The Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast with Julie Bjelland

Show Notes During our childhood, we are much closer to our authentic selves. Even if our memories of childhood may be filled with challenge and discomfort. We are often very clear on what is most important to us and many of the gifts we rely on today were present. For those of us born with the trait of high sensitivity and high sensory intelligence we typically experienced the world in a particular and often profound way. It is quite common for us to have been misunderstood and for our emotional sensitivity to be seen as a disadvantage. Yet it is often the challenges we faced and the way we saw the world back then that shape us to specialize in a particular area of life. The Journey of our ‘inner Hero’ undertaking a very particular transformation from adversity into revelation. A journey that is usually encrusted with jewels and strengthened by the hardship we endured. Reframing our childhood and reclaiming what was most important to us back then can be pivotal in understanding who we are today and the important role we were born to play in the world. Join us this week where we share our own journey into adulthood and how they have been pivotal to the work we do today. Here’s What  We Talk About In This Episode We talk about the often conflicted experience we had growing up as a High Sensory or “Highly sensitive” child. What can happen when we pretend to be someone we are not just to feel accepted and fit in. How we tend to lose the very essence of who we are whilst continuing to fuel this misalignment ourselves into adulthood. The discussion helped us to see how the authentic version of ourselves we experienced as a child can be an important part to reclaiming ourselves as an adult. That we can all learn to stop believing and feeding the thoughts of self-criticism and self-rejection. That in fact, the essence of who we are is always available to us and inherently knows how to heal itself and bring ourselves back into balance. We also touch on the tricky area of coming away from toxic relationships. Just how important it is for us as high sensory people to be in the right company. We hear stories of how pivotal this can be to support our pathway back to claiming our true sense of self, meaning, and happiness that is our birthright. There were some wonderful moments of insight in this episode thank you to everyone who joined us and we would love to hear from you if you are listening to the replay. See you next week at the same time for more empowering discussions on what it means to thrive as an HSP. Willow's website: https://inluminance.com/ Julie's website: https://www.juliebjelland.com/

I’ve been working with highly sensitive people all over the world and have learned specific things that help support the balance of our sensitive nervous system. Sensory processing sensitivity means that we often experience sensory overload and experience the world differently than 80% of the population. Understanding your sensitive system is one of the best things you can do for yourself. When we find the right balance we can truly thrive in the world and access our gifts to share. You can take the free sensitivity quiz at www.sensitiveconnection.com

Whenever you feel depleted or irritable you may enjoy listening to this guided meditation. I encourage you to save this meditation and come back to it whenever you need it.

This trait evolved as a survival strategy of the population and the valuable gifts of the sensitive are needed now more than ever. It’s the sensitive who care so deeply and often the first ones who step up to help people and make a difference in the world. HSPs are  often organizing ways to help others, starting non-profits, opening food banks, connecting volunteers, observing and fixing cracks in systems. HSPs are valuable as leaders- they are hard workers, have superior abilities to create powerful teams, lead by example and often most respected by the team, ability to sense people’s strengths and arrange the best teams, etc. They are gifted healers and often the ones in medical settings and some of the best healers of the world, using extra abilities and gifts 80% of the population doesn’t have. Our extra depth of processing helps us see ways to make things better and more efficient and organized. We are innovative and notice patterns others miss. Accessing the full power of the HSP supercomputer brain and our superpowers involves learning how to live in balance. You can’t pour from an empty cup, therefore it is important to manage energy levels. Practicing healthy boundaries, the right amount of self-care for your sensory system, and improving the ability to live in a centered space are essential. It’s important to do things your way following your powerful instincts. We need you thriving in the world. Enjoy this episode and please share! From a listener: “I look forward to listening to these weekly. I liked this one so much I started it over again as soon as it ended. Thank you. :)” https://www.juliebjelland.com/  Willow's website: https://inluminance.com/

Sleep is so essential for our well being. This is a great episode to listen to right before sleep. I guide you into relaxation and then you drift off to sleep to music in the end.

This is a 15 minute visualization meditation to do before you sleep. From a listener: “I tried this last night. It was so good. I fell asleep I think within the first one to two minutes into a deep sleep. Your voice was so soothing, Julie. I will need to listen to the whole thing another time but it sure worked in terms of sleep. Thanks so much for creating this meditation! Much needed as I've been having trouble sleeping the past couple nights. :)”

Dr. Julia Hipp discusses naturopathic approaches to caring for the highly sensitive body during the COVID-19 pandemic. She talks about how your "terrain" or overall health can impact your immune system and ways to decrease your physical, mental and emotional overwhelm. Disclaimer: The information discussed in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your physician and/or holistic healthcare provider before trying any new supplements, herbs, exercise or other holistic health care routines.COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Julia Hipp is an HSP-naturopathic-doctor specializing in digestive health and care for the highly sensitive person. She is passionate about helping patients reach their optimal health goals in body, mind and spirit.  Dr. Julia's website: https://achilleamedicine.com/ Julie Bjelland's website: https://www.juliebjelland.com/

Making the conscious choice of choosing positive thoughts on a moment to moment basis. Strengthening the muscle of experiencing heart consciousness and how simple it becomes to access it. Learning to stop feeding the false opinion we have of ourselves. Learning to find the inner resource of knowing. How self love clears the path to meaning and the service we are here to share with the world.   From Listeners:  "This particular episode was soul balm to me! I want to listen to it again because it was so rich and nurturing😊Thank you both! Both of your stories resonated also very much with my experience I went through. And listening to it also helps to put it into words because there are still things that I don’t know yet how to put it in words or express it although I have discovered and explored a lot...there’s always something to learn😊 I like that you were mentioning that even one has already done a lot of inner work it doesn’t mean that you won’t be challenged anymore. That’s so true. Also, all what you were talking about criticism resonated with me. Looking forward to another episode 😊❤" "I enjoyed listening to this episode because there were so many things that I experience and had troubling putting into words and I can't believe others experience that as well. One being the conscious choice of saying to yourself I am not going to go down this negative path of thinking and the false point of view of myself. It  is incredible what nature and sunlight can bring out. Even on the way to driving to the store today I couldn't help but smile at the fresh air and Mamma Mia soundtrack I had playing. It was as if my free child- like happiness unraveled. Thank you for a beautiful episode. I am in hopes to finding my path and purpose in life. Thank you for all you do." https://www.juliebjelland.com/  https://inluminance.com/

There are so many things we can do right now to support ourselves through this crisis. Accessing resiliency and hope can make a big difference. Developing self compassion and brain training skills designed to activate calming centers will also support your balance. I have so many things to teach you that can help you as highly sensitive people and still find hope in crisis. From an HSP listener: “I started coloring yesterday and I immediately felt calm. I like how doing something creative can truly deactivate stress centers. I notice when they are deactivated I feel more myself and at peace; whereas before it was just so much overwhelm I didn’t even feel myself I felt like I didn’t know myself. I also think what you say about self compassion is so important. To truly give the love you give to others and turn in right back into yourself. Then you visualize it as not this overwhelmed anxious ball it’s more like sweet and able to tackle. Thank you for your sweet words and reminding me that something so beautiful will emerge from this growth”

There absolutely can be growth through suffering. In fact it’s our responsibility right now to intentionally take the path towards growth and to recognize the power of this trait of high sensitivity. This trait evolved as a survival strategy of the population. You are needed more than ever.