Feeling Overwhelmed to Start People-ing Again?

May 7, 2020

In British Columbia, Canada, we’re soon to have some of the Covid restrictions being lifted. In mid-May, we will be able to gather in small groups again.

If this is the first you are hearing of this new change to “restart BC” please read here to keep yourself informed about the upcoming changes.

How did you feel when you found out? (Or are finding out if this is the case….)

Happy?

Relieved?

Overwhelmed?

All of the above?

I was mainly in that last one, feeling overwhelmed hearing that news. And I know I’m not alone in this as a Highly Sensitive.

I really want to speak to this today, especially for any of you who felt anxious or even a bit panicky at this news of some of the local pandemic restrictions lifting. (Perhaps this can just be a precursor, a preparation for those that have yet to have the restrictions lifted in their area).

I’m going to share my experience with it as I feel quite called too.

First though, a little fact about Highly Sensitives. We often don’t do that well with sudden change (again this is a blanket statement that will not apply to everyone). We may just need a little more time to process the new information, the change, and find our best way to navigate.

We get used to things a certain way, we adapt, and go ok I’ve got this now. I’ve got a foundation under my feet and can predict and process things a little easier now.

And then schwing! There goes the rug out from under our feet. And that’s ok. The key is learning what to do about it for ourselves, for our own nervous system and our own spirit.

So yesterday, my husband came downstairs into our living room and told me that in Mid-May, we can start meeting in small groups of people again. There will be specific numbers of people we can meet with only, though we can finally get together with some family and friends now! (Again this is just in BC, Canada right now, please follow your own local health & safety recommendations!)

My first thought: “But I’m not ready yet.”

Even though I’m thrilled at the thought of being able to re-open my in-person Craniosacral practice again. (Stay tuned, I’ll let you know as more information comes through exactly when that will be :)

Even though I am so looking forward to going on woods-walks and having board games nights with our friends again.

Both these things, excitement and overwhelm, can co-exist.

My first body sensations though were a sense of inner contraction, of heart fluttering.

I’d already planned my next few weeks, few months even. It was all neatly and nicely mapped out in my brain. And I wasn’t expecting any of this to change until at least mid June at the earliest (don’t ask me why, that’s the magical timeline I’d picked and was mentally prepared for this change to come haha).

I’d been planning a big down-shift in life after quite a full few months here, and now my instant thought is that was all being taken away.

I felt off-center all the sudden.

“Ok Lisa,” I said (yes I totally talk to myself, you too?) “Let’s pause here.”

I took a few moments just to sit there with these anxious feelings swirling around.

I put my hands on my heart and my belly. I closed my eyes.

I went inwards.

I felt into my center.

I then connected with my Helping Spirits, asking for some guidance in this moment.

Ooooh right. I got the message pretty quickly. This has been such a good time of learning what I do want and do not want in my life and in my business….

Of de-cluttering my life.

And I can continue with that, even now as these restrictions lift a little.

I instantly felt calmer and even more connected to my inner power to make decisions to support me in life. To say no to extra commitments that don’t work for me.

This news also came at one of my sensitive times of the month and I felt it more acutely then I would’ve otherwise (remember we are all cyclical creatures to some extent, and the same things don’t affect us in the same way everyday.)

 

What I didn’t do:

• I didn’t push away my feelings. I let them be there (a learned skill, trust me)

• I didn’t automatically assume what I was feeling was “wrong” (again, a learned skill from learning about being Highly Sensitive)

• I didn’t fixate on the uncomfortable, anxious feelings…I just let them run their course within my window of tolerance.

 

What I did do:

• Got quiet.

• Connected with my resources and practices,

• Affirmed to myself it is ok and even good to feel this way, to honor exactly what is showing up.

Now I share this story because I know there will be others who have felt, or are feeling, this way.

Some other thoughts that may have come up for you and are also ok are:

“Oh but I’ve so been enjoying not having to make up excuses not to go to social gatherings.”

Or

“Ugggh now I have to go back to how things were and feeling overwhelmed all the time.”

Not so dear one. Being Highly Sensitive is not a life sentence to living in overwhelm. Will it happen?

Oh yeah.

Can a person learn to navigate the overwhelm and build a life to support their level of sensitivity so that they can thrive?

Oh yeah.

So, for those of you still reading, know that whatever you felt/are feeling is ok.

HSPs (and people in general!!) can have a hard time with sudden change. The plans we’ve remade for this time get to be remade yet again. Always changing, ever flowing with life.

I know many will have also felt relieved, over-joyed, happy, and excited at the thought to pick up some of where life left off in early spring before physical distancing was put in place. We are all wonderful unique beings, feeling our wonderful, unique selves.

So I encourage you to honor where you’re at right now. And to reach out for your resources and support when you want it (not just when you need it).

Well, that’s my story for you today. I share it in support. To help you know you’re not alone, especially if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed in any way by this new change of now being able to meet up with small groups of people as of May long weekend.

This is why I’m building this community of Highly Sensitives. When we know we aren’t alone, that we aren’t strange, and there’s nothing wrong with us, we can better thrive in life with the gifts we came here with.

Ok my friend, that’s all for now. If this struck a chord with you I’d love to hear, you can send me a message at lisa@combinationhealing.ca to let me know.

Enjoy this precious day,

Lisa