Highly Sensitive Person Diaries: How I chaperoned 38 middle schoolers in Times Square for 5 days
Last week I helped chaperone our school’s Montessori Model United Nations trip. My son, Owen, is a 6th grader and this is a year-long project; a big deal and once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing.
To be clear: I did not want to chaperone because I knew it would be exhausting, but Owen insisted and, of course, I agreed (with fear in my heart).
On highly sensitive person scale of 1-10, I’m about an 8 million.
So imagine staying in Times Square in a group of 40 for 5 days.
We navigated subways and food courts and all manner of public bathrooms. We braved freezing weather and long lines.
I kept three (terrific) young men – and their conference dress clothes –in my care 24-7. We did most activities as a group of 40!
As a highly sensitive person, everything about this trip posed a challenge: the lights and sounds (and odors) of Broadway, the total lack of alone time, the shared room, the steady drip of M&M’s.
It was exhausting. But so much more joyful than anticipated.
Here are few tools I used to care for my well-being despite the massive stimulation:
Pre-trip
Being organized calms my mind. My type A gets amped up before travel, so I just go with it, and everyone stays out of my way. I got super organized and bought all the cute tiny travel things, plus hand warmers, a first aid kit, anything I thought I might need.
Lots of water, early bedtimes, nourishing food and nature time.
Left future Honor a note of what work to focus on when I got back. For my ADHD brain, a week away feels like 10 years. Leaving breadcrumbs is key.
During
This free audio every morning to help me reset my mindset.
This free sleep fan app at night to block out the whirl of Times Square.
Sensory management tools for winding down: my ever-present Beats and eye mask.
Stayed hydrated with LMNT.
Breathwork all day long (no one knew!).
This favorite supplement as needed and before bed to help with anxiety.
Laughed until I cried with the amazing teachers and chaperones.
Ate M&Ms and Doritos for lunch and just let it be ok.
1:1 with Owen is a rare gift, I made the most of it.
Recovery
Even though I turned 50 the day after we got back, I created a soft landing. Stayed in bed late, cuddled with my babies and fur babies, and watched Ted Lasso.
Monday was a planned recovery day – laundry, birthday walk with special girlfriends, early bedtime.
Tuesday was the on ramp back to real life – met with my coach, my VA and got back to work.
After years of self-criticism for feeling “too soft” and “too sensitive” I now choose to see high sensitivity as a superpower.
As a strengths-focused coach (more on that soon, but if you’re curious about your strengths here is a gold-standard positive psychology-based resource), I help women integrate their high sensitivity into their lives in a way that leads to less stress and more joy.
We embrace:
needs for rest, renewal, routine
emotional and physical well-being
personal and professional lifestyles that promote success
custom tool kits to help yourself
We savor the delights that come tending a sensitive self – the quiet walks, the soothing baths, the routines and rituals that help us reset after a big project.
I’m still as driven as ever, but in a way that values my well-being and that of those around me. I no longer ask myself to be someone I’m not. I put down the lead-weighted shame about the anxiety and overwhelm I can experience when I’m trying too hard to be not-so-sensitive.
Tiny Next Steps
If you are curious about high sensitivity for yourself, family or colleagues, Elaine Aron, PhD, is your guardian angel. Her HSP test is your tiny next step.
Self Reflection
What are your superpowers? How can you use them to navigate an upcoming challenge?
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