What Happens When Others Need Us Too Much? : The Shadow Side of Sensitives and Idealists

By |2015-09-22T16:06:05-05:00October 10th, 2014|Categories: Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

  With their talent for identifying with the other person, for slipping into another's skin, Idealists find that building close, loving relationships is the most natural thing in the world… And yet such emotional sensitivity (some would say hypersensitivity) can take its toll, and Idealists have been known to  become upset when these affective ties begin [...]

Ever Get Tired of Validating Your Introversion?

By |2015-09-22T16:06:06-05:00September 19th, 2014|Categories: Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

My 14-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter join me in my home office. Their respective buses have just dropped them off after school and now they are sitting in the worn comfy chair and lounging on the scrumptious shag carpet in the private room where I write. With trepidation and excitement I tell Bryce that I am [...]

Sensitive and Introverted Does Not Mean Irrational and Weak: Valuing the Input of the Compassionate and Contemplative

By |2017-12-01T15:55:32-06:00August 22nd, 2014|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , |

We are locking horns again over the way he treats others. His tone demands I argue with him in succinct direct points, show the logic in my beliefs. If I don't or can't, he is superior. But I've been on the ropes for too long. I've spent too much time with the group lately, so many people needing me. I'm strung [...]

Sensation Seeking Badass: The Sexy Side of Being a Sensitive Introvert

By |2018-06-10T14:43:24-05:00August 1st, 2014|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Evolution, Sensuality, Spacious Artists|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

I'm reading Anthony Bourdain's book, Kitchen Confidential, and finding myself within the pages. For those of you who don't know anything about Bourdain, he is a traveling TV star, author and chef who describes his young self as a thrill-seeking pleasure hungry sensualist. He rose to international recognition as the author of the book (Kitchen Confidential) that exposed the [...]

Introvert Stops Searching for "The One" and Gets a Life: Being Your Own Amazing Soulmate

By |2016-01-06T09:43:42-06:00July 18th, 2014|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

  What would you do if you knew you were going to be alone for the rest of your life? This is the question Waylon Lewis, founder of elephant journal, posed to his readers. He answered it with something to the effect of (I can't find the darn article, sorry), You would create an amazing career, read [...]

You Don't Have a Bubbly Personality? You're not a High Energy Mom? You're Still Worth Knowing

By |2015-09-22T16:06:09-05:00July 11th, 2014|Categories: Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , |

Yeah, this is never going to be me. I've never been the girl who laughs openly and raucously. I don't talk loudly so the whole crowd can hear or have any delusions about being the life of the party. I can't fake enthusiasm. I'm not known for doling out exuberant praise. I don't take up a lot [...]

Stay connected

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts.

Testimonials

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
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
That courage and dedication you so generously share with the world, has inspired me to push myself a little harder, persevere at each task a little longer, dig a little bit deeper to where the answers just “feel” right to both my humanity AND my spirit. Your insights have reinforced my direction and given me additional tools that help me clear my path. I’m wired into my creativity as never before and the new music is pouring out of me faster than I can record and produce it; this is the Un… Read more
Gary
BRENDA: thank you SO much! Your advice is exactly what I need to do. I am amazed how much you “get” me after only exchanging a few messages!… Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve helped me more than a year of therapy sessions! – Megan on space2live
Megan
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
I think I want to print out your articles and hand them out as a sort of relationship waiver form. “You want to be my friend?….You are interesting in going out? Here read this first. Sign here to acknowledge that you have read and understand the enclosed material. Thank you.” Seriously. I think it would work. — Guerin Moorman
Guerin Moorman
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.
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.

“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
I have been dating an introverted man who I am very in love with for almost 2 years.  Reading your posts have helped me to be more supportive and understanding to him especially during the times when he needs space.  I just wanted to thank you for your weekly posts and let you know how helpful they are for someone who is in a relationship with an introvert. C.M. on space2live
C.M.

Join us on Facebook

Go to Top