This book explains what it means to be a highly sensitive person, why it is so often misunderstood, and the many reasons why you should love your highly sensitive self. In today's fast-paced, increasingly public society, we are expected to be strong, to have the energy to manage a packed work schedule, social calendar, a large network of friends, both online and offline, and to party all night.
This book is for those who feel flawed in their attempts to keep up with such an ideal. Written for highly sensitive people and other delicate souls, this book explains the characteristics of being highly sensitive and how to overcome common difficulties, such as low self-esteem and socialising. Ilse Sand also encourages you to explore and appreciate the advantages of high sensitivity, including your aptitude for depth, intensity and presence, and suggests activities to calm and inspire.
Preface. Introduction. 1. The characteristics of being highly sensitive. 2. High standards and low self-esteem. 3. How to organise your life according to your type. 4. How to benefit from you aptitude for relating to others and being present. 5. To face anger; your own and other's. 6. Guilt and shame. 7. Situations in life. 8. Mental health problems. 9. Developing and growing. 10. Researching the highly sensitive trait. 11. Epilogue - A gift for the highly sensitive. 12. List of ideas. 13. Test yourself - how sensitive are you?. 14. Literature. Acknowledgements.
'This book will be a go-to resource that I will be recommending to all the HSPs I work with; whether they are just discovering what it means or if they've been aware for a while. It provides a perfect balance of inspiration, research, and encouragement for those of us wanting to better understand our trait so that we can be more effective and positively impactful in our own lives and the lives of those around us.'
- Andy Mort, Songwriter and founder of SheepDressedLikeWolves.com, a website dedicated to inspiring and encouraging creative introverts and HSPs
'A book written for HSPs addressing the various facts, joys and challenges of an innate trait. Particularly useful for sensitive people whose anxiety has made it difficult to fully be present in the world or who are struggling to overcome historical obstacles and reach their potential.'
- Barbara Allen-Williams, Founder, National Centre for High Sensitivity UK (www.hspsensitive.com)
'Mental health trainer Sand has developed a number of psychotherapeutic approaches to mental health in Denmark and now turns her attention to the introverted "delicate soul." Her research finds that highly sensitive people often feel overstimulated, have a rich inner life, are easily affected by the moods of others, and are so conscientious that they tend to feel responsible for the actions of those around them. Sand not only helps these individuals deal with the guilt and anger they often feel but also encourages them to appreciate the gifts (e.g., aptitude of depth, intensity, and presence) that they bring to social interaction. VERDICT This work offers affirmation and support for those with acutely impressionable personalities.'
