Pegasus Springs Expressive Arts

HAPPY WORLD HSP DAY! October 6th is the day that Highly Sensitive People around the world draw attention to what it means to be sensitive in an overstimulating... world. Much like other days dedicated to special people the goal of World HSP day is to draw awareness to HSP (highly sensitive persons) so that the 80% of the population who does not experience this can understand. This is also a chance for you to be present with yourself and remind yourself to be a little more sensitive every day. SO... today's message is for the 80% of the population who do not identify with being highly sensitive. Here's a few things you need to know about doing business, working with, or befriending a HSP. You likely already have a highly sensitive person in your life. They make up 20% of the population. I also believe they make up 50% of the creative community. HSP isn't a disorder. It's a grouping of traits that define what it means to be sensitive to your environment. Biologists have found it in over 100 species. This trait reflects a certain type of survival strategy, being observant before acting. The brains of highly sensitive persons (HSPs) actually work a little differently than others. A decreased level of serotonin (the happy hormone) causes us to approach the world in a different way. Highly Sensitive People have a few characteristics that help them to stand out from the crowd. We process things more deeply causing our thoughts and emotions to often have physical, emotional, or mental side effects. We are easily overstimulated. Overstimulation can come from a variety of scenarios like sounds, crowds, tasks, and more. When we become overstimulated it's more difficult to operate "normally" in society. We are highly empathic and intuitive. We absorb the energy of spaces and people easily. We are highly attuned to the people and the environment around us. We are always sensing subtleties around us. Not just details but even the smallest subtleties in personality, body language, and mannerism - we notice them and interpret them. Being highly sensitive has both positive and negative effects. The more we focus on the positive aspects of a Highly Sensitive Person the more that becomes available to them in the world. *Why is this important?* Understanding that your friends, co-worker, partner, or employees are HSPs allows you to help them align their lives and work with their sensitivities. An HSP partner will need to be loved differently. An HSP employee will need different tasks and frequent breaks. A highly sensitive co-worker will respond to the office dynamics differently than you do! They are not just "too sensitive" or "overreacting". They aren't "overdramatic". Sensitivity isn't the same as shyness. Sensitivity isn't associated with depression. Although both can also reside in a highly sensitive person. *Entrepreneurship and HSP* HSPs make fabulous business owners! We are highly intuitive, full of deep ideas, and are often purpose-driven. But navigating the world of entrepreneurship can often be overstimulating, intense, and tough for the HSP. Imagine carrying the energy of your clients, team, products, and family while noticing and interpreting every subtlety in your environment while processing every thought more deeply. This is why HSPs introduce Freeze to the Fight or Flight Syndrome. It's also why HSPs often behave in business like a pendulum. They are either overworked high achievers or over-worried avoiders. Sometimes swinging between these depending on the task or the requirements of the task. Business owners who are HSPs need deep connections, trusting collaborators, and people who understand that some things overwhelm them. HSCEOs (as I call them) need to focus on aligning their businesses, creations, offers, and buyers to their specific set of sensitivities. HSCEOs make great leaders! Great partners! Great lovers! Loyal friends. Dedicated employees. They are incredibly hard-working but don't thrive in today's business hustle culture! That's why awareness is so important for HSCEOs. They need to be seen, understood, and advocated for! I am proud to be a HIGHLY SENSITIVE CEO! I believe that the world needs more sensitive people like me. I believe that sensitivity is a strength. I believe that everyone can learn something transformation from the HSPs in your life! So let's celebrate HSCEOs and HSPs of the world today! #worldhspday

An example of one of my favourite frameworks, the hero's journey, used in art therapy to navigate difficult landscapes / life circumstances, by going into the metaphorical world, finding allies & conquering obstacles. #herosjourney #expressiveart #arttherapy

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Happy Holidays!