Am I Really an Introvert? Balancing Nature with Nurture and Finding Contentment

By |2017-04-02T19:46:05-05:00March 31st, 2017|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

I've questioned my introvert status for the last year. I've done a lot of research on attachment styles and their influence on our behavior and emotions lately. It was starting to look like my need for space and solitude was more a result of my early relationships with my parents and my later relationships with partners. A month [...]

Are You a Warrior or an Advisor? Seeking Glory for the Behind the Scenes Introvert

By |2015-09-22T16:05:59-05:00May 1st, 2015|Categories: Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Evolution, Relationships, Spacious Artists|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Sometimes I cannot believe how lucky I am. The other day I was invited to a private tour of the Habsburg exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. One of the museum's esteemed curators, Eike Schmidt, PhD, led our small group of seven through the elegant galleries containing exquisite sculptures, paintings,weapons, artifacts, armor, carriages, etc., all [...]

Are Introverts More At Home in Small Communities?

By |2015-09-22T16:06:04-05:00November 7th, 2014|Categories: Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I have convinced my children that I grew up in an unusually kind place with an ideal school system. They believe I came of age in a charmed atmosphere of friendship and supportive learning. In my opinion, I did. My hometown, Alma, is a small community of 9000 people in central Michigan. We had one high school with about 1000 [...]

When Introverts Get Loud: Where Are You Using Your Voice?

By |2015-09-22T16:06:05-05:00September 26th, 2014|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

via Rebelle Society Have you ever made a remark within a group and basically been ignored and then moments later someone else says the same thing, only louder, and gets a round of cheers and a heap of credit? Isn't that frustrating? When this happens to me I kick myself for not believing in my idea [...]

Working Through Conflict with Passion and Compassion

By |2015-09-22T16:07:07-05:00October 12th, 2012|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Personal Evolution, Processing Divorce, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , |

I avoid conflict.  Frequent challenges to my beliefs, words or actions wear me down and suck away priceless energy.  Despite that confession, I am in the middle of training to become a Family Mediator (primarily a Divorce Mediator). A strange choice for someone who avoids conflict, right? Oddly enough other people’s contention doesn’t bother me as [...]

Introverts Do It Passionately and Creatively: How It’s Possible to Love Solitude and Be Popular

By |2017-05-05T17:58:09-05:00April 27th, 2012|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Evolution, Relationships, Spacious Artists|Tags: , , , , , , |

"Susan Cain is a closet extrovert."  — Unknown So read the juvenile and snarky comment on introvert author and champion, Susan Cain's blog. Susan's heavy presence in the media (TED Talks, NPR, morning shows) during her book promotion (Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking) made it seem like she thrived in [...]

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For the first time in my life I could truly explain, through your words the way in which I experience life and myself. Brenda… It all fell into place. I had found myself and had such a moment of clarity. It felt like such a big weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Finally I felt like it was ok to be me. I was not the only one. I had found people and a little space where I fit in. … I was at work and crying on the inside. Emotions ran wild inside me. I was ecstatic, sad, confused, motivated, i… Read more
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“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!

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