Annie Wigman Coaching - Loving Your Highly Sensitive Life

26/02/2024

I came across this animated video on trauma recently from the Trauma Foundation. It's really informative on the autonomic nervous system and fight-flight/freeze responses.

For any of you who follow polyvagal theory this may be familiar stuff but for both seasoned trauma students and those of you you coming to this with fresh eyes, this animated video infographic gives a great introduction and overview to developmental trauma and how it can impact lives.

This video was developed to give a basic introduction and overview of how trauma and chronic stress affects our nervous system and how those effects impact o...

19/09/2023

This is a deep, thoughtful, personal piece with perhaps more questions than answers (very me!). Hopefully it both offers and asks for understanding towards me, yourselves and all who prevaricate and procrastinate sometimes.

Is a phrase I used a lot as a child ... and, even now, as a so called adult, I am sensitive and attuned to unfairness. Or to put a more positive spin, I like to see fairness .. Yes, I know, I know ... once again I feel moved to apologise and wonder if #

22/03/2023

Tips when considering Career Transitions
A recent post in a group for HSPs came from someone considering a career transition and wondering what kind of careers and job titles other HSPs have been attracted to and what has been a successful path for them.

A variety of responses ensued - here's a bunch of questions to consider that I offered up for readers who are not group members or who maybe are but haven't seen that post and for whom this kind of material might be useful. Plus I've added a couple more that came to mind after I'd posted to the group (It's the Elaine Aron & High Sensitivity Group) by the way. Ok so here goes, here's what I wrote:

"The variety of responses here indicates how it's such an individual thing and no one size fits all ...

I agree with those who say it's important to know yourself - I'd say to get clear on what you need and enjoy as well as what you can offer.

Questions that come to mind include:
What kinds of environments and stimuli nourish you/bring you joy and help you to thrive? And ..

What kinds of environments and stimuli drain you and mean you barely survive?

How well / badly to you cope under pressure?

How much autonomy do you need?

How important to you is choice / control over where you work, when you work, how you work, how often/how long you work, with whom you work etc?

How much downtime do you need?

Are you a morning person, an evening person?

How strong/weak are your boundaries?

Would it bother you to have to wear a uniform ... or do you have to be in your own clothes to feel good?

Are you introverted, extroverted, high sensation seeking etc?

How 'sensible' are you?

How much might you be driven by an artistic-creative temperament?

What level of income to you need to meet existing financial commitments and lifestyle requirements?

What resources; financial, social connections do you have?

How much energy / stamina do you have?

How ready might you be for a drop in income?

How resilient are you?

How ready might you be for a change in lifestyle that might be required with a drop in income?

How bothered are you about the perceived 'social status' of a particular job/career path?

What skills and qualities can you offer - and how much satisfaction and enjoyment do you get from offering them?

In what spheres might your preferred skills and qualities be in demand?

Do you prefer to be an employee or self-employed etc etc etc?

I also agreed with a respondent who cautioned to avoid things like retail - I advised to avoid things like retail or customer services roles unless it was something you're really passionate about and to generally avoid anything where you are easily replaceable .... anything where you are micromanaged and have little or no power to control your environment. It's worth considering how much these kinds of roles might leave you feeling overwhelmed, drained and resentful.

Similar for other 'caring' roles. They might be ver rewarding in some ways and very demanding and draining in others>

My additional questions formed around Self-Care ... so

What kinds of self-care practices do you use?

What self-care practices and routines do you find the most helpful?

Which kinds of working environments and careers are likely to facilitate / be more supportive of your self-care routines?

Which kinds of working environments and careers are likely to be more tricksy about allowing you the time and space to practice the self-care routines that you need?

Which might even deny you the opportunity completely?

Lots of questions, I know! The answers can only come from within you ... but I hope you find these helpful questions and perspectives to consider. Good luck if you're in career transition mode!

31/12/2022

I posted these pics on my personal profile, on IG and I’m sharing them here … I can’t pretend to 100% love this time of year.. so many mixed emotions… and I also can’t pretend to always love my highly sensitive life. To do so would be a disservice to you. But it does let me truly enjoy cake!! Sending with love and sensitivity… into the 2023!! 🥂😘

18/12/2022

Lights, camera, lights! Happy and festive Chanukah … and may all your donuts be delicious! To that I’ve actually got any yet - ooops! Hopefully tomorrow 🤩

12/08/2022

A reminder of beauty in nature clinging on even during shortages of water, a drought of good news and a deluge of bad news…. Colour, beauty and life amid all the strife!

15/06/2022

Inspired by May’s meet-up in Central London of the Highly Sensitive Person Psychology and Support Community, hosted by therapist Cindy Gale. The main theme was around Relationships and/for the HSP .. I can assure any who may be concerned that it wasn’t all about trauma - but it did feature in and among the broader conversation and it’s a huge interest of mine, hence my title and including coverage of it. It’s worth a look!

Blog page of anniewigman.com Permmission to be YOU, lovingyourhighlysensitivelife

23/05/2022

3rd time lucky? Whilst I’m preparing my own post on relationship dynamics inspired by a recent meet-up I attended for HSPs in London (HSP & Psychology Support Community hosted by therapist Cindy Gale), I bring you this piece on dependence vs autonomy I came across in Psychology Today. Or at least I’ve been trying to - I’m hoping to succeed this time!

I love that the author reminds us that dependence is natural and and fundamental human need, as distinct from over-dependence and that extreme independence has its downsides too.

So of this link works, I offer you the opportunity to read and conduct a dependency audit in a safe and well balanced environment and in a spirit of kindness, respect and self-compassion.

Healthy unions require acting for both what’s personally and mutually helpful.

23/01/2022

“The idea that you are successful because you are smart and hardworking is pernicious and wrong because it means everyone who is unsuccessful is stupid and lazy.” ….. People who think they climbed the greasy pole on their own misunderstand how much luck had a part to play and how society, directly or indirectly, also helped them rise.

Indeed! Couldn’t agree more even if you question the meaning of “successful.”

The LSE’s director and former Bank of England economist is outspoken over the need for a reset of the wider capitalist system

18/01/2022

It’s January, it’s cold … but look!