I resonate with this so much! Six years ago I looked super healthy on the outside- working out six days a week, eating well, and even running a business helping other women get in a “good routine”. Meanwhile I was dying inside from a series of unexplained autoimmune issues and severe depression. Behind all my motives for being “fit” was a deep-rooted belief that I was a constant self-improvement project- always falling short.
Um… this is not actually healthy! 😂
At the time I felt like I was being forced to take a step back- my body physically couldn’t take it anymore. But it’s been such a blessing to have the opportunity to cultivate my inner world and learn to listen to my body and nurture it instead of “fixing” it.
This was a beautiful read. Thank you for sharing your story. 💗
Nice to meet you, Lauren, it seems like we have so much in common! Thank you for your heartfelt comment.
What you described, looking healthy on the outside while feeling like you’re falling apart inside, was exactly my story too. I also lived as a constant self-improvement project.
Our sensitive bodies have such a powerful way of saying enough when we push too hard for too long.
I love how you turned that moment into an opportunity to nurture your inner world instead of trying to fix yourself. That shift truly is life-changing, isn’t it?
Since sport was such a big part of your life, I’m curious. What does movement look like for you now? I’ve had a complicated relationship with it since stepping away from my old “super-fit” days, and for a while, I stopped moving completely.
I’m so glad this piece resonated with you. It really sounds like our paths have moved in a very similar direction. 💗
I really enjoy the way you framed this reflection—and how you threaded the needle on both “at the time” and looking back. Reading this reminds me that I had similar experiences.
It makes me curious if we (as highly sensitives) finally get a space that allows that and then let’s us breathe ourselves back into life (when for so long we’ve been constrained). This assumes we didn’t have that space from the jump.
It’s also made me better at listening to my body when I first meet a practioner or healer. It’s also made me take that extra step to meet then first without the expectation of care. And even if see their response around high sensnitivity, it’s fascinating stuff. Love your writing ✍️
Oh Sara, this means a lot, truly. I am thankful for the resonance you feel, because really, I wrote it for people like us. 💕
I love what you wrote about finally being given a space where we can “breathe ourselves back into life.”That’s exactly how it felt for me, like my body could finally exist without defending itself.
I also really like your point about meeting practitioners first without expectation. It’s such a wise approach, especially for us highly sensitive ones. We can sense immediately whether the space is safe enough for our system to relax.
And yes, I’ve been thinking a lot about what happens when we do have that kind of space from the start. How much energy could go into creativity and purpose instead of survival!
Have you been lucky enough to meet practitioners who made you feel safe and seen, even as highly sensitive?
I resonate with this so much! Six years ago I looked super healthy on the outside- working out six days a week, eating well, and even running a business helping other women get in a “good routine”. Meanwhile I was dying inside from a series of unexplained autoimmune issues and severe depression. Behind all my motives for being “fit” was a deep-rooted belief that I was a constant self-improvement project- always falling short.
Um… this is not actually healthy! 😂
At the time I felt like I was being forced to take a step back- my body physically couldn’t take it anymore. But it’s been such a blessing to have the opportunity to cultivate my inner world and learn to listen to my body and nurture it instead of “fixing” it.
This was a beautiful read. Thank you for sharing your story. 💗
Nice to meet you, Lauren, it seems like we have so much in common! Thank you for your heartfelt comment.
What you described, looking healthy on the outside while feeling like you’re falling apart inside, was exactly my story too. I also lived as a constant self-improvement project.
Our sensitive bodies have such a powerful way of saying enough when we push too hard for too long.
I love how you turned that moment into an opportunity to nurture your inner world instead of trying to fix yourself. That shift truly is life-changing, isn’t it?
Since sport was such a big part of your life, I’m curious. What does movement look like for you now? I’ve had a complicated relationship with it since stepping away from my old “super-fit” days, and for a while, I stopped moving completely.
I’m so glad this piece resonated with you. It really sounds like our paths have moved in a very similar direction. 💗
I really enjoy the way you framed this reflection—and how you threaded the needle on both “at the time” and looking back. Reading this reminds me that I had similar experiences.
It makes me curious if we (as highly sensitives) finally get a space that allows that and then let’s us breathe ourselves back into life (when for so long we’ve been constrained). This assumes we didn’t have that space from the jump.
It’s also made me better at listening to my body when I first meet a practioner or healer. It’s also made me take that extra step to meet then first without the expectation of care. And even if see their response around high sensnitivity, it’s fascinating stuff. Love your writing ✍️
Oh Sara, this means a lot, truly. I am thankful for the resonance you feel, because really, I wrote it for people like us. 💕
I love what you wrote about finally being given a space where we can “breathe ourselves back into life.”That’s exactly how it felt for me, like my body could finally exist without defending itself.
I also really like your point about meeting practitioners first without expectation. It’s such a wise approach, especially for us highly sensitive ones. We can sense immediately whether the space is safe enough for our system to relax.
And yes, I’ve been thinking a lot about what happens when we do have that kind of space from the start. How much energy could go into creativity and purpose instead of survival!
Have you been lucky enough to meet practitioners who made you feel safe and seen, even as highly sensitive?
Oh Emaline, thank you. That means a lot coming from you. I’m happy it spoke to you.