I loved reading this. I find nature and quiet visually soothing, and that calms my nervous system. I feel closest to God when sitting beside water--whether that's a river, lake or stream or the ocean. I love to hear the wind moving leaves or the sound of water across river rocks, or the sound of the surf. Loud music or high pitched things really agitate me. I treasure quiet, calm places and love planting a garden, quietly sitting with my dog or someone I love, and I love really smooth stones or clean fresh sheets. Silk fabric feels wonderful to me. I have multiple sclerosis so sensation is altered, and the central nervous system is affected. Visual processing is difficult, and I have a torn retina that I'm dealing with. The senses are important in helping us balance and not fall. Proprioception difficulties or vision being compromised leaves me at greater risk of falls. Great reminders and thoughts here...thank you.
Susan, Thank you! I loved reading your description of your relationship with nature, which I found beautifully phrased and soothing. I'm sorry you're dealing with physical challenges. A torn retina is quite a big thing to deal with. I hope you heal well and swiftly. Thanks for educating us about the changes in sensation that come about with MS.
Thank you, Sandra. I think about sensory things often, so your article felt comforting to me to read. I appreciate you understanding that the torn retina has been a lot to deal with, and your validation is helpful. Thanks for your kindness. I grew up on a farm, and always found so much solace in looking out across our land, watching the crops moving with the breeze. I am grateful that although my husband and I live in town, I have a peaceful garden and neighborhood with beauty to enjoy. Thanks for writing and encouraging us!
This is really helpful, Sandra! I've recently discovered I'm highly sensitive, but also high sensation seeking, which feels contradictory. I'm curious to explore the sensory needs quiz to dive deeper.
Kaitlyn, I'm glad you found it helpful! We can be sensory avoidant in one sense faculty and sensory seeking in another so it may not be contradictory. I'm curious too see what you discover in the quiz. I would love for you to write about it on your Substack if that resonates for you.
This is so interesting Sandra, I have the same first two sensory needs as you and the more I have consciously developed the more loud noises and places bother me. I love the idea of understanding your unique profile.
Lousie, I'm so glad you found this information interesting. Have you explored the other senses and how you relate to them? I find that conscious people are often sensory sensitive so it's interesting that you have become more sensitive. Thanks for your reply!
this is a great introduction to this. I am an HSP and I didn’t discover that till I was after 50 now I take care of myself by doing things like not going shopping when there’s a lot of people -don’t do crowds at all. Concerts are overwhelming unless they are very small venues, I have slowly learned to do things this way.. This is so important for people to know I will be sharing this with some friends of mine. Thank you again.
Peggy, Thank you! I agree, this is so important for people to know. It can completely change our life in a positive way. Thanks for sharing your story and how you take care of your sensory needs. I think it's also interesting to know that some people need more sensory stimulation. Our needs aren't right or wrong, but they can be very different. All the best to you and thanks for sharing my post with others.
I loved reading this. I find nature and quiet visually soothing, and that calms my nervous system. I feel closest to God when sitting beside water--whether that's a river, lake or stream or the ocean. I love to hear the wind moving leaves or the sound of water across river rocks, or the sound of the surf. Loud music or high pitched things really agitate me. I treasure quiet, calm places and love planting a garden, quietly sitting with my dog or someone I love, and I love really smooth stones or clean fresh sheets. Silk fabric feels wonderful to me. I have multiple sclerosis so sensation is altered, and the central nervous system is affected. Visual processing is difficult, and I have a torn retina that I'm dealing with. The senses are important in helping us balance and not fall. Proprioception difficulties or vision being compromised leaves me at greater risk of falls. Great reminders and thoughts here...thank you.
Susan, Thank you! I loved reading your description of your relationship with nature, which I found beautifully phrased and soothing. I'm sorry you're dealing with physical challenges. A torn retina is quite a big thing to deal with. I hope you heal well and swiftly. Thanks for educating us about the changes in sensation that come about with MS.
Thank you, Sandra. I think about sensory things often, so your article felt comforting to me to read. I appreciate you understanding that the torn retina has been a lot to deal with, and your validation is helpful. Thanks for your kindness. I grew up on a farm, and always found so much solace in looking out across our land, watching the crops moving with the breeze. I am grateful that although my husband and I live in town, I have a peaceful garden and neighborhood with beauty to enjoy. Thanks for writing and encouraging us!
This is really helpful, Sandra! I've recently discovered I'm highly sensitive, but also high sensation seeking, which feels contradictory. I'm curious to explore the sensory needs quiz to dive deeper.
Kaitlyn, I'm glad you found it helpful! We can be sensory avoidant in one sense faculty and sensory seeking in another so it may not be contradictory. I'm curious too see what you discover in the quiz. I would love for you to write about it on your Substack if that resonates for you.
I will definitely keep you posted! This is fascinating stuff.
This is so interesting Sandra, I have the same first two sensory needs as you and the more I have consciously developed the more loud noises and places bother me. I love the idea of understanding your unique profile.
Lousie, I'm so glad you found this information interesting. Have you explored the other senses and how you relate to them? I find that conscious people are often sensory sensitive so it's interesting that you have become more sensitive. Thanks for your reply!
I haven't Sandra but I'm going to do the questionnaire, so thank you very much for bringing it to my awareness.
Terrific!
wow : ))) this makes so much sense....
you mentioned wanting a rocking chair..so did I..
I went with the glider instead : ))) so much easier & enjoyable
Awesome! I didn't know about gliders. I'll check them out! Thanks, Brenda.
this is a great introduction to this. I am an HSP and I didn’t discover that till I was after 50 now I take care of myself by doing things like not going shopping when there’s a lot of people -don’t do crowds at all. Concerts are overwhelming unless they are very small venues, I have slowly learned to do things this way.. This is so important for people to know I will be sharing this with some friends of mine. Thank you again.
Peggy, Thank you! I agree, this is so important for people to know. It can completely change our life in a positive way. Thanks for sharing your story and how you take care of your sensory needs. I think it's also interesting to know that some people need more sensory stimulation. Our needs aren't right or wrong, but they can be very different. All the best to you and thanks for sharing my post with others.
Cathy, So glad it resonated! Thanks for letting me know!