"The A-B-C Guide to Being

a Happy Sensitive"

by Caroline van Kimmenade

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
1
remember to read with your heart...

...let the words sink into your body
instead of your brain. Your brain
knows this material already, it's the
body that needs to start processing
it too...that's where the real power
is...

read slowly
breathe
feel

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
2
A is for All you've done.

A is for all you've done for everyone, for making the world a
better place. Even if you feel you only did something small,
chances are, you did it extremely well because, being sensitive,
you care. So, A is the A of excellence, it is the recognition
that you give your best, even if it isn't received or
understood, yet.

B is for Being you and chilling out.

It is for kicking back, letting go and saying "that's that".

It's about understanding that you don't always need to be doing
something. All the things you do, come from all the things you
be anyway. So, the being comes first. What does it feel like to
just be you and let that be enough?

C is for complimenting yourself and

receiving the compliments of others.

C is for seeing all the ways in which you are appreciated. It is

for letting those compliments sink in, for truly receiving them.
Honour those compliments, collect them, and review them when
you're being too critical of your own achievements (and your own
sensitivity!).

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
3
D is for Doing. For Going out there. For
following your Dreams.

D is for recognizing that, to make those wonderful visions

happen, you need to take action on them. Dream and dream and do!
D is also for knowing that you don't need to get your big dream
realized all at once, taking little steps towards it is enough.

E is for your Exceptional qualities, your

Expertise.

E is for owning all that you are, for knowing all the ways in
which you can contribute to the lives of others. Speak up about
your expertise, it's the only way others are going to find out
about it.

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
4
F is for f*%k. (It needs to be said
sometimes) Just remember to go easy on
yourself.

F is for all the things you want, that aren't happening. It is

for Frustration and Fear. It is for all those times you feel
like giving up. The F is the glitch in the system, the stumbling
block along the road, the insensitive things on your sensitive
path. F can be a reminder, to go to G.

G is for Grounding, for being in your body.

We sensitives have a tendency to avoid all forms of density, we

prefer to float above it. But, that density - that feels oh so
heavy! - is what will ultimately allow our dreams to 'manifest
on the earth plane'. That density IS what allows our body to
exist. And, while we are here to transform some of that density
to light, we also need to make peace with it. When things are
going wrong, it might be time to slow down, to tune into our
body. That is also density.

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
5
H is for Humming, Harmony and being Happy.

H is for that beautiful synchronistic space of following our

heart, jumping from one note to the next without a plan. Just
putting one foot in front of the other, singing, dancing, having
fun. It is for trusting we are guided, to be our best, when we
let go.

I - is a reminder not to forget about

yourself

I is the anchor amid the turmoil of other people's lives. I is

the breath, the awareness that you are here. Right here. Right
at the centre, where there is only you, and the peace of you.

J - is for JustJamming and having a

Jollygoodtime.

J is for being unconcerned about results jah-know? J is for

Just-do-it. It is for jumping into that moment between now and
later, participating, and letting things happen.

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
6
K - is for Knowing, without knowing-how-you-
know, you know?

How 'Kool' is that?! You don't need to explain it, argue it, or
believe it. When you know, you just know. All skepticism
immediately unravels, doubts become irrelevant. You just know,
and all is well.

L is for Laughter and Lightening up.

Don't let people tell you that being sensitive is necessarily a

serious business. There is a popular misunderstanding that
people who are depressed are necessarily very sensitive. But are
they? And are happy people necessarily unsensitive? Is either
one a requirement for the other?

M is for everything that Matters to you.

It is your list, and it doesn't need to include global warming.

It is such a relief to be honest about what really matters to
us. What is closest to your heart?

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
7
N is NOT for oversensitive, overbearing,
being 'too much' or crybaby. It is Never for
"stop exaggerating" and it is Nowhere Near
"toning it down a notch". It's for saying NO
to people who say no to you-being-you, Now.

Say no to people who say no to who you are. Don't explain

yourself. So what if we are the knights-who-say-ni, we follow
our own inner logic. It takes strength to be different. You are
different, and so, you are necessarily strong, by definition.

Oh my God. O is for the overwhelmingly

amazing experiences you have.

O is for all those times you feel as amazing as only a sensitive

can feel. All the times you notice the exquisite beauty only a
sensitive can notice and for all the times you can tune in to
what only a sensitive can perceive. Revel in those experiences.

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
8
P is voor Practicing, Practical and Powerful
skills.

When you have a body as finely tuned and equiped as ours you
need to learn how to work with it. You need to collect the
pieces of the manual that you were never given when you were
born, and you need to practice, practice, practice until moving
around in your body becomes as pleasurable as swimming in the
purest, gentlest ocean.

Q is for Quiet. The stillness that

rejuvenates you.

Nothing can replace the rejuvenating power of quiet. Having a

quiet refuge allows you to maintain your daily equilibrium. It
allows you to hear yourself and stay on track. Claim that quiet
and allow it to feed you.

R is for Rest, the time required to process

your experiences and compost them into fuel
for the next moment.

When you stop doing and seeking, your body can go into clearing,
cleaning and organizing mode. Experiences are reshuffled, input
sorted and problems are quietly and gently being solved...

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
9
S is for Steadfast. The ability to Stand
Strong and Support your (Sensitive) Self.

S is for standing strong. It is for recognizing that the most

important person to have on your side, at any one time, is YOU.
Just you.

T is for Trust. Trusting your intuition,

Trusting yourself, Trusting your personal
truth.

T is for doing away with all the things others believe and tell
you you 'must'. T is for that junction where you choose, left or
right? Which feels right to you? What use is it, to follow
someone else's sense of direction, when only our own compass can
lead us to our joy?

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
10
U is for Understanding your highly sensitive
traits, your gifts, your needs, your
Uniqueness

Don't worry about whether other people understand what it's like
to be sensitive. They don't and they never will. Worry about
whether you get what it's like to be you. Do you know what you
need? Do you know when you're at your best, and why?

V is for vowing to never give up on

yourself.

V is vor committing to yourself, your decisions, your mistakes,

your growth. This is your life. Be your own fanclub, your own
guru, choose your own theme song.

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
11
W is for Wait-and-see, before you decide.
It's your ability to choose the less obvious
and the more effective Way.

Waiting is not the same as putting something off, being fearful

or being stuck. Waiting can just be the time you need to let the
decision percolate, to let the best path reveal itself. There is
a beauty to jumping in recklessly, and there is a beauty to
putting your toe in the water first. Honour your style.

X is for marking your favorite spot.

X is there to use on your personal treasure map. Keep track of

what gets you excited, what feeds you, the things that make your
life rich. Remember what they are and where they are.

Y is for questioning, for always asking, for

never stopping at anyone's answer

Every perspective is only true until a better perspective comes

along. Our understanding of the world is always in flux. Enjoy
it, be curious, don't take anything for a definite answer.

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
12
Z is for zooming out and seeing the bigger
picture of you.

Z is for the bigger vision, your ability to connect to a bigger

understanding of things. Z can bring peace amidst turbulent
changes, stresses and fears. When you can connect to a higher
sense of purpose you will always feel guided and never lost, no
matter the turmoil you are in.

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
13
And now, it's time to make this your own list! Use it as-is, or
change it, add things, delete things...Here are some ideas to
get you started:

A is for All you've done. Keep a list of some of your

achievements that your are exceptionally proud of. Then, when
you feel you have not accomplished anything and nothing you do
is any good, take out that list.

B is for Being you and chilling out. Creating the right

environment really helps. The right music, setting, lighting,
people (or no people!). Test and see what works best for you,
boil it down to it's essence, and if possible, make it into a
travel sized-collection so that you have your own portable feel-
good-space.

C is for complimenting yourself and receiving the compliments of

others. Samantha Bennett gives people the advice of keeping a
compliment-diary. That's right, writing down all the compliments
you receive. It's because, our minds are naturally wired to
remember all the negative feedback we get (it's more relevant to
our survival) and so it is harder to remember compliments, yet,
it would be pretty good for our self-esteem to remember them
right?

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
14
D is for Doing. For Going out there. For following your Dreams.
It helps to have a plan and to give yourself permission to take
tiny steps in moving forward. In fact, only take one tiny step a
day. That is enough. You can be the turtle that beats the hare.
E is for your Exceptional qualities, your Expertise. Do you even
know what you are exceptionally good at? The things we naturally
excel at are usually the things we consider to be "normal" and
"nothing special". Hmmm...

F is for f*%k. (It needs to be said sometimes) Just remember to

go easy on yourself! Do you have a reminder (a book, a song, a
saying) that tells you what you need to hear when things get
rough?

G is for Grounding, for being in your body. What are your 3 most
effective methods for getting down to earth? (It helps to have a
few so that you can use what works best in any particular
situation.)

H is for Humming, Harmony and being Happy.

What are some of the things you love, love, love?

I - is a reminder not to forget about yourself. What's the

easiest way for you to get back in touch with your own feelings?

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
15
J - is for JustJamming and having a Jollygoodtime. What are
things you love to do just for doing them? (Let yourself do more
of that! Useful things do result from "pointless fun", it's the
fun that gets you into the positive mindset that opens up
practical possibilities.)

K - is for Knowing, without knowing-how-you-know, you know?

Write down three times when you "just knew" and were right! (I
bet you can list loads more.)

L is for Laughter and Lightening up. What makes you laugh?

Create an emergency stash.

M is for everything that Matters to you. What matters most to

you right now? Be honest, and use it for N.

N is NOT for oversensitive, overbearing, being too much or

crybaby. It is Never for "stop exaggerating" and it is
Nowhere Near "toning it down a notch". It's for saying NO to
people who say no to you-being-you, Now.
Who do you need to say no to?
What do you need to say no to?
And what do you feel you need to be able to do just that?

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
16
Oh my God. O is for the overwhelmingly amazing experiences you
have. Keep one very powerful one handy to think about/meditate
on when you need to remember that life is also amazing.

P is voor Practicing, Practical and Powerful skills. What would

you like to learn? What do you need to practice?

Q is for Quiet. The stillness that rejuvenates you. Do you have

a quiet place where you can recharge your batteries? Could you
create a quiet place? Could you make your every day activities
more pleasant by giving yourself more quiet? (Many sensitive
people carry around a set of earplugs)

R is for Rest, the time required to process your experiences and

compost them into fuel for the next moment. What's your favorite
way of resting? (besides sleep!)

S is for Steadfast. The ability to Stand Strong and Support your

(Sensitive) Self. When do you feel strongest? And how can you
get more of that?

T is for Trust. Trusting your intuition, Trusting yourself,

Trusting your personal truth. Notice the difference in feeling
between trusting yourself and not trusting yourself. What do you
notice? (try it this week!)

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
17
U is for Understanding your highly sensitive traits, your gifts,
your needs, your Uniqueness. What are some of the questions you
have about your sensitivity? And what are some of the things
you've discovered?

V is for vowing to never give up on yourself. What is your

personal reminder for that?

W is for Wait-and-see, before you decide. It's your ability to

choose the less obvious and the more effective Way. Can you
remember a time when this waiting-and-seeing prevented a lot of
drama? Use this as personal proof (just for yourself) to resist
when people are pushing you to take more risk than you feel
comfortable with.

X is for marking your favorite spot. Keep track of your favorite

places and things. Do you have enough of them? Or do you need to
go out and find some more?

Y is for questioning, for always asking, for never stopping at

anyone's answer. What's your favorite thing to ask?

Z is for zooming out and seeing the bigger picture of you. Do

you have ways to zoom out?

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
18
When we sit down and think about things, we know a lot
about ourselves, but when we're in the middle of a
crisis, we tend to forget most of what we know.

Keep the responses that this list brought up for you

handy (in writing!) to remind you of what you already
know when you need that reminder most.

Share your list with your partner, family, loved ones.

Tell them how they can help you when things get
overwhelming for you or you just lose sight of your
strength.

It can be a blessing for non-sensitives when we tell

them exactly how they can help us when things get rough.

Did you enjoy what you read? Do you have any comments or
questions? Let me know! thehappysensitive@gmail.com

See you at the next newsletter!

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
19
About...Caroline van Kimmenade

As a creative researcher and educator, Caroline is on a mission to teach highly

sensitive people how to build a customized self-care system that allows them to
thrive. As the daughter of a socially aware teacher and a system-thinking IT
specialist, Caroline started her career as a system-thinking, socially engaged
teacher and course developer at Maastricht University (Netherlands). She
thought she was well on her way to blending creativity, criticism and
consciousness when the Universe had a better plan.

The plan involved becoming very ill, plotting through an agonizing 2,5 years of
"dark night of the soul" and getting her bearings in the magical, unfamiliar and
slightly woo-woo world of healing. And then, there was light at the end of the
tunnel!

That light involved bringing together her gifts in order to teach others the tools
they would need to heal themselves. For, along that dark and tedious road of
healing and self-discovery, she'd never stopped researching and making
connections, and she'd never stopped believing in a Great Solution.

So here it is. Part one of that Great Solution. Stay tuned...because more is
underway!

This is a Happy Sensitive e-book.

http://www.thehappysensitive.com
Caroline van Kimmenade, 2013
20