The pleasure, pain and growth of human connection.

Dear Introvert, Your Inner World Is Not All That : Boosting Self-Esteem in the Outer World

By |2017-02-23T14:58:47-06:00June 10th, 2016|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Coaching, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

This spring I've been focused on working on the outside of my house. There are maintenance issues inside as well, but the big projects are happening outside. I had the deck re-stained. I'm having the shake re-painted and we're cleaning up the landscaping. This outside works runs parallel with my new views on living and loving. I [...]

Sensitive Introverts Need Space AND Responsiveness

By |2017-01-26T08:06:56-06:00May 27th, 2016|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I've been thinking about space lately. Now that my man is gone, there is more space in my life. Sometimes that feels energizing and free. Other times it feels empty and heavy. It so happens that this week my children are spending extra time with their dad. I miss them. My home has too much space [...]

Do Sensitive People Need Extra Kind and Positive Relationships?

By |2020-02-02T13:50:49-06:00May 20th, 2016|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Intuitive Living, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Over the last few weeks I've been paying attention to how I feel. I've noticed where and with whom I'm at ease, fully myself and content. As much as I miss the companionship of my man, I've noticed an upbeat change in me since we broke up. I think it's the ability to fully be myself again. I'm [...]

Introversion Isn’t Something to Fix

By |2017-08-20T15:21:17-05:00May 13th, 2016|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Coaching, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

I've come up against some bad old conceptions of introversion recently. I thought we had done a good job spreading awareness about what it really means to be an introvert and why our nature is valuable, but the misconceptions still remain. Jenn Granneman of Introvert, Dear ran into someone at a blogger's workshop who, once they found [...]

Introvert Returns to Herself : The Beauty of Relating and Feeling Known

By |2016-10-20T18:24:39-05:00May 6th, 2016|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Intuitive Living, Personal Coaching, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

In my week of self-nurturing and post-mortem relationship analysis, I figured out I'd strayed from my genuine self in the last year. One observation that surfaced right away was that I hadn't bought or been lost in music for over a year. Like a drowning woman seeking air above the waves, over the last week, I sought music, musicians, stories [...]

Sensitive Introvert Alone Again: Turning the Light Inward for Now

By |2016-04-29T20:07:35-05:00April 29th, 2016|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Intuitive Living, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , |

I'm not sure where to begin this week's post. I'm in a low place. The relationship with my man ended last week. I'm sad over the breakup. My children are sad over the breakup. I'm sad I hurt him. The weather has been dark, rainy and dreary for days. Prince died (and I live in Minneapolis). My heart [...]

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Your site has saved my sanity and my life. Maybe even my marriage. I work part time and have two young boys at home, my husband is supportive of me but until recently I thought I was going crazy. … Reading your writing not only inspires me to pick up the pen again, but gives me nourishment in the deepest places. I will fight for balance. Everything you write is spot on… And wellness is so incredibly multifaceted.  I was ready to give up hope, but understanding myself through your words is bring… Read more
J.K.
THANK YOU….. you just summed up my swirling thoughts into something i can read with out everything else in my head meshing with it. I finally feel like i can explain what happens within without getting distracted. I’m an Introvert with ADD and it makes it so hard to explain quite what im feeling sometimes. — M.G. on space2live
M.G.

“I was struggling with my daughter (16 at the time) and our constant fighting. You said something to me that changed my life! You were speaking about your own situation and you said to me “my child could not handle my emotions”. This was a HUGE “lightbulb moment” for me and it forever changed the way I dealt with my emotions when I was around my daughter!

I am happy to say that things have never been better between my soon to be 18 year old daughter and myself! I honestly never thought we would… Read more

Mom M
This is me. This is me from the day I was born. For so long I felt misunderstood and rejected, even by the people closest to me, because they could never understand my need for solitude, and I had no idea how to explain it to them. Even now that I know more about Introversion and have a more informed understanding of my hard-wired need for solitude, it’s still very difficult sometimes to help my loved ones understand this profound craving for time and space all to myself. This is one of the best… Read more
Sharon
Your words are my lifeline.  I sit down to your posts and as I read I can feel my acceptance of myself and my needs grow.  Your words validate my feelings about my life, motherhood, relationships and it is something I hold onto.  And during the times when I feel like I am not able to be a mother or a wife or a sister or a friend or whatever someone needs me to be, I go back to your words and find some peace…I send your posts to my husband when I need him to understand that I love him but I need … Read more
D.R.
Brenda has truly opened up a space for introverted types on the ‘net, and her self-revelations are always inspiring. Her voice is one I always look forward to. She is one of the writers that actually played a part in my return to writing.  — S.E. of Sunflower Solace Farms
S.E. of Sunflower Solace Farms
During one of the harder times in my life I found Brenda’s website
and reached out to her. To say the least it has been one of the best
decisions I have made. Being an extrovert I never quite understood
what it meant to romantically involved with an introvert. Brenda does
an incredible job listening, giving in the moment feedback, and helped
me understand the how an introvert functions. She helped explain to me
that I am introspective extrovert, and this gave something to identify
with and allowed me t… Read more
Evan H.
Because of your blog, I know that it is possible for me to have the love that I want one day and that I don’t have to be alone.  — Indepthwoman  on space2live
Indepthwoman
Thank you for all the words. You’ve created the magic drug I’ve been looking for all my life. Your blog has transformed my life, and I feel like I am on the brink of a most satisfying fulfilling journey…You’ve made me see everything in a new light. I now feel calmer, able to care better for my toddler, less hateful of people around, and hopeful for my future. I am not so afraid for our marriage anymore. — Shilpa CB
Shilpa CB
You’re so honest in your writing. It’s bold. It’s frank. It’s wonderful. I could definitely see the work you are doing here as a useful book. It could save/make a lot of relationships! — Jimmi Langemo
Jimmi Langemo

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