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Vibrant Days – March 2025


Vibrant Days… Flourishing with Sensory Processing Sensitivity

Greetings Sensitive Souls,

I’m listening to a parade of bird sounds and feeling lighter due to the arrival of Spring. Sharing an article today from a colleague who lives, leads and breathes our trait. We had a great chat the other day reminding each other that high sensitivity is a neutral trait. What on earth?  I am reflecting on this and what it means for my daily life. Hope it stirs something powerful within you.

~ Candy

 

Five Stages of Cultural Awareness and Acceptance
by Jacquelyn Strickland, retired psychotherapist & LPC

Many of you may know that my background in social work, women’s studies, cultural diversity, and a graduate degree in counseling have informed my work with Sensory Processing Sensitivity for over 25 years. over 25 years.  My Five Stages of Cultural Awareness and Acceptance was first published in Dr. Elaine Aron’s (hard copy) newsletter, The Comfort Zone many years ago.

Just like other ‘marginalized’ groups in society, I think it is imperative that we each own our unique identities and begin a process of healing from what is sometimes a case of “internalized oppression.” This falls under the category of the many “ISMs” that permeate society and I believe that HSPism has been real for many of us. This ‘ism’ needs to be challenged and as HSPs, we need to step up into owning our power. This type of power is not the typical “power over” paradigm, but simply a belief in the “power to instigate change for the betterment of ourselves or others.

What Does it Mean to Acknowledge, Affirm & Promote our Sensitivities?
Jacquelyn Strickland, LPC

The following definitions are from Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the .English Language, 1996.  The examples following the definitions may help us to rethink what we have been taught, what we have internalized and what we can do differently when it comes to being a Highly Sensitive Person.

1.  Disparage: To belittle, demean, ridicule, discredit
Believing: “HSPs’ are weak, irritable, inferior, fearful, too emotional, too nervous, too intense.”
Beliefs often associated with this stage:
~There is something wrong with me
~I am a disappointment
~I am powerless

Feelings often associated with this stage:
Dejected, Hopeless, Depressed, Ashamed, Overwhelmed, Fragile, Vulnerable

2.  Deny: To refuse to recognize or acknowledge
Believing: “You’re too sensitive, you need to toughen up, bite the bullet, suck it up.”
Beliefs often associated with this stage:
~My needs are not important
~I cannot trust my judgment
~I am weak – I am a failure
~I have to be perfect

Feelings often associated with this stage:
Stressed out, irritable, angry, resentful, guilty, heavy-hearted

3.  Acknowledge: To admit to be real or true; to recognize the existence of
Believing: “Yes…your needs and mine are different … help me to understand you, so I can help you to understand me.”

Beliefs often associated with this stage: 
~I can be myself
~I can get what I want and need
~I have choices

Feelings often associated with this stage:  Relief, intrigued, inspired, absorbed

4.  Affirm: To state or assert positively
Believing: “HSPs have a unique way of being in the world, we have a more finely tuned nervous system, and we process things deeply and purposefully.”

Beliefs often associated with this stage:
~I can trust myself
~I can be myself and make mistakes
~I can learn to take care of my sensitive self

Feelings often associated with this stage: Proud, Relaxed, passionate, hopeful, optimistic

5.  Promote: To further, advance, or exalt; put in a higher position
Believing: “HSPs are not “better” than non-HSPs, nor are we superior…yet, knowing that HSPs have unique gifts,  talents, and skills and much to contribute to the world around us, our families, our workplaces, relationships, etc.”

Beliefs often associated with this stage:
~I deserve love and respect
~I am fine just as I am
~I can trust my judgment
~I can choose whom to trust

Feelings often associated with this stage:  Appreciative, Grateful, Inspired, Empowered, Excited

From:  Edited from Dr. Evonne Hedgepeth, Ph.D.,   “What Does It Really Mean to “Affirm” Versus “Promote”     A handout used in cultural diversity training & modified for HSPs by Jacquelyn Strickland, LPC. Use only with permission.

Questions for Reflection

 Which feelings and beliefs do you most identify with?

  1. What keeps you from moving forward to the next stage?
  2. What is your biggest need/fear as an HSP?   Who can help you address this need?
  3. Which statements might you utilize as positive affirmations to build and maintain your confidence as an HSP?
  4. What kind of support do you need to move forward?

Jacquelyn Strickland, LPC     (970) 484-0840 – www.jacquelynstrickland.com

Riverbank Outdoor Group Sign Ups:

6,515 Coming Soon Stock Photos - Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime

I will never view singing the same after listening to this:

https://www.nhpr.org/environment/2025-03-06/outside-in-why-we-sing

We sing along at concerts. We chant at protests. We belt it out at birthday parties. Why do humans sing together?

What I’m pondering:

What I’m reflecting on:

“All things with which we deal preach to us. What is a farm but a mute gospel? The chaff and the wheat, weeds and plants, blight, rain, insects, sun,–it is a sacred emblem from the first furrow of spring to the last stack which the snow of winter overtakes in the fields.”

 

In this together,

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