Resources for Challenging Times

Published: Fri, 04/04/25

Dear

On a Personal Note

We're just back from Liverpool and the Peak District. Oh joy, what a wonderful week it was. And like real life, it was not without challenges!

The day before we were due to leave for long, wonderful hikes in the Peak District, I injured my left leg. How funny (not)!

From a Meta Consciousness ™ perspective, I knew exactly what had caused it, and you'll have the article in your inbox at some point.

Even though I knew the emotional cause, it was still darn painful, and took time to recover. A dear friend came to my aid with online Tissue Salts and homeopathic guidance - I always take a healing kit with me where ever I go.

I had to ask Andrew to bring me stuff since I could not walk on that leg for half a day! It's remarkable how much we depend on all the parts of us working 'normally'. While packing for the next leg of the trip, I became painfully aware that everything I needed was in another room somewhere. And it was simply impossible to skip along as usual and fetch it!

I was, of course, rather disappointed about missing out on the lovely hikes we'd been planning. Thankfully, I was able to do little bits of walking on the first day, and quite a bit more on the last. It's surprising how fast the body can recover.

As well as the physical help (homeopathy and tissue salts), I used some EFT (tapping), to relieve some of the shock, panic (of the moment it happened) and other emotions. Our bodies can heal with more ease if we don't have extra emotional layers around the issue. Plus, sometimes it's those emotional layers that keep the issue in place (sneaky, I admit!)

A few images below of our wonderful time! Liverpool is the city of the Beatles, so of course I had to find their statue. Top left is a collage made from Jelly Beans! There're lots of hearts all over the city. And bottom right is me, happy as a clam, to get out for a few slow steps, even in whipping wind at the top of a Peak!

The leg experience, and a deep conversation with a fellow HSP Introvert this week, got me thinking about how deeply challenging life currently is for so many, many people around the globe.

There's an article about this below, and resources I've already created for times like this.

On a Business Note:

Resources for Challenging Times

"Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed."
Bob Riley

Most of my friends in the US are extremely concerned. Some are afraid to leave their home state, others don't want their family from abroad to visit. Some are scientists who are gutted about information disappearing, and grants stopped. Many are just gulping for air as shocks and changes keep happening, day after day.

Elsewhere in the world, there are awfully big challenges, too. Ongoing wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, escalating trade wars, famine. If you know anything about Africa, millions of people are on the brink of starvation, while food in other parts of the world simply rot.

Many of my friends and family members are enduring very big health and personal challenges.

Maybe some of this rings true for you, too? If so - my heart goes out to you. We live in extraordinary times.

Many sensitive and caring souls have thoughts like:

"This can't be right! It can't be happening! How is it possible to inflict so much harm and cause chaos, heartbreak and damage for so many vulnerable people?"

If you're one of those gentle souls (like most people reading this newsletter), so much of what's happening just don't make any sense to us. Our nervous systems are built to be caring, empathetic, compassionate - to care about the wellbeing of our fellow human beings, especially the vulnerable.

I want to provide a little bit of hope, a few points that might buoy you up.

One: We need each other during difficult times

I'm in a business coaching group of sensitive souls and last week, our conversation turned to: WE are the antidote to what's happening on a big scale. The caring, sensitive souls of the world were born for these times. We know how to care, to make sure our nearest and dearest are okay. We are willing to sit with them if they're not okay. OUR energy is exactly what's needed right now!

From experience working with GallupStrengths, some gentle souls will simply 'be with' another person to support them through the difficulty, while others will want to do something practical to solve the problem.

We're all different and don't need to do it 'like someone else'. It's enough to be yourself, and offer what you can, where you are.

Second: We don't need to do it all

This is a place where sensitive souls can easily trip up. We want the whole world to come to their senses, stop the madness and cruelty, and start caring for each other. Yesterday.

When that doesn't happen, we can suffer internally - and later, it can have an effect on our health.

My experience has taught me to aim for releasing unrealistic expectations, yet stay hopeful. The world isn't going to stop the madness immediately, and we cannot fix it all very quickly, let alone by ourselves.

We must remember where our limits are (our circles of concern, control and influence).

Sensitive souls need to keep in mind:

"To do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

Theodore Roosevelt

Let's continue to look out for the small things we can do right where we are, for those around us. We don't need to fix every wrong in the world. We cannot. Yet we CAN do good, kind things for those people right on our doorstep.

Every small act of kindness, caring and goodness helps. It can change someone's day, week, or life completely.

Focus on where you can make a difference. The smallest act can have ripple effects in ways we cannot imagine.

So if you've been feeling helpless, powerless or "I don't know what to do - there's so much wrong, and my little bit doesn't count" - think again. Remember the Starfish story.

Three: If you're struggling yourself, it's hard to do the good!

Yes, we also need super-excellent self-care during these times, to keep ourselves on an even keel... otherwise number Two above is not going to happen.

I know you'll have your own preferred way of self-care, and I'd recommend doing even more of them. If you're too busy to meditate, that's exactly when you need it.

I use EFT tapping daily. Sometimes a few rounds in silence, focusing on the feeling or emotion. Other times I speak my thoughts out loud. Sometimes I do a longer session, where I jot down thoughts, tap for them, cross them out as they start feeling less of a bother... and, I also have tapping swops with colleagues, and I pay my own EFT practitioner.

It's simply impossible (not sustainable) to stay upright and be there for others, if we neglect our own inner world and stress. We owe it to ourselves, and everyone around us.

Four: Using your Strengths is energising!

If you're a person with high Empathy, simply asking someone how they are and truly listening, and sending caring from your heart, will provide an energy boost.

If you have high problem solving capacity (Strengths like Strategic Thinking, Individualisation, Restorative, Arranger), helping a friend to brainstorm solutions (while still leaving them the agency to decide if it's right for them), will be energising.

Do more of the things you look forward to, love doing, and feel fulfilled by (those are the signs of your strengths).

Five: More resources

Below are videos (to tap along with) and articles from previous years, that can provide some resourcing and 'getting back in your own shoes', so you can do the good you can, where you are.

Videos

Sensitive souls: How to support others in difficult times - | Savvy Self Growth for HSPs

Still one of my favourite videos - my Strengths mentor, Dries Lombaard, shared how sensitive souls can support others during challenging times. It is very inspirational and uplifting.

Group EFT Tapping for Peace about the War in Ukraine - | Savvy Self Growth for HSPs

This is a recorded video group session from 2022, for upset about the War in Ukraine. You can bring to mind what's upsetting you currently, and tap along with the prompts. You will 'borrow benefits' that way - even if your issue isn't 100% the same.

EFT to Support you through Difficult Times

Another recorded video group session for Difficult Times. Bring any 'difficult' situation you're facing, and use the prompts in the class to tap along with us.

Articles

Five Inspiring Perspectives for Tough Times - | Savvy Self Growth for HSPs

A few people I admire, and their thoughts for tough times, with some of my own.

Sensitive soul - where do you draw the line of caring? - | Savvy Self Growth for HSPs

Looking at the circles of concern, control and influence.

Why I Work with Sensitive Introverts and why it Matters - | Savvy Self Growth for HSPs

This article talks about the way I see the role of sensitive people in the world. Jump to the heading "So why do I care so deeply about sensitive introverts?"

Do you know the SIGNs of your Strengths? - | Savvy Self Growth for HSPs

The signs of your strengths, and why it matters.

I'll leave you with this quote:

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
– Leo Buscaglia

Thank you for reading, for being here, for being a support to others. We can stay strong during these times if we continue to care.

I'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts about the times we live in? What do you do for self-care? What can I offer to support you?

Or, simply say hello. I love hearing from you.

Wishing you a week blessed with sparks of beautiful moments!

With love and kindness,

Liesel

Hi, I'm Liesel!

I'm an HSP introvert who loves supporting sensitive souls to go beyond what they thought possible for them.

PS: I write about EFT, Strengths, health, HSPs, introverts, emotional issues and a combination. If we're no longer a fit and you have enough emails in your inbox to last you a life time, no hard feelings. Please hit that unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email. I humbly ask you make sure not to hit 'Spam' or 'Junk' - it has a whole cascade effect that you probably didn't intend. 🙏

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