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HSP News #8 - Remember Who You Are
It seemed fitting to start this newsletter with the following deeply resonating article by Barbara Allen-Williams, the founder of the NCHS, which seems to contain the most important message we have for you at this time:
Remember who you are, to understand why you are here
"A message to all beautiful, highly sensitive people out there. I know 2016 has been hard and at Christmas time it can be harder. Many HSPs have had difficult lives, made more difficult by misunderstandings about what high sensitivity is. There has also been a lot in the news worldwide that has caused worry, heartbreak and concern. I know you will have had some deep and intense responses to the unmet needs, confusion and hate that have dominated headlines from time to time. It is in our nature to worry, to express distress, on behalf of human kind. It is also in our nature to know that things can be better.
 Let’s continue to remember that we are only human, but importantly, also Numinous - we are light bringers - we ‘see’ what needs to be seen, and our sensitivity enables us to find creative and inspiring ways to encourage the best from people. Never forget that although we are a minority, we are just as important in the grand scheme of things, for maintaining a healthy world. We can do this by taking care of ourselves, building our inner strength, healing our wounds, being forgiving, being kind, speaking our truth when it is the right place and time to do so, both at home and ‘out there'. Do remember to gather together with other HSPs, share your energy, your hope, your heart, your gifts, your special kind of intelligence and depth. Above all, remember that your sensitivity is an integral, valid and life-changing resource for those around you. Don’t hide it, let it shine. Don’t degrade it, celebrate it. Don’t withhold it, share it with all the generosity of spirit you can muster. Give freely, but don’t invest in how it is received. You are you and that is good enough. Happy holiday to everyone, whatever your belief, your need or your desire. Above all, I wish you love in this season of renewed hope and good will."
You can read a more detailed update from Barbara here about the work of the National Centre for High Sensitivity in the UK - don't miss this if you are interested in new initiatives for HSPs in the UK that you can shape and get involved with. You can also see below our current listings of events from the UK and our usual HSP-related selection of news and articles. Hope you'll find some things to spark your interest. |
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HSP Meetups
If you would like information on Sensory Processing Sensitivity and meet other HSPs, do come along to our gently facilitated Meetups supported by the National Centre for High Sensitivity (NCHS).
Andover, Hampshire
- 19th Jan 6:30-8:30pm
- 11th Feb 10:30-12:30am
- 16th March 6:30-8:30pm
- 15th Feb 10:30-12:30am
- 18th May 6:30-8:30pm
Join and RSVP (£5) on Meetup.com
Cookham Rise, Berkshire
- 18th Jan 7:30-9:00pm
- 18th Feb 3:30-5:30pm
Join and RSVP (£10) on Meetup.com or at this Meetup Group
Brighton, East Sussex
- 4th Feb 11:15-12:45am (with Barbara Allen-Williams)
- 18th March 1:15-2:45pm
- 15th Apr 1:15-2:45pm
Join and RSVP (£10) on Meetup.com
Exeter, Devon
- Two-monthly meetings usually on Tuesdays 6:30-8pm - next date TBC at the Meetup website below.
Join and RSVP (£10) on Meetup.com
Manchester area
- Date & location TBC - RSVP to show your interest in attending.
Join and RSVP (£10) on Meetup.com
Cardiff area
- Date & location TBC - RSVP to show your interest in attending.
Join and RSVP (£10) on Meetup.com
Nottingham area
- Date & location TBC - RSVP to show your interest in attending.
Join and RSVP (£10) on Meetup.com
HSP Parlour, online chat with HSPs
- 2nd Jan 6:30-7:30pm
- 6th Feb 6:30-7:30pm
- 6th March 6:30-7:30pm
- 3rd Apr 6:30-7:30pm
Join and RSVP (£10) on Meetup.com
Read more about our meetups and join our on-line communities at the links above, where you can also RSVP and pay in advance, if you'd like to attend. Looking forward to meeting you! |
HSP Events
RSVP and see further details about the events at the links below.
HSP Christmas Mingle
16th Dec, Andover, Hampshire
Link to details
Nurturing the Numinous - Mentoring and Support Day
15th Jan, Andover, Hampshire
Link to details
HSP training for Professionals - CPD
28th Jan, Andover, Hampshire
Link to details
Meetup for HSP Therapists
4th Feb, Brighton, Sussex
Link to details
HSPs in Relationships [1] - workshop
18th March, Andover, Hampshire
Link to details
Meetup for HSP Therapists
1st Apr, Brighton, Sussex
Link to details
HSP Support Weekend (residential)
7-9th April, Andover, Hampshire
Details will follow on our Meetup site
HSP training for Professionals - CPD
13th May, Andover, Hampshire
Details will follow on our Meetup site
HSC Parent Day - info, Q&A, consultation
21th May, Andover, Hampshire
Details will follow on our Meetup site
Meetup for HSP Therapists
3rd June, Brighton, Sussex
Link to details
HSP Rest and Recovery in the West Country
8th -12th June, Location TBC
Link to details
Events further ahead or announced after this newsletter issue are listed at the NCHS website. |
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NCHS News - Then, Now and the Future
If you are interested in the work of the National Centre for High Sensitivity in the UK, Barbara Allen-Williams, the founder of the NCHS, has written an update about the recent workings of the NCHS, new kind of events that we have started this year and some plans for 2017. If you ever wondered how could you support the work of the NCHS, you can see in this article what projects and initiatives you can get involved with - sometimes, it is just giving feedback about events and letting us know what kind of HSP events would you be interested in attending. You can also help us finding venues for events and consider training with Barbara for facilitating HSP Meetups in your area and running other kind of HSP services. |
Holiday Stress Relief
The build-up to Christmas and the holidays seems to have become one of the most stressful times for people in general, and especially for the highly sensitive. Just as our bodies crave a slowing down and turning inward, we are required to do more things than usual and with more people than usual. Reminding ourselves this, may ease the need to try to squeeze more out of ourselves than what feels right. It helps to focus on what is really important for us this time of the year and let go expectations beyond that. No-one talks better about this than Elaine Aron, so read her tips, if you could do with learning about how to make this time of the year less stressful. |
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Time to Bounce Back
One of the main aspect of high sensitivity is our tendency to get easily overwhelmed, which is one of the perpetual bane of our existence. Struggling with overwhelm, however is not automatic - it also depends on what is going on in our external environment. This article by Ildiko Davis, Editor of this HSP newsletter, talks about why the world 'out there' is getting more and more overwhelming for us and some thoughts about how you can fight back by giving yourself time for quiet reflection about what truly matters to you and what are the things that you can let go. |
Sensitive And In Love - a new film in the pipeline
A new documentary is in the making about high sensitivity and relationships by the same team who produced the film: Sensitive - The Untold Story. The film will focus on how high sensitivity affects your relationships with loved ones - an important topic for all HSPs. Hopefully, the documentary will educate many people about conflict situations that can be avoided or resolved easier, with more understanding about differences in personality styles. You can still support the making of this film with donations - even a small donation would also entitle you to a free live stream of the completed film upon its release. |
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Tedx Talk about HSPs
I am delighted to let you know about a Tedx Talk about highly sensitive people by Elena Herdieckerhoff. Elena is a mentor for highly sensitive and empathic entrepreneurs and is a Founder and CEO of Entreprincess.com. She explains in her lighthearted and informative talk about the trait of high sensitivity and why we need to change the prevalent cultural narrative around HSPs. She makes a passionate case for accepting and appreciating more sensitive people, which would benefit the whole world and and not just HSPs. |
HSPs in the Media
It is always very encouraging to come across new broadcasts and articles that aim to introduce the trait of high sensitivity to the public. I am happy to share this short but passionate talk by Hannah Jane Walker on BBC radio about Sensitive Souls. It's great to hear that more and more highly sensitive people come out from hiding and declare their sensitive nature  Hannah talks about why today's society would need to appreciate more our sensitivity instead of seeing it as a character flaw. Here, here! |
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A New Book About Sensitive Sensation Seekers
This much needed book can throw light on high sensitivity for those HSPs, who are also High Sensation Seekers. This is an unlikely mix that can present some real challenges, but also can be the best of both worlds, if managed well. In his ground-breaking new book Dr. Tracy Cooper, presents new research findings that will help you better understand how to embody both traits in ways that promote well-being and contribute to creating a more fulfilled and meaningful life. This can be a very useful read for all highly sensitive people, who are also high sensation seekers, and the people who love them!
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Sensory Processing (or Integration) Disorder is not the same as Sensory Processing Sensitivity!
It is easy to see why the similarity of the scientific names for the normal trait of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS or more commonly referred to as High Sensitivity) and Sensory Processing (or Integration) Disorder (SPD) can create confusion and misunderstanding. This article, co-authored by Barbara Allen-Williams, Jacquelin Strickland & Elaine Aron, explains the main differences between the neutral trait and the disorder, which can clarify your understanding about both issues. It can be important that you don't confuse the two, and if needed, you can signpost anyone to this article - including professionals - who seem to be confused about this. |
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Subscribe to our HSP News
If you would like to continue to receive free updates about HSP related articles and events, please subscribe here to this newsletter. I hope the few simple steps this requires will be well worth it for you. We take your privacy very seriously and will not share your details with anyone. Also, updates will be about two-monthly, to save time for both of us :)
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Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding our newsletter, HSP events / meetups, or the work of the National Centre for High Sensitivity (NCHS) feel free to contact our team below. Click on the name to send us an e-mail.
Barbara Allen - Williams
Founder & Director of NCHS
HSP Meetup Facilitator in Hampshire & Berkshire
NCHS Workshop Facilitator / Trainer
(top photo on right)
Ildiko Davis
NCHS Newsletter Editor
NCHS Website Coordinator
(bottom photo on right ) |
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