Close to the Heart: How to Thrive as a Highly Sensitive Person

Highly sensitive people, or “new introverts,” is what those who react more strongly than others to noise or bustle, quickly get tired of society, and love solitude are called. These people feel the world in a subtle way and pay attention to the smallest details, so very often they become wonderful poets, artists, and writers. However, it’s hard for them to live among others: too often they have to justify their fatigue and their dislike of people; criticism hurts them too much; too much strength goes into empathizing and into trying to meet social standards accepted by society.

Ilse Sand, a Danish writer and certified psychotherapist, who has learned firsthand all the hardships and joys of life for highly sensitive people, explains how new introverts can finally stop trying to reshape themselves and start living as they like—in harmony with themselves and with their feelings.