Remember those reckless hopes and dreams you had as a kid?

The way you saw the world before you became aware of the expectations people and society had about these idealised versions of self and those barriers started to build around your own expectations for yourself?

Before people started saying ‘be realistic’ and you could dream as big as you wanted.

Over time these dreams probably faded. Life may have become a bit, sort of…well, ordinary. We accepted that we were not cut out for great things and that we would be better off in the background, or just pretending to be like everyone else.

One upon a time there was…..Every day….One day….Because of that….Because of that…And finally…

I have a screensaver on my computer that goes through some pearls of wisdom from the writers of Pixar movies. I’ve had them for a few years and they still never cease to inspire me when I’m stuck. I love this one in particularly because of its simplicity and reminder that it doesn’t take much to change the trajectory of life.

The Hero’s Story

We all love a good hero’s story. Most stories contain a heroic protagonist. The character who begins in a relatable, ordinary situation. Then are faced with that ‘one day’ upheaval that requires a big decision, to run away or do something they’ve never done before. The hero’s journey then leads them to face the challenge, albeit reluctantly, and end up doing something remarkable.

But…heroes get derailed. It’s what makes the story worth reading.

No one wants to read a book or watch a TV show or film about someone who just goes through life in a normal, comfortable way, settling for things that don’t quite live up to their potential.

You don’t want to read a story about Mr Perfect who gets what he wants with no effort, everyone loves him and he never has any problems. It’s unrealistic and it’s un-relatable.

You want someone who has to really fight for what they believe in, or what they want to see happen, or to get something remarkable.

The Gentle Rebel Journey

These ideas are applicable to the gentle rebel journey, especially when we consider the introvert/HSP response to the extrovert-centric world.

I believe that HSPs and introverts can truly be heroes in the story they write for themselves.They can be the protagonists of remarkable stories of gentle rebellion, stepping out from this normalised way of being introverts; of shadow dwelling or fitting in and becoming accessible introverts. They can find another path. One less travelled, and to craft their own way of gentle rebellion.

The world can be changed from the inside out. As introverts and HSPs embrace their gentle rebellion and strengthen their spirit within as they respond to the expectations of society that feel alien and isolating, they create a potential shift in the external world.

We can develop confidence and self-acceptance that will help us question those priorities and values that feel alien. Not to force our own priorities and values on others, nor to try and fit in, but rather to model a different way of being for others who need that encouragement and assurance.

We’re not on the outside of the world, and we’re not trying to fit in. We simply are what we are, consistently growing more into who we are and how we want the world to be. That’s what it means to be a gentle rebel, and we can choose to write that story now.

The Dangers of the Gentle Rebel Journey

As I mentioned in the last episode there are three real dangers for introverts and HSPs to guard against when it comes to living the gentle rebel way.

Overwhelm and burnout. Emotional and informational fatigue. Social isolation.

These are potential risks when we don’t establish boundaries and expectatio...