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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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 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.
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
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
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
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 depth of understanding, and talent at sharing it amaze me. Speechless… and for your sharing of it.. Thank you… deeply. *sigh, its like coming back into my body through acceptance….. Sherrie on space2live
Sherrie
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

“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

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