Deep feelers, deep processors

What goes on inside

Highly sensitive women are more likely to be deep feelers and deep processors. These are strengths!

In environments that are chronically overwhelming, these tendencies towards depth tend to adapt to meet the moment(s) ~ often the deep feelings become too much, so we learn to keep them in (cue anxiety), and the deep processing shifts towards relentless rumination, intellectualization and overthinking as a way to cope ~ to hover above the physical discomfort of anxiety and overwhelm.

None of this is bad, it is a way to survive chronic stress and frankly it’s often not conscious either (these adaptations start young!).

While we want to make these adaptations conscious, there is truly no rush to fix any of this (slow is the way to go). The relief begins when we gently begin to notice, without judgment, what’s arising for us in the moment (without interpreting it!), and when we allow ourselves slow down and tend to our bodies. It may be uncomfortable at first, which is why we need our “resources” (the cozy blanket, long walks, etc.) and a little faith in the process.