Day 60: Zita Jefferson, HSP

Two Months!

Two whole months!

I am starting to settle into this lifestyle. But it is not easy. There have been many moments where I could feel the pull of the old me.

I have always been an overly sensitive person. Several years ago, I discovered a book entitled "The Highly Sensitive Person".  It should  have had my picture on it. There is even a website devoted to us HSP's.  Here are some of the questions to as yourself: (From http://hsperson.com/)

"Is this you?

• Are you easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?
• Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
• Do you make a point of avoiding violent movies and TV shows?
• Do you need to withdraw during busy days, into bed or a darkened room or some other place where you can have privacy and relief from the situation?
• Do you make it a high priority to arrange your life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations?
• Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?
• Do you have a rich and complex inner life?
• When you were a child, did your parents or teachers see you as sensitive or shy?"

Well, of course I answered YES!! (with double exclamation points!!) to all of these questions.  That's me.  Zita Jefferson, HSP

You can read more at: http://hsperson.com/

So, I have to guard myself when I am feeling vulnerable. A word of criticism, even well intentioned, can cause my heart to thud and my stomach to churn.

A frown, a stare, a rude comment, Lord help me!

On top of that I am an introvert by nature.  Mind you, I do like people. Most of them I love!  But interacting with others, no matter how pleasant, after awhile has a draining effect. And i find myself seeking a place to retreat and recharge my battery.  Reading books, playing the piano, going for walks, listening to music, and eating have all soothed my soul.

But somewhere along my path, food has become my primary source of comfort.

And yesterday I was feeling vulnerable. What I desired after my day of teaching and rehearsal, was a cozy chair, a book and something to eat.  (Another very peculiar habit of mine is reading cookbooks while I eat - for me the ultimate in comfort! Weird, eh?)

But I have faced each temptation head on and reminded myself of my new lifestyle.  Exercise every day, preferable in the morning right after my grapefruit.

Then eat healthy, sensible meals including scads of water until 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. at the absolute latest.  Then only water until breakfast the next day.

So to celebrate my 2 month mark, I am going for a nice walk on the trail.  I don't think I will run today.  I feel then need to walk and breathe.

I have a pot of "He Man" chili brewing in the crockpot. I adapted the recipe from The All-American Cowboy Cookbook that I downloaded onto my Kindle. (http://www.amazon.com/The-All-American-Cowboy-Cookbook-Greatest/dp/1558533656)

I adapted it of course.  I added chicken-chipotle sausage,  a bit of cocoa powder and some peppers from our garden.  The house smells divine!

After my walk, I will have a bowl of chili and a salmon patty. Then I am off to teach piano class and then meet a friend downtown to play musical duets and trios with her husband and her. She plays the recorder and her husband plays the violin. Both are retired and live in a lovely condo on the waterfront. They play beautiful and I am hoping this musical get together will comfort my soul more than a plate full of food and a cookbook at some restaurant!

We can only hope.

Perhaps I can come out of my introvert zone a bit.  Replace my food friends with real live people friends! It's a start!

Happy Friday!