Part of the High Sensitivity Trait may include perfectionism. Passion for having 100% right. Whether it is about hitting the right key when singing or a spotless mirror or the most efficient and comprehensive business report. We tend to insist on quality, and risk sabotaging ourselves by our Stickler-self… that part of us that insists things are done in one certain, specific way. It is SO annoying! Not only for the rest (duh), but for me as well. 

I came across a very powerful question and insight today: ARE YOU YOUR INNER ALLY OR YOUR INNER ENEMY? Are you as compassionate with yourself as you would be with someone you are fond of and comes looking for you support when feeling a failure? Or are you not? How harsh are you being on yourself?

Did you know there are scientific benefits to being self-compassionate? Also, that success and getting more things done is not necessarily due to pushing hard and self-criticism? The latter actually activates our sympathetic nervous system, and stress hormones are elevated. Not so nice…

Because of all of the above, I am now a huge fan of the dropping the ball idea: A wonderful resource for possibly overwhelmed Highly Sensitive People, as a means of self compassion. Knowing that choosing NOT to do something does not diminish achievements, because the benefits of recognising how far we can stretch our agenda/body/energy/money are healthy mindfulness and self-awareness that translates into self-compassion, highly correlated with well-being.

I invite us to end the Year with this practice. May you all have peace.