A new year is upon us, and for many that means making plans and thinking about "what we want to accomplish" during the next 12 months. I am not a big fan of formal "New Year's Resolutions" (they too often seem to lead to failure, followed by needless feeling bad about ourselves-- something we HSPs do NOT need!), but I do like the idea of thinking about "things I'd like to happen" during the new year.
However, when was the last time you paused to consider what in your life you need to LET GO of?
I am a big advocate of "simplicity," and believe that "keeping things simple" can be a major part of keeping an "even keel" in life, when you are a highly sensitive person. We tend to wrestle with managing our tendency to become overstimulated... and these feelings of overwhelm often arise because we just have too many things going on.
Part of the HSP trait is a tendency to be extremely conscientious-- which is definitely a positive characteristic. However, it becomes a bit of a problem when it translates into us becoming "loyal to a fault," as a result of which we stay involves in projects, or attached to people or ideas we should long since have walked away from. Unfortunately, it is a common thing for HSPs to "hang on" and "give one more chance" to things we'd be much better off not having in our lives.
So having plans to "add" something new (and hopefully improved!) to our lives is fine and laudable, however, we owe it to ourselves to pause and "take stock," and consider whether we need to remove-- or "let go of"-- something already in our lives that's not serving us, anymore. In other words, instead of just adding our new plans to the general mix of our lives, we have to "make room" for them, first!
It's not always an easy process to let go. Often we have strong attachments to our "involvements" and setting them free tends to feel like we are "failing," somehow. But we must consider that what we "cling to" sometimes is directly in the way of our own progress. And-- if the "letting go" impacts people-- we must find ways to accept that we "can't make everyone happy, all the time." Alas, sometimes the only way forward... is to leave something behind!
Talk Back! Do you make New Year's Resolutions? Are there things you would "like" to do or change, in 2013? Are there things in your life you realize you could "let go" of, and be happier? Is it difficult to let go of things or people or ideas, even if they don't help you or make your life better? Share your experience-- leave a comment!
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Hi, there, Peter, I've just come to your blog from your Om times article! I've known for a few years that I was different to all the other people in my life. A much older friend of mine who is not a HSP, has a sister who is and so told me that I'm extra sensitive. It wasn't until last year, when I had my spiritual awakening did I investigate and find that I'm a HSP! It was such a relief to know there was nothing wrong with me!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and write my own blog. Rather than resolutions, I've made intentions (which I've put on my blog.)
I'm currently working on letting go of the past and forgiveness, so this post is very apt for me.
I look forward to reading back over your blog, because I'm sure it will help me to understand more about myself.
Many thanks
Rachel
Peter: Thank you for your helpful and informative blog.
ReplyDeleteRachel: Intentions...I like that.