Decluttering without Overwhelm | Sensitive Families

When you hear the words “overwhelm,” “overstimulation,” and “sensitivity,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), these aren't just abstract concepts—they are lived, daily experiences that affect our bodies, our moods, and our productivity.In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the mechanics of overstimulation. For an HSP, sensory input isn't just "loud"; it’s processed deeply, which can lead to a physiological "short circuit." If left unchecked, this creates a cycle of frustration that only adds to the overwhelm.What We Cover This Week:The "Warning Signs": How to identify the subtle shifts in your thoughts, behaviors, and physical sensations before you hit your upper limit.Common experiences: Why HSP adults experience overwhelm through symptoms such as brain fog, irritability, withdrawal, or irrational thinking.The Power of Self-Awareness: Why the first step to managing overwhelm is understanding your unique "warning signs"The goal isn't to stop being sensitive—it’s to learn how to read your own internal dashboard. Join us as we reflect on common signs of overstimulation and how to navigate them with more grace and less guilt.I’d love to hear from you! What are your unique "warning signs" that you’re reaching your limit? Is it a specific physical sensation, a change in your inner monologue, or a sudden urge to flee the room? Share your experiences with us on social media or in our listener community.Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!Looking for more resources? Visit www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

My goal at Highly Sensitive Parenthood is to empower parents and children to celebrate their sensitivity and minimize the challenges that come along with it.In this video, I highlight the "superpowers" and gifts that our HSP trait brings to us & our families:1. Greater Depth of Processing2. Enhanced Empathy and Emotional Intelligence3. Deep Awareness & Sensitivity to Subtle StimuliVisit www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com for more information & personalized support! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

Thank you Karen C-Collector of Books 📖, LCBee, and many others for tuning into my live video with Rebecca | Spark Joy & Flow! I’m so thrilled to finally be here on Substack and look forward to connecting with you! Click here to learn more about, or register for, our Decluttering Without Overwhelm 3-week workshop for Sensitive Families. We start on March 11, and would love to have you join us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

Feeling deeply. Crying easily. Worrying about others. Needing to be alone. And being bullied and shamed for it all. Life as a sensitive person is often challenging and exhausting for grownups—especially in a world swirling in turmoil. Imagine what it’s like for kids.Does this resonate with you or your child? If so, I'm thrilled for you to listen in on my conversation with Judith Orloff, MD! If you don't know Judith yet, she is a pioneering psychiatrist and leading voice in the empath movement, and someone I've looked up to for many years. Dr. Orloff just made her debut as a children’s book author with a reassuring story to help kids embrace their empathetic gifts as a strength.In THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE RABBIT (Sounds True; October 7, 2025; $18.99 US Hardcover), Dr. Judith Orloff speaks directly to children who feel confused and overwhelmed by their feelings. A psychiatrist and trusted expert on thriving as an empath, Dr. Orloff offers comforting insights and teaches kids and their parents simple strategies for coping with big, sometimes scary emotions through the relatable story of a sensitive cottontail named Aurora who loses her home.  You can preorder or order "The Highly Sensitive Rabbit" for your child or a caregiver of a sensitive child in your life!About Dr. Orloff:Judith Orloff, MD, is a psychiatrist who serves on the UCLA Psychiatric Clinical Faculty Clinical Faculty and an empath. She is a New York Times bestselling author whose most recent books are The Genius of Empathy (2024) and The Empath’s Survival Guide (2017). Specializing in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice, she also offers Empathy Training Programs to organizations. She has spoken at the American Psychiatric Association, Google, Fortune’s Powerful Women’s Summit, and TEDx. She has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, PBS, and NPR. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, USA Today, Teen Vogue, and Scientific American. To learn more, visit drjudithorloff.com.Resources from this episode:“Supporting your Highly Sensitive Child” Course1-on-1 Coaching with Amy Lajiness, host of The Highly Sensitive Parenthood PodcastUse Coupon Code YOUTUBE for 20% off any Courses or Coaching from Highly Sensitive ParenthoodAbout Amy Lajiness:Amy Lajiness is a Coach & Educator who has spent countless hours supporting Highly Sensitive (HSP) parents in reclaiming their peace and confidence. Amy is an HSP herself as well as a mother of two highly energetic young children.  In her role as a licensed psychotherapist, Amy holds certifications in Perinatal Mental Health and HSP, and is passionate about providing resources for HSP parents, teaching them how to harness their strengths and manage challenges with grace and confidence, in order to thrive in parenthood. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

**Podcast Subscribers can access a special discount of 20% off of any courses or coaching at https://www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com/hspparentresources by using the code PODCAST at checkout.** Our living spaces are more than just physical locations; they are extensions of our inner selves. The environment we create within our homes can significantly influence our moods and overall well-being. For HSP individuals, who are especially attuned to external stimuli, a cluttered or chaotic space can be particularly overwhelming. In my work as a therapist and coach, I work with many Highly Sensitive parents to identify how their home environments impact their well-being, and how to honor their needs for calm, intentional spaces.With that, I’m so thrilled to share my conversation with Rebecca Jo-Rushdy of Spark Joy and Flow with the Highly Sensitive Parenthood community! Honestly, this has been one of my favorite podcast conversations EVER. We discuss the impact of our home environment on our mood and well-being, and chat about simple solutions for HSP folks and families to manage clutter and create systems that support calm and joy in our homes (yes, even with little ones around)! Where to find Rebecca & Spark Joy and Flow:1. Website2. Instagram3. Facebook Resources from this episode:1. “Supporting your Highly Sensitive Child” Course2. Highly Sensitive Parenthood Nourish Coaching Package3. Highly Sensitive Parenthood Course4. Highly Sensitive Parenthood Toolkit5. Highly Sensitive Parenthood Blog6. Highly Sensitive Parenthood YouTube Channel #highlysensitive #momcoach #parenting #parenthood #resources #empath This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

**Podcast Subscribers can access a special discount of 20% off of any courses or coaching at https://www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com/hspparentresources by using the code PODCAST at checkout.**  Do you struggle with creating routines and systems that feel sustainable and allow you some moments of relaxation and connection with your family? I've definitely gone through (long!) periods where I've felt so overwhelmed with household tasks and to-do's that I've missed out on rest time for myself, or neglected the relationships I most value.I invited Laura Hernandez of MamaSystems.net to join me for a conversation about creating systems that nurture both you and your children. We get nitty gritty on topics including chores and meal planning, and Laura give specific tips about how we can begin inviting our children (young or older) to more fully participate in the household.Where to find Laura & Mama Systems:1. Self-Care Guide for Highly Sensitive Parenthood - to access Laura's Self-Care Guide - a gift just for the Highly Sensitive Parenthood community! 2. Website3. Instagram4. Facebook5. Advocate Like a Mama Resources from this episode:1. “Supporting your Highly Sensitive Child” Course2. Highly Sensitive Parenthood Nourish Coaching Package3. Highly Sensitive Parenthood Course4. Highly Sensitive Parenthood Toolkit5. Highly Sensitive Parenthood Blog6. Highly Sensitive Parenthood YouTube Channel #highlysensitive #momcoach #parenting #parenthood #resources #empath This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

**Podcast Subscribers can access a special discount of 20% off of any courses or coaching at https://www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com/hspparentresources by using the code PODCAST at checkout.** Are you the parent of an HSP Teen or Tween?  I myself have a 9 year old, so this is right around the corner for me!While a lot of my blogs and podcasts have focused on being a sensitive parent, or parenting younger HSP kids, I didn't want to forget our older children.  I invited Nellie Harden of NellieHarden.com to join me in conversation around how to raise empowered and healthy HSP children (while also caring for ourselves as parents & people)! Meet Nellie Harden!Nellie is a wife, mother of 4 teenage daughters and an author and speaker in the space of Family Life & Leadership. She focuses on helping parents love & lead their teen/tween daughters in a way that teaches them to love & lead themselves while building a strong foundation of worth, esteem & confidence all before they leave home!Her background is in Biology and Psychology, from humpbacks to humans, and she has invested decades of her life into personal, family, faith and leadership development. Most of all, she believes the best way to change the world is through one living room at a time! Here are a few ways to connect with Nellie:1. Website2. 5 Things Your Daughter Needs3. Daughter Decoder4. Facebook Community5. Instagram6. YouTube7. 6570 Facebook Page Resources from this episode:“Supporting your Highly Sensitive Child” CourseHighly Sensitive Parenthood Nourish Coaching PackageHighly Sensitive Parenthood CourseHighly Sensitive Parenthood ToolkitHighly Sensitive Parenthood BlogHighly Sensitive Parenthood YouTube Channel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

**Podcast Subscribers can access a special discount of 20% off of any courses or coaching at https://www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com/hspparentresources by using the code PODCAST at checkout.**Amy Lajiness of Highly Sensitive Parenthood and Liz St. Jean of The Mint Ambition chat about how HSP & sensitive parents can thrive and leverage their sensitivity in the corporate world! Meet Liz St. Jean!Liz is a career advancement coach for quietly ambitious professionals. Her vision is that everyone should feel excited, motivated and proud of the work they do. Everyone deserves to have a meaningful career making an impact on the world around them. She also believes we need greater diversity in the rooms where decisions are being made. We need your voice and your ideas. We need your presence. She's all about helping you feel energized, motivated and confident showing up with a powerful presence, no matter what chaos swirls around you.Here are a few ways to learn with Liz:1) Listen to the RISE In Your 9 to 5 podcast where strategy meets intuition to build leadership skills & advance your career. Listen here.2) Take the free Quietly Ambitious Career Quiz to get personalized advice for the career growth season you're in. Take the quiz here.3) Check out Liz's programs on career advancement & leadership development. Learn more here. Resources from this episode:“Supporting your Highly Sensitive Child” CourseHighly Sensitive Parenthood Nourish Coaching PackageHighly Sensitive Parenthood CourseHighly Sensitive Parenthood ToolkitHighly Sensitive Parenthood BlogHighly Sensitive Parenthood YouTube Channel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

Our lives, and our energies, follow a universal pattern of ebb and flow; intensity and calm both have their place in the cycle of life.On this week’s podcast, I am sharing how to recognize ebb and flow for highly sensitive people and in your day-to-day life. And, I’m low-key announcing that I’m taking a break from releasing new blogs & videos each week for the time being!In this episode, you'll learn:What is ebb and flowResources for HSPsResources from this episode:“Supporting your Highly Sensitive Child” CourseHighly Sensitive Parenthood Nourish Coaching PackageHighly Sensitive Parenthood CourseHighly Sensitive Parenthood ToolkitHighly Sensitive Parenthood BlogHighly Sensitive Parenthood YouTube Channel #hsp #hspmom #momcoach #highlysensitive This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com

In my work with HSP adults, one of the biggest challenges that comes up is having a non-HSP partner who has difficulty understanding the experience of being Highly Sensitive. Of course, there are many benefits to an HSP/non-HSP pairing.In this week’s blog, I’m sharing ways and resources that can help our non-HSP partners better understand and support us as Highly Sensitive People! In this episode, you'll learn:Ways that can help our non-HSP partners better understand and support usResources for HSPsResources from this episode:“Supporting your Highly Sensitive Child” CourseHighly Sensitive Parenthood Nourish Coaching PackageHighly Sensitive Parenthood CourseHighly Sensitive Parenthood ToolkitHighly Sensitive Parenthood BlogHighly Sensitive Parenthood YouTube Channel #hsp #hspmom #momcoach #highlysensitive This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highlysensitiveparenthood.substack.com