room. Honk the horn when you’re in the car with your hand on the key.”)
- They understand and accept my tongue-in-cheek motto – “Adjustments Must Be Made” – and even say it out loud themselves when they’re trying to understand me. (“Are you going to be fiddling around with the pillows during the entire DVD, or what? Oh, right, ‘Adjustments Must Be Made.’ I’ll wait.”)
- They ask me for help, knowing I see things in a way they don’t, then listen with an open mind.
- They get things done quickly when time is of the essence and when I would have taken a long time so as to make quadruply sure I didn’t leave anything out or undone, on principle, rather than because it really mattered.
- They help me in social situations, by holding my hand and doing the talking for both of us while I get my bearings, or checking up on me regularly, or introducing me to a quiet friend they think I’ll like.
- They are the same as me. When I notice their sameness, our common traits, and the many ways we are alike, it reminds me that together we are a whole and healthy humanity, a combination of samenesses and differences that works. We are peas in the same human pod and I’m glad to be here with them. I’m glad we are a we.
Related reading: Specifics Trump Stereotypes, Book | Kinship with All Life
6 Comments
Well, you can imagine why I love this post so much! Thank YOU for understanding ME and sharing your perspective so wholeheartedly and unashamedly. I love your HSP-ness.
Such a lovely ode! I am grateful for all the differences between all of us — makes life soooooo interesting! And yes, very grateful to my non-HSP friends who bear with me with such style and grace!
What a warm and inspiring way through to acceptance of such lovely traits. Thanks for the confirmation of sharing your experiences. I read this yesterday and have felt the supportive impact ever since. Thanks for the gift of your words.
It actually took me a while to write this post. I wrote it because I needed to find the wisdom of the concept of sharing the world, and I kept writing it and thinking about it until I’d found enough information to convince myself the concept it a good one. I’m glad you think so, too.
It’s nice to know me taking a breather to get my bearings for the big picture hasn’t completely stopped people from visiting the site and finding something useful. Thanks for letting me know you did.
I hope all is well with you.
Love,
Grace
This is such a lovely piece, I just posted it to the Happy Sensitives facebook community.
Thank you, Caroline.