Unapologetically Sensitive
Patricia Young
In this podcast, we explore how sensitivity weaves itself into our lives. We talk about the richness that it adds, and the strengths we have BECAUSE of our sensitivity and some of the challenges it poses as well. If you are a Creative, a deep thinker, a deep feeler, neurodivergent, autistic, a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), an introvert, or identify as INFJ or ENFJ, you may enjoy the in-depth conversations where we talk openly and honestly about how we experience life. This is a podcast where you can learn, relate, laugh and maybe even live a bolder, brighter life.
Have you been told you’re “too” (fill in the blank)? You’re too sensitive; you think/worry too much; you take things too personally; you’re too emotional, too finicky, too fragile, too intense, too uptight, too slow. Have you been told you can’t take a joke; you can’t go with the flow? You can’t let go of things? Making decisions can be very difficult. You might have an acute sense of smell, and strong odors, crowded noisy environments and bright lights are just too much!
You notice things that no one else does. You have a strong sense of justice and you may be a peace-keeper. Conflict feels uncomfortable. You’re the one that everyone tells their problems to because you’re a good listener who cares deeply.
You’re in the right place!
You may have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, ADHD or something else. Sometimes Highly Sensitive People are misdiagnosed. Our brains are wired differently. We are born with the trait of High Sensitivity. There’s nothing wrong with you! You will learn that your perceived weaknesses are really are your superpowers! Dr. Elaine Aron coined the term Highly Sensitive Person (also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity).
Have you been told you’re “too” (fill in the blank)? You’re too sensitive; you think/worry too much; you take things too personally; you’re too emotional, too finicky, too fragile, too intense, too uptight, too slow. Have you been told you can’t take a joke; you can’t go with the flow? You can’t let go of things? Making decisions can be very difficult. You might have an acute sense of smell, and strong odors, crowded noisy environments and bright lights are just too much!
You notice things that no one else does. You have a strong sense of justice and you may be a peace-keeper. Conflict feels uncomfortable. You’re the one that everyone tells their problems to because you’re a good listener who cares deeply.
You’re in the right place!
You may have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, ADHD or something else. Sometimes Highly Sensitive People are misdiagnosed. Our brains are wired differently. We are born with the trait of High Sensitivity. There’s nothing wrong with you! You will learn that your perceived weaknesses are really are your superpowers! Dr. Elaine Aron coined the term Highly Sensitive Person (also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity).
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 11, 2018 • 11min
Bonus Episode 10 Being Mindful of Labels
Knowing we are an introvert, extrovert or Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), can bring relief, and it can help us understand why we are the way we are. It can provide comfort, validation, understanding and knowledge. However, it’s important to be mindful HOW we’re using these “labels.” I always thought I had social anxiety, but in retrospect, I think it was overwhelm and overstimulation. I also thought I was an introvert, so I avoided social situations thinking this was how to take care of myself. I recently learned that I’m a highly sensitive extrovert, and I need to find the right balance of stimulation and “out” time to feel really nurtured and fulfilled. When I thought I was an introvert, I took a lot of down time thinking it’s what I needed to recharge, but it left me feeling listless and a little depressed, because what I needed was connection to others. I talk about the importance of play, and how it’s easy to lose the joy and connection we felt when we were younger, and how having that sense of connection can bring joy and energy to our lives. I end up talking about how it took me 14 years to get my BA degree, and 8 years to get my license (which is a 2 year process), and then it took me 17 months to launch this podcast. This is where the use of self-compassion comes in, and trusting that as HSPs, we often need more time to do things. It’s not a bad thing. I also talk about author Susan Cain and her book Quiet, the Power of Introverts, and how she blends traits of being Highly Sensitive with being an introvert. I also mention Jacquelyn Strickland’s article called Introverts, Extroverts and the Highly Sensitive Person which can be found on Dr. Elaine Aron's website. You can find references to these in the show notes. Introversion, Extroversion and the Highly Sensitive Person by Jaquelyn Strickland, LPC--https://hsperson.com/introversion-extroversion-and-the-highly-sensitive-person/ Quiet, the Power of Introverts by Susan Cain Podcast—How to Be a Girl by Marlo Mack Website--www.patriciayounglcsw.com Podcast--www.unapologeticallysensitive.com Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/Patricia-Young-LCSW-162005091044090/ Youtube--https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE6fodj7RBdO3Iw0NrAllg/videos?view_as=subscriber e-mail--info@unapologeticallysensitive.com Show hashtag--#unapologeticallysensitive MUSIC—Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com
Nov 10, 2018 • 12min
bonus episode 9 Confusing Wounding from Childhood with Being an HSP
Many HSPs have wounding from childhood because their caregiver(s) were not able to attune with them (to understand their needs, and respond in a way that would have nurtured the HS child). This leads to anxiety and depression (shown in Dr. Elaine Aron's Research www.hsperson.com). Many HSPs grow up hating their sensitivity because it wasn't embraced or supported when they were young. These HSPs didn't learn how to honor their gifts, and often they have been told what's wrong with them, so they bring these wounds into their relationships, where they are told again that they are too sensitive. It's not the sensitivity that's the problem! It's the wounding. Then I go off on a little rant about the benefits of therapy and how to choose an HSP knowledgeable therapist.
Nov 9, 2018 • 9min
Bonus Episode 8 The Power of Compassion and Forgiveness
We never know who we will impact, or how people will be impacted by our behavior. This is a little change of pace, and I feel pretty vulnerable putting this out there. There is so much power in receiving forgiveness! I was bully when I was younger, and although I apologized to the boy I was ruthless to when I saw him many years ago at my high school reunion, when I launched this podcast, he was following me on social media, and I felt like I didn't deserve to have him share my episodes and support me because I had been so terrible to him. I reached out to him via messenger and I read his response to me in this episode.
Nov 8, 2018 • 5min
Bonus episode 7 Unexpected Changes
Sometimes where there are unexpected changes, we have a little bit of a harder time going with the flow. This episode talks about some of the types of big and small changes that might throw us off, and how we can work with our reactions so that when life gets bumpy, we learn how to ride the bumps www.patriciayounglcsw.com www.unapologeticallysensitive.com unapologeticallysensitive@gmail.com facebook group--Unapologetically Sensitive instagram--Unapologetically Sensitive Music--Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.AndyRobinson.com
Nov 7, 2018 • 3min
Bonus Episode 6 How to Take a Mini-Break When We're Overwhelmed
When there is too much going on, and we need to find a quiet place to retreat in order to get some balance, what can we do? In this short episode I give a tip on how to get grounded if you're at work or home and only have a few minutes. Sometimes we just need to take what we can get.
Nov 6, 2018 • 1h 5min
004 When You're an Effeminate kid, and you love Wonder Woman, you Learn to Push that Down Quick, with Matt Marr
Matt Marr is a therapist, actor, podcaster & activist, just to name a few. Matt brings an open and refreshing view about growing up being an effeminate kid with a lisp in the South, and the mixed messages he received. We talk about the intersection of sensitivity and being gay in terms of degenderizing the world. Matt takes Dr. Elaine Aron's self-test to see if he rates as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). The was the very FIRST interview I did for the podcast, and Matt was exceptionally kind and supportive as I felt my way through the interview. We talk abut code switching, and how it affected Matt. We talk about bullying and playing sports as a kid when he wasn't athletic and didn't respond well to being athletic. Matt talks about his involvement with Camp Brave Trails and The Trevor Project. http://dearmattieshow.com/ https://twitter.com/themattmarr?lang-en https://www.youtube.com/user/talktomattmarr Camp Brave Trails https://www.bravetrails.org/ Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org Dr. Elaine Aron HSP self-test https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/ www.patriciayounglcsw.com www.unapologeticallysensitive.com https://www.facebook.com/Patricia-Young-LCSW-162005091044090/ unapologeticallysensitive@gmail.com show hashtag #unapologeticallysensitive MUSIC--Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com
Nov 5, 2018 • 3min
Bonus Episode 5 Being Conscientious
Highly Sensitive People are extremely conscientious. We care deeply about the work we do. We show up on time; we're prepared and we work hard. We think everyone has the same work ethic and values that we do, but it's not true.
Nov 4, 2018 • 3min
Bonus Episode 4 How to Create Peace and Calm
As Highly Sensitive People, our nervous systems often get overwhelmed and overstimulated. Learn how you can calm and soothe your overactive nervous system.
Nov 3, 2018 • 3min
Bonus Episode 3 Where We Feel Connected
Highly Sensitive People often feel more connected when they are in nature, or listening to music, or watching performing arts. We feel things deeply and pick up on subtleties, so these things nurture our spirit.
Nov 2, 2018 • 3min
Bonus Episode 2 Being a Deep Thinker
Highly Sensitive People think deeply about things that have happened; conversations they have had, and even about upcoming events. We take in so much information, that we explore multiple aspects of things we've experienced. Sometimes this means that we play "Could have, would have, should have" and it's usually not in our favor. We tend to be hard on ourselves and beat ourselves up wishing the conversation might have gone differently. Sometimes we need more time to process, and don't say what we want to in the moment.
