There is a cultural expectation that women are more emotional and sensitive than men and that men should be tough and stoic. This expectation could clash with the traits of being an HSP, for men.

For this show, I asked several highly sensitive men for their stories and opinions. Even though I intended this to be about males, much of information can apply to all HSPs.

In this Part 1, I talk about the challenges of being a male HSP. In Part 2, next week, I’ll talk about how to deal with those challenges as well as the positives of being a male HSP.

Check out my book on Amazon: A Highly Sensitive Person's Life: stories & tips for those who experience the world intensely.

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Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

What if we HSPs could fully allow and embrace our strongest emotions--our reactions to beauty in nature in art? What if we didn't have to hold back at all?

(And yes, the title of this episode is meant to be tongue-in-cheek.)

Related posts on my blog, highlysensitiveperson.net:

• Perfection in Nature: Let’s Talk about “Beauty Threshold”
• Overwhelmed by Beauty
• Weather Affects My Mood
• HSP Podcast #12: Beauty in Nature & Art

My book is available on Amazon: A Highly Sensitive Person's Life: stories & tips for those who experience the world intensely.

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Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

An introvert/extrovert and HSP/non-HSP might take a look at the same vacation itinerary and have completely different reactions. An action-packed, busy vacation in a chaotic big city might seem thrilling to a non-HSP. Whereas an HSP might enjoy quieter, more peaceful activities with time for reflection. When your partner desires the opposite of what you desire, it can be challenging to agree on a vacation spot.

In this episode, I talk about what qualities I most enjoy in a vacation destination and how you can agree on a place to spend time off with your non-HSP loved one.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney Psy.D.

Related posts on my blog:

• How to travel the world long-term when you are highly sensitive
• HSP travel survival kit
• HSP Podcast #28: Travel Tips

My book is available on Amazon: A Highly Sensitive Person's Life: stories & tips for those who experience the world intensely.

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Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

I'm often surprised that I am so easily distracted when I work. Isn't that a symptom of being weak-minded? sad face. If you find yourself easily distracted (especially when working at home), please know that you aren't the only one. Lots of us share the same struggle. The key is to acknowledge, accept, and adjust. There are loads of productivity tools out there that can help you get in the zone. In this episode, I talk about what distracts me and how I try to fight it and stay on track. Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Time Management, Work and the Highly Sensitive Person by Peter Messerschmidt
• The Pomodoro technique (and the online tomato timer)
• White noise and ambient noise
• Block social media with apps like Cold Turkey

Related posts on my blog:

• Why am I so easily distracted at work?
• Here’s the best job for a highly sensitive person
• HSP Podcast #15: Needing Control
• HSP Podcast #06: The Importance of Caring Less at Your Job
• Headphones are the New Wall: Everyone Hates Open Office Plans
• The right to silence trumps the right to noise

My new book is available on Amazon: A Highly Sensitive Person's Life: stories & tips for those who experience the world intensely.

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Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

One of the reasons being a Highly Sensitive Person is tough because a lot of people don't believe that HSP is a legitimate thing.

This episode 39 is about dealing with those haters. It's a little heavy on the sarcasm and ranty-ness, so fair warning.

My new book is out on Amazon: A Highly Sensitive Person's Life: stories & tips for those who experience the world intensely.

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Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

This episode 38 is about handling criticism. I talk about three little tactics I use to help deal with negative feedback in my life. (Last week I talked about self-criticism, how HSPs often criticize themselves in order to avoid the trauma of criticism from others.)

My new book is out on Amazon: A Highly Sensitive Person's Life: stories & tips for those who experience the world intensely.

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HSPs often criticize themselves in order to avoid the trauma of criticism from others. Next week, I'll talk about how to handle criticism.

Big Announcement: My new book is out on Amazon: A Highly Sensitive Person's Life: stories & tips for those who experience the world intensely.

Resources mentioned in this episode: The awesome blog post I mention about criticism from Dr. Elaine Aron

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Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Today's episode was inspired by this bit of Dr. Elaine Aron's writing: “All HSPs are creative, by definition. Many have squashed their creativity because of their low self-esteem; many more had it squashed for them, before they could ever know about it.” This quote really spoke to me. Maybe this episode will serve as a reminder to introduce a little more creativity in your life (if you need it).

Related posts on the highlysensitiveperson.net blog: Creativity & You & Me

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The blog post I mention about creativity from Dr. Elaine Aron
• Douglas Eby's book Highly Sensitive & Creative

My first book is coming out soon! Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter to find out when it goes live on Amazon.

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Have you ever been told:

• “Learn to take a joke."
• "Why are you so serious?"
• "Lighten up."

In this episode, I explain which jokes I find offensive and how sensitive people think it's more important to not hurt people than to be funny.

Related posts on my blog: Some jokes aren't funny

The mean jokes/pranks mentioned in this episode:

• Article about Daniel Tosh's rape joke
• The Saturday Night Live ISIS skit
• The "dropping baby from the balcony" prank
• The student driver prank

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Are there specific smells and odors that you just cannot stand? And which smells are so wonderful they leave you in a state of bliss? Do you smell things that other people don't?

In this episode, I talk about HSPs' sensitivity to odors as well as the ones I love and detest.

If you like the podcast, please leave a positive review on iTunes!

Related Blog Posts:

• The superpower of smell
• All the Battles I Fought When I Worked in a Cubicle (includes a part about bad smells in the office)

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Podcast music attribution: By the Coast (2004) (Antony Raijekov) / CC BY-NC 2.5