by Michaela | May 4, 2017 | Blog, Empath, HSP highly sensitive, INFJ |
If you’re an empath, you are all too familiar with overwhelm and burnout. But did you know that you are also particularly susceptible to something called “empath compassion fatigue”? It turns out that for empaths, who literally feel the emotions and energy of others, compassion is not a limitless resource. Empath compassion fatigue is the point when you reach your limit. Suddenly, you realize that your emotional stores are depleted and your compassion has been replaced by apathy, or even anger. Compassion fatigue, which is also known as “secondary traumatization”, is caused by the emotional residue from working with people or animals who have suffered from trauma. This can occur after exposure to one trauma case, or it can be cumulative. You see, all the pain and suffering you encounter can build up over time. Layer after layer settles on your gentle empath heart and soul. Eventually, it weighs you down, and quells your motivation. Who suffers from empath compassion fatigue? While all empaths are susceptible to compassion fatigue, there are some who are more at risk than others. Compassion fatigue is considered to be an occupational hazard for anyone working in a caregiving role. Careers that commonly lead to empath compassion fatigue include: doctor counsellor psychologist nurse EMT support worker veterinarian animal shelter worker As you can see, careers that place empaths in close contact with those who have suffered trauma inevitably lead to empath compassion fatigue. But what about all the unofficial caregivers out there? Oftentimes, empaths attract or are attracted to those in need. You are drawn in by the stories of shame and suffering. You...
by Michaela | Mar 13, 2017 | Blog, HSP highly sensitive, INFJ, INFP, introvert energy, Introvert Health |
Having an introverted personality impacts every area of your life. It’s obvious how your introversion influences your career and relationships, but is it possible that there is a link between personality and food? And is there such a thing as an ideal introvert diet? As an introvert, you might have already noticed that you have unique dietary needs. For example, you might be more sensitive to stimulants, such as caffeine and refined sugar. Perhaps, you’ve also discovered that eating certain foods does crazy things to your already unpredictable energy levels. Is it possible that your introversion has something to do with these diet sensitivities? The research on the subject is thin, but I’ve uncovered some important links between personality and diet: Many introverts, identify as a highly sensitive person (HSP) — especially those with ‘IN’ Myers-Briggs personality types (INFP, INFJ, INTJ, INTP) . When you are HSP, you experience hypersensitivity to external AND internal stimuli. Caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and various chemicals are all forms of stimuli that can create fatigue, anxiety, and mental fog in HSPs. Introverts are deep thinkers, who make decisions based on their internal experience. Many introverts carefully contemplate — and, even obsess — over the foods we choose to eat, making sure to consider how these foods line up with our values. This can lead to a highly specific introvert diet, which takes into account all sorts of factors, such as animal welfare, the environment, longevity, and disease prevention. Many introverts also consider themselves to be empaths. This means that we literally feel the energy and emotions of others. This can impact diet in two...
by Michaela | Nov 15, 2016 | Blog, connection, Empath, HSP highly sensitive, Introvert Strengths |
A lot of people think that those of us who are quiet and highly sensitive are weak. They believe that quiet + courageous is a contradiction. Now more than ever, I whole-heartedly disagree. No matter what your political views, you can’t deny that the recent US election has created a sense of division and brokenness. After reading posts from some of my favorite bloggers, I noticed a pattern in the comments. The phrase “I feel so helpless” came up a lot. But there is another, more hopeful trend, especially among my introverted and highly sensitive friends and colleagues. Highly sensitive does not mean helpless Many highly sensitive introverts are choosing not to run and hide post-election. We are not giving into the sense of helplessness. Instead, we are asking “What can we do? And how can we heal?” True to our conflict-averse nature, many highly sensitive introverts are ardently searching for ways to mend and unite. We want to gently break down the walls of division, rather than build them up. I see introverted leaders like Susan Cain, author of Quiet and creator of QuietRev.com, sharing Facebook posts like this one: Cain speaks her truth in a way that is clear, but never unkind. The overall theme of her message is, “What can we do? And how can we heal ?” I see my friend, publicity and business coach Selena Soo (who is a proud introvert and INFJ) making a stand for unity and compassion. Selena reached out to her community by email to address the “hate and mean-spirited language” fuelled by the US election. She reminded her peeps that real...
by Michaela | Nov 10, 2016 | Blog, Empath, HSP highly sensitive, INFJ |
If you’re an empath like me, you are feeling the effects of the recent US election right now. As you already know, the 2016 US election was a non-stop train wreck of nastiness that left the country shocked, fearful, and divided. As a highly sensitive empath, you not only feel your own emotions related to the US election, you also feel the anxiety, sadness, and anger of others. You feel the collective energy of fear within both your emotional and physical bodies. This creates a kind of emotional overload, which causes various unsettling symptoms. If you live in North America, you might be experiencing at least one of the below symptoms of empathic emotional overload: high levels of exhaustion and fatigue that seem out of sync with what is going on in your personal and professional life persistent nausea, coupled with an unshakeable sense of anxiety difficulty concentrating, and staying motivated erratic emotions – one minute you are okay, and the next you are moved to tears for seemingly no reason cold symptoms, such as a sore throat (emotions have a major impact on our immune system!) If you are experiencing any or all of the above, know that there is a good reason for this. An entire nation is emotionally shell-shocked right now. Being an empath, you have absorbed more than your share of the bullets. You are dealing with your own confusion and sadness, as well as the intense emotions of everyone around you. A surprising sensation Even though I am Canadian, live alone, and can go the whole day without seeing other people, I still feel the...
by Michaela | Aug 3, 2016 | Blog, HSP highly sensitive, introvert energy, Introvert List Post |
Have you ever been told you’re “overly sensitive”? If you’re a highly sensitive person like me, you’ve probably heard these hurtful words more times than you can count. As a highly sensitive person, you also know what it’s like to feel the emotions of others so deeply that it hurts. Or get so overwhelmed by crowds, loud noises, and strong smells that you want to hide out under a blanket all day. People constantly tell you to “toughen up” and “grow a thicker skin”. They believe that being thin-skinned in our abrasive world is a liability. But here’s the thing. Being highly sensitive, you also have subtle superpowers that the more calloused among us don’t get to enjoy. In other words, your sensitivity is actually your greatest strength. Read on to discover 9 secret superpowers of the highly sensitive person. Superpowers of the Highly Sensitive Person 1. You find strength in solitude. The ability to spend time alone and actually enjoy it is a virtue. Being content in solitude means that you don’t waste time and money on useless distractions and superficial friendships. You don’t need to constantly be around people to feel fulfilled. You find happiness and strength in quiet moments when you can reflect and recharge. 2. You understand the importance of pacing. Have you ever heard the story of the tortoise and the hare? The hare looses the race because he doesn’t know how to pace himself. This tried and true metaphor perfectly illustrates why the highly sensitive person has an advantage in life. Your sensitivity forces you to slow down, which leads to fewer wrong...
by Michaela | Jul 4, 2016 | Blog, Books, Business/leadership, connection, HSP highly sensitive, introvert energy, Introvert List Post, Introvert problems, Relationships/Dating |
Welcome to my detailed list of the top books for introverts! If you’re an introverted book lover like me, you know the anguish of not having anything good to read. A lack of good books can be especially painful during lazy summer days, when all you want to do is sit in the shade and swim through the pages of a great book. Ay, but there’s a rub. It’s hard to know what to read. We all have our own taste when it comes to books. No matter what your personal palate for literature, I think you’ll get a lot out of the books for introverts I recommend here. So, let’s dive in, shall we? Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life is Your Hidden Strength By Laurie Helgoe Of all the books for introverts, Introvert Power is definitely my favorite. It’s written with such compassion, and color you’ll want to drink up every word. At nearly 300 pages, it’s also comprehensive. Here’s just a little taste of what you’ll find in Introvert Power: “As an introvert, you can be your own best friend or your worst enemy. The good news is we generally like our own company, a quality that extroverts often envy. We find comfort in solitude and know how to soothe ourselves. Even our willingness to look at ourselves critically is often helpful.” Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking By Susan Cain This book has been a game changer for countless introverts all over the world. It served as a major catalyst for the introvert revolution, which continues to gain speed to this day....
