Good morning Molly, I work in the Ambulance Service. Not a Paramedic I'm a Patient transport supervisor. After a hip replacement in late 2023. I decided to go to a 4-day week. I'm off every Wednesday. It's been the best decision. After 36 years between here and Northern Ireland, it was time to make a choice. Yeah my wages took a wee hit, but I cut back. So totally worth it.
Good advice, Molly! As an HSP who suffered from burnout a few years ago with quite some aftermath, I can only support taking good care of yourself early on. These tips and changes can help a lot!
One of the most comforting things about getting older is realizing you don’t need to become someone else to be “right.”
For years, I thought I just had to push myself harder—say yes more often, go to more parties, be more outgoing. I believed that if I only forced myself out of my comfort zone often enough, I’d eventually start enjoying it.
But most of the time, I just ended up sitting somewhere, bored, counting the minutes—or drinking alcohol to make things more bearable. I thought that was normal. I even had friends who meant well, constantly encouraging me to be “a little braver,” “more open,” “less sensitive.” But their version of bravery never quite fit me.
It took me a long time to understand that there was nothing wrong with preferring quiet over chaos. That my sensitivity isn’t a weakness—it’s a guide. Today, I know what recharges me. I don’t drink anymore, not because I “shouldn’t,” but because I don’t need to. I don’t need to make situations feel better than they are.
Standing alone in a forest, breathing in the air after it rains—that’s enough. That’s joy. That’s me. And I’ve learned that this version of me doesn’t need fixing.
It's so nice having another HSP to relate to. I absolutely have to schedule regular quiet time for myself, each day in fact and it really helps so much. I love knowing that I can always rely on and look forward to my little hour to myself so that everything else doesn't feel too much.
Pursuing meaningful work is spot on to avoiding burnout. I've learned to recognize this within myself. So much burnout happens when doing misaligned work.
These are just great pieces of advice. As I more and more consider myself an HSP, I find that sometimes it is not easy to get on with my day-to-day, especially managing my time wisely. I am a PhD student in my final year, but I also work as a tour guide. Although I enjoy both of my roles immensely, I often feel the need to decline last-minute social invitations, as I simply don't have the strength after a full week. I particularly loved your advice to schedule in quiet time, I think that if I did this more often, I could feel more relaxed overall and actually focused and concentrated when needed. Thank you so much!
I think we have shared interests and experiences. I've just written a piece about empathy and it's got me thinking about the link between empathy & HSPs... have you got any thoughts around this?
This is such a lovely reminder to take care of myself. I think I've suffered from burnout on and off throughout my life (working jobs where I had to deal with a lot of people every day killed me) and I could definitely be much better at caring for myself. These are such great tips to get me started.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful and thoughtful piece from Molly Ella. Her writing captures something many sensitive people intuitively feel but don’t always have the language to express. If you're looking to extract simple, actionable tips from her approach to avoiding burnout, here’s a summarized list that reflects her gentle philosophy:
Very insightful piece! As a freelance translator, I do feel incredibly privileged for the freedom to manage my own schedule, and honestly, I really don't know where I would end up without it. Burnout very likely! Managing your own schedule is EVERYTHING.
Good morning Molly, I work in the Ambulance Service. Not a Paramedic I'm a Patient transport supervisor. After a hip replacement in late 2023. I decided to go to a 4-day week. I'm off every Wednesday. It's been the best decision. After 36 years between here and Northern Ireland, it was time to make a choice. Yeah my wages took a wee hit, but I cut back. So totally worth it.
That sounds like you were putting yourself first Karen, which is so wonderful to see! :)
Good advice, Molly! As an HSP who suffered from burnout a few years ago with quite some aftermath, I can only support taking good care of yourself early on. These tips and changes can help a lot!
Oh I'm so sorry to hear that Claudia! I hope you are in a better place now my lovely :)
Thank you, Molly, I'm getting there. :)
Thank you for this thought provoking post… ❤️
One of the most comforting things about getting older is realizing you don’t need to become someone else to be “right.”
For years, I thought I just had to push myself harder—say yes more often, go to more parties, be more outgoing. I believed that if I only forced myself out of my comfort zone often enough, I’d eventually start enjoying it.
But most of the time, I just ended up sitting somewhere, bored, counting the minutes—or drinking alcohol to make things more bearable. I thought that was normal. I even had friends who meant well, constantly encouraging me to be “a little braver,” “more open,” “less sensitive.” But their version of bravery never quite fit me.
It took me a long time to understand that there was nothing wrong with preferring quiet over chaos. That my sensitivity isn’t a weakness—it’s a guide. Today, I know what recharges me. I don’t drink anymore, not because I “shouldn’t,” but because I don’t need to. I don’t need to make situations feel better than they are.
Standing alone in a forest, breathing in the air after it rains—that’s enough. That’s joy. That’s me. And I’ve learned that this version of me doesn’t need fixing.
This is beautiful Ellen, thank you so much for sharing 💚
It's so nice having another HSP to relate to. I absolutely have to schedule regular quiet time for myself, each day in fact and it really helps so much. I love knowing that I can always rely on and look forward to my little hour to myself so that everything else doesn't feel too much.
It's so important! And there are a fair few HSP's in this community, so you are in the right place! :)
Pursuing meaningful work is spot on to avoiding burnout. I've learned to recognize this within myself. So much burnout happens when doing misaligned work.
It's not one I often see remarked upon but it really can be life-changing :)
These are just great pieces of advice. As I more and more consider myself an HSP, I find that sometimes it is not easy to get on with my day-to-day, especially managing my time wisely. I am a PhD student in my final year, but I also work as a tour guide. Although I enjoy both of my roles immensely, I often feel the need to decline last-minute social invitations, as I simply don't have the strength after a full week. I particularly loved your advice to schedule in quiet time, I think that if I did this more often, I could feel more relaxed overall and actually focused and concentrated when needed. Thank you so much!
I'm guilty of a last-minute cancel as well, but less and less now I've learnt to listen to myself a bit better and quiet time really does help!
Great post and the tips are spot on.
Nice piece Molly! From another Molly.
I think we have shared interests and experiences. I've just written a piece about empathy and it's got me thinking about the link between empathy & HSPs... have you got any thoughts around this?
My post, for reference. "Are you empathetic?"
https://livingintentionallyuk.substack.com/p/are-you-empathetic?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Thanks for sharing Molly!
I just took 4-6 weeks off Substack, and Facebook, and only allowed 15 mins a day on Instagram. I really needed the time away, and I read so much. 💜🤭
This is such a lovely reminder to take care of myself. I think I've suffered from burnout on and off throughout my life (working jobs where I had to deal with a lot of people every day killed me) and I could definitely be much better at caring for myself. These are such great tips to get me started.
I'm so glad you found this useful Mary! :)
Thank you for sharing. I feel this way too, although you are much more eloquent! Xx
Sound insights and advice Molly! I recently wrote and talked about burnout on Substack as it is a clinical special interest of mine.
Thank you for this informative helpful article!
Thank you for writing about this Molly! I very much relate, and I’m still learning how to work with my needs in the world we live in.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful and thoughtful piece from Molly Ella. Her writing captures something many sensitive people intuitively feel but don’t always have the language to express. If you're looking to extract simple, actionable tips from her approach to avoiding burnout, here’s a summarized list that reflects her gentle philosophy:
Very insightful piece! As a freelance translator, I do feel incredibly privileged for the freedom to manage my own schedule, and honestly, I really don't know where I would end up without it. Burnout very likely! Managing your own schedule is EVERYTHING.