Category: COVID-19

Dear Highly Sensitive People, You Don’t Need To Change.

Arianna Smith3 Comments
If you aren’t familiar with the term “Highly Sensitive Person” or “HSP” it refers to about 15-20% of the population which possess a unique sensory processing trait which allows them to pick up more on subtleties in the environment, resulting in deeper processing and often being easily overwhelmed with stimuli. Most people exist on a spectrum of sensitivity. Take the self-test here.

Many Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) were told — either consciously or unconsciously — to “toughen up” to survive this world.

Unfortunately, you probably got this message when you were very, very young.  And it stayed with you.

You learn you had to camouflage and hide your sensitivity – and thus hide who you are at your core.

Here’s an alternative:

Continue reading “Dear Highly Sensitive People, You Don’t Need To Change.” →

Change is Like an Earthquake: A Therapist’s Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Arianna SmithLeave a comment

Growing up in Alaska, earthquakes were as common as a cloudy sky.

We learned how to do earthquake drills as soon as we entered grade school. A light flashes, siren blare, and the drill starts.

The protocol goes like this: Get under a desk, table, or chair. Cover your head and neck with your arms. No table? Get in a doorway. Brace yourself between two sturdy beams if you can’t find cover.  

Then, hold on. Just wait. Continue reading “Change is Like an Earthquake: A Therapist’s Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic” →