Living in a World of Color

The Quiet Land of Thuringia

peachesbyplums — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:03:15 -0500

images found here

Known as “The Quiet Land”, Thuringia, Germany is home to idealism and enlightenment. This small state rests on its contribution to literature, poetry and music while also remembering its dark past.

To follow in its 12th century footsteps Philip Hensher of Lonely Planet Magazine urges, “Go at dead of winter, when the trees are rimmed with frost and, hanging in the sky, the snow crystals turn the light an unearthly pink, and the only noise in the remote corners is of your boots crunching through the untouched snow on the forest paths. Walk up into the hills above Ilmenau, where Goethe walked, and relish the utter stillness.”

For my next traveling adventure I think I will bypass the crowds of London, Paris or Rome and head to Thuringia to find a deeper connection.

image found here It’s always a relief for me when the...

peachesbyplums — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:32:27 -0500

image found here

It’s always a relief for me when the holidays end. Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays but I finally feel that I can breath again. I think I’ve finally perfected how to survive the holidays as an HSP.

1.) It is a must to get your Christmas shopping done early.

This year I made a big effort to get all of my shopping done before Thanksgiving. I was able to avoid the pressure of last minute gift buying and the crowds of crazy shoppers.

2.) Set your boundaries.

When visiting family and friends you need to set boundaries from the beginning. Decide ahead of time when you are going to leave and your exit strategy. It is about knowing what your triggers are and not overextending yourself. If you are staying with family be sure to find a place you can retreat if you find that you need some down time to recharge your batteries.

3.) Don’t put pressure on yourself.

The perfect Christmas sounds pretty alluring but that is a lot of pressure for one person, especially an hsp. It is okay if the house isn’t clean 24/7 and decorated like the homes in house beautiful. Try your best and give yourself a break.

Now that the holidays are over, I am going to spend the next few days resting, relaxing and recharging.

The Highly Sensitive Person and Spirituality

peachesbyplums — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:04:09 -0500

The Highly Sensitive Person and Spirituality

The Mary Onettes “Explosions” ….and it can...

peachesbyplums — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:08:47 -0500

The Mary Onettes

“Explosions”

….and it can make your heart stop.

Are you a Sensitive Extravert?

peachesbyplums — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 07:41:00 -0400

Are you a Sensitive Extravert?

Around the World in 2000 Pictures Here’s an amazing video...

peachesbyplums — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:38:00 -0400

Around the World in 2000 Pictures

Here’s an amazing video that I recently found. It goes along with the “theme” of today!

Video created by Alex Profit found via Lost in Cheeseland

"On Wanderlust"

peachesbyplums — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:28:02 -0400

I recently wrote a post (on my other blog) about my love for travel and obsession to live abroad one day. It’s a great depiction of how my mind works when hooked “on wanderlust.” It got me thinking of how my love for adventure affects my life of a highly sensitive person. You would think these two worlds are at the complete opposite spectrum’s and what you least expect for an hsp. I’m not saying that us hsp’s are boring but if you are anything like me, you like to know where you stand, you hate surprises and need to feel in control of your surroundings. So why do I love the thrill of always wanting to live some place new and have this strong desire for change all the time?

At first I have to admit, my want to move constantly was a coping mechanism used to escape my problems. If I didn’t like a job, I would move to a new state. Looking back I think I was trying to escape that life that I set up. It was like putting on a pair of pants. If I didn’t like the way they fit off they went and on to the next one. Let’s face it, I hate confrontation. What a way to get rid of the problem without having to deal with the problem. Now that I’ve realized this, I can make a more conscious decision of what is at the root of the situation and fix that. Okay, well that’s sorted but I STILL have the desire to move.

I hate the idea of being stagnant and not growing and experiencing life. I want to take in as much as I possibly can before I die. This coming from an hsp, I know. We’ve lived in Boston for 3 years now and what I love most is just to be at home tucked away in my own little world. I’m not out there every day “experiencing” things but I guess when I think about it, when I do go out I make it meaningful and isn’t that what being a highly sensitive person is all about?

I’ve moved from Pennsylvania to San Francisco and then to Boston. Each move was incredibly difficult. Uprooting your whole life was hard. A new job, new environment, no friends or anything of comfort around. It’s way too much stimulus to take in. In our time in Boston it’s just now starting to feel like home. I don’t have many close friends and both of our families are many many miles away so sometimes I feel disjointed in the world. We’ve thought about moving closer to my family and there are advantages to that but then I start to worry if I will feel stuck and won’t get the “culture” that I crave.

As I talked about in my post, I’ve always wanted to move abroad. My husband is from Ireland so for me to live in Europe is not out of the question. He too is like me with our grand ideas (yet, he’s a little more grounded.) We’ve talked about moving to Belgium, Ireland, France, England, etc. Each time the idea gets planted in my head, I go crazy. I am thrilled with excitement and start researching “life” in these countries endlessly until my head pops off. Sure I might have a romanticized view of life in Europe, I’ll admit that. I did live in London briefly (on my own.) It was a great growing experience but I would’ve enjoyed it much more if I had someone to explore this new journey with.

When I “move myself around the world” I always end with crippling self doubt and I’m incredibly nervous. I seem to have overwhelmed myself again. It must be the hsp in me. All of this traveling in the States and possibility of traveling to Europe is life changing (good & bad.) As I said earlier, I love being in my home but what happens when “home” keeps changing. Is it just the thrill of the chase that I enjoy?

Sometimes I question if this is who I really am or if this is who I wish I was.

via gp2305 Peacefulness, thoughtfulness & calm.

peachesbyplums — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:36:58 -0400

via gp2305

Peacefulness, thoughtfulness & calm.

10 Survival Tips for the Highly Sensitive Person

peachesbyplums — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:17:30 -0400

10 Survival Tips for the Highly Sensitive Person

Why an HSP should never be a Wedding Planner.

peachesbyplums — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:59:40 -0400

4 years…that was the amount of time in the professional world that I was a wedding & event planner. I thought this career was it for me. Since I was 15 all I ever dreamed of was to be a wedding planner. I was creative, loved details and always had a plan. In college I got a bachelors degree in event planning then moved to San Francisco to start my career in events at a hotel. I had no intention to start in hotels but knew this was the only way for me to gain experience before any client would think I was credible. During my time at the hotel I would help local wedding planners and floral designers in my spare time. My dream was getting closer, I could feel it. After a year, I transferred to a hotel in Boston and became the wedding specialist. I was incredibly proud. Things were finally coming into place.

There I go again with my rose tinted glasses. We all do it, right? We think things are more glamorous then what they really are and have the tendency to only see the good and forget the bad.

Here is what my job really entailed:

-Monthly Sales Quota

-Meetings with Clients Daily

-Selling

-Networking Events

-Strategy Business Plans

-Negotiating

-Late Nights/Weekend Work

-Emotionally Driven Clients with Unrealistic Expectations

Let’s see which of those do I really enjoy…hmm, yes. Nothing. I’m not a driver, I hate competition, I’m not motivated by money, I hate small talk and I’m not a fan of confrontation. What did I enjoy about this job? I loved making people genuinely happy and seeing such a special day come to fruition (given that the bride was happy.)

As a highly sensitive person you know it’s unbearable to spend hours and hours in a job that doesn’t suit you. I needed a job that was more “me”. I finally decided to jump ship and start on a new career path.

When looking back I am extremely proud of my accomplishments. I’ve planned countless weddings in all flavors (Indian, Kosher, African, Mormon, Gay, Jewish, Greek, Christian, Catholic…the list goes on.) More importantly I stayed true to my dream and pursued it for over 10 years to see it come to fruition. Just before leaving the industry I became certified as a professional wedding planner. I can’t think of a better way to end this part of my life.

Although it has been a hard road I don’t regret it at all. I’ve learned so much about myself, about what I want and the direction I want to go. I just don’t think I’ll be planning another wedding anytime soon.

Sometimes it only takes a song to soothe your soul. Song:...

peachesbyplums — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:10:00 -0400

Sometimes it only takes a song to soothe your soul.

Song: Row

Artist: Jon Brion

Album: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

When 7:30pm becomes 7:00pm.

peachesbyplums — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:12:07 -0400

This past week I was invited to a dessert tasting for food bloggers. I was really looking forward to it. I felt that this would be a chance for me to step outside of my comfort zone and open up my world. Apparently I didn’t ask myself my five questions before I said yes.

The days leading up to the event I started feeling more and more anxious. “What did I get myself into,” I asked myself. I tried to brush it off, put on some lip stick and get in the car.

I made sure to leave an hour early because the one thing I hate the most is being late and not being prepared. I arrived in plenty of time (20 minutes early to be exact.) so I decided to drive around town until it was the appropriate time to arrive. Walking up the stairs I felt nervous and a rush of energy. This could be a really great experience or a nightmare.

I walked in and was greeted with the sweetest host. I took a deep breath and smiled. Maybe this was going to be okay. I walked into the room and around the table sat 6 women staring at me. The hosts states, “oh, we started at 7:00pm.” My heart dropped as low as it could go. “What?” I thought to myself. My invitation said 7:30pm. My worst nightmare came true. I started to sweat but tried to contain myself. I could get through this.

The girls continue with their conversation. I realize that they all know each other. I’m the odd man out. I plaster a fake smile on my face and try to fit in. Minutes into arriving I could tell the event was already wrapping up. “What a disaster,” I thought. How was I going to get out of here with my dignity?

I packed up my treats, said my pleasantries and thanked the host for the invitation. When I walked out the door, I felt an overwhelming sensation of freedom. No longer did I have to pretend everything was okay. I was myself again and boy did that feel good.

"The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” -Bill..."

peachesbyplums — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:24:57 -0400

“

The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.”

-Bill Murray in Lost in Translation

”

- via IMDb

Saying "Yes" to the invitation.

peachesbyplums — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:18:04 -0400

We all know what a loaded decision that is. Suddenly a long list of questions flood into our head before we even dare to RSVP, “Yes.”

Sure that beautiful clean crisp invitation is awfully tempting. What could go wrong? Maybe I’ve changed and things won’t bother me like they did at the last event. Maybe I’ll actually have fun. WRONG.

Here are the things I ask myself before checking “yes.”

1.) What type of an event is it? This is a big question and really sets the tone for the evening. Is it a small intimate gathering or is it a night out at a club where loads of people are coming.

2.) Who is going to be attending? Also an important question. I hate going to events where I don’t know anyone. I often feel out of place especially if everyone else knows each other. This is one of the worst possible situations for highly sensitive people. If I do know who is going I have to ask myself, do I like them? I don’t want to be stuck somewhere and waste my time if I don’t enjoy their company.

3.) What time is the event? I’m a morning person and prefer to be at home relaxing at night, especially if I have things to do the next day. If the event begins late, I may give it a miss in order to be kind to myself.

4.) How long is the event? I can do an hour, maybe two but if I feel constrained for more than that I simple can’t handle it. I have a short span where I can focus and be “on.” It’s always a good idea to have a plan going into it. Figure out how long you want to stay and have an exit strategy ready.

5.) Is this something I really am going to enjoy? There are times where I’ve convinced myself that it sounds like a good idea but when I add up the answers to the questions above, the story doesn’t lie.

There you have it, the five questions I ask myself before saying “yes” to the invitation.

"There is more to life than increasing its speed.” -Gandhi"

peachesbyplums — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:21:17 -0400

““There is more to life than increasing its speed.”
-Gandhi”

- via Enlighten Your Day

How I found out that I was a highly sensitive person.

peachesbyplums — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:42:00 -0400

I have a rich,complex inner life. - Check

I am deeply moved by the arts or music.- Check

I make it a high priority to arrange my life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations.- Check

I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens close by.- Check

I find myself needing to withdraw during busy days, into bed or into a darkened room or any place where I can have some privacy and relief from stimulation. - Double Check

“Wow”, I thought to myself after taking Elaine N. Aron’s Highly Sensitive Person Self Test. This really is me to a T.

It finally made sense why I always felt a little different from everyone else. I am a highly sensitive person. It was like a new world had opened up. I now had a group of people I could relate to, an answer to my questions and a “box” to check off (although as any HSP knows, we don’t like to be generalized since we are so special, right?)

To me it’s more like a 6th sense that only a small group of people share (1/5 of us to be more accurate). This 6th sense is really a gift. We have the unbelievable power to see deeper and are in tune with much more than the average person. Sadly “hsp” has had a negative connotation in today’s society. We are often thought of as weak and without drive but as you know, this is completely untrue. I hope to change this.

My intent of this blog is to share with you my journey as a highly sensitive person; the highs and the lows, dealing with family and friends that quite don’t understand what an hsp is and to educate the world that it’s more than just being introverted and shy.

If you have experience as a highly sensitive person I would love for you to share your stories with us. Please email me at livinginaworldofcolor@gmail.com.

Thanks for joining me as I live in a world of color.

Cheers!

Abby