As highly sensitive people (HSPs), it’s essential to our well-being that we do meaningful, fulfilling work that is the right match for our needs. Of course, it can be challenging for anyone to work a job they don’t like or isn’t a good fit to pay the bills, but for HSPs, it’s nearly impossible if we don’t want to burn out.  

As HSPs, we have incredible gifts to offer. We can excel in extraordinary ways when we feel we are making a difference in an environment that matches our needs and sensory sensitivities.  

What does NOT work for HSPs?

• Crowded spaces and shared offices

• Too many meetings

• Being constantly on call

• Toxic work environments

• Not feeling valued

• Authoritarian leadership that isn’t open to your needs

When we are in these environments, our light starts to go out, impacting everything and everyone around us. We don’t have the energy to live a fulfilling and meaningful life and aren’t the parents, partners, or friends we wish to be. Our health gets impacted, and we end up in survival mode, just trying to get through the day. I’ve seen many HSPs suffer in environments that aren’t the right fit, and their relationships and families suffer along with them.  

Many HSPs are beginning to advocate for their needs, change their careers or start their own businesses once they have become conscious of creating a life that supports their needs better. For both physical and mental health wellness, it’s worth being intentional and making changes to improve your well-being.  

What do HSPs need to thrive?

• Private office spaces or work-from-home options

• Sensory-friendly environments

• Work-life balance where breaks and time off are encouraged

• Access to nature or natural settings

• Meaning, fulfillment, and aligned values

• Collaborative supervisors that listen to your needs (or being self-employed)

I didn’t start truly thriving until I started my own business, and many HSPs have felt the same. We get to set our own hours, work in comfortable and quiet spaces, have better work-life balance, and do meaningful work using our gifts.  My favorite place to work is outside, next to my pup!

Many HSPs want to have their own business, but it can be hard to know where to start. We tend to do things a little differently and have unique needs, and it can be challenging for many creative HSPs to feel confident in their business skills. Wading through the sea of online technology options and aggressive marketing strategies can be overwhelming!  

I want to direct you to some resources that can help you start or grow a business or learn how to advocate for your needs at work.

If you want to grow a business

• Free Webinar: Reach Financial Freedom: Growing a Heart-Centered Online Business You Love

• Online Course: How to Grow a Heart-Centered Business (includes 8-week free trial to our HSPs in Business Group)

• Group: HSPs in Business

• Get referrals: from our HSP Practitioners Directory and our HSPs in Business Directory

• Get listed on our HSPs to Interview Directory to help others find you

• Host an event in our community

• Write for the HSP Blog

If you want to learn what works for HSPs

Watch some of our trainings (located inside the HSPs in Business Group within our Sensitive Empowerment Community) Here are a few examples…

• Choosing a Career or Business Fit for HSPs with Val Nelson

• Grow Multiple Sources of Income

• How to Discover Your Innate Ability and Expertise to Coach as an HSP with Willow McIntosh

• Confidence, Mindset, Leadership in Business

• Websites, Marketing, Self-Employment Tips

• Redefining our Relationship with Money with the Sarah McCrum

• and more

You are not alone. I invite you to explore these resources that have been so helpful for HSPs. Your gifts are needed in the world, and you can reach your dreams and live your life to the fullest by doing what you love in a way that works for you as a highly sensitive person. ❤️

Julie Bjelland is the founder of Sensitive Empowerment, author of The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person, and host of The HSP Podcast. Her Sensitive Empowerment Community, online courses, blog, and free webinars have helped thousands of highly sensitive people (HSPs) worldwide reduce their challenges, access their gifts, and discover their significant value. Julie loves connecting in her community and warmly invites you to join this positive, safe, inclusive, and welcoming space. Find all her resources JulieBjelland.com❤️🌈❤️ (she/her)