How many of you guys said “me too” in response to Alyssa Milano’s viral tweet about being sexually harassed or assaulted?
Prompted by the Harvey Weinstein scandal and many celebrities sharing their stories, the “me too” movement has opened our eyes a bit more about the sad fact that harassment and assault are a cultural norm.
But it’s not usually culturally acceptable to talk about such things. When we feel uncomfortable with someone in our space, we’re supposed to just shrug it off and pretend to be okay with it. One of my Facebook friends said it so well:
“If you feel uncomfortable or ‘shaken,’ then it IS a big deal. We have shrugged these things off for too long, hoping not to rock the boat or appear too sensitive. And unfortunately that has been a disservice to our fellow women and our daughters coming up after us.”
Sound familiar?
As HSPs, we are used to questioning ourselves all the time about whether we are being “too” sensitive.
This is why I am so passionate about the need to define our boundaries. (And apparently, Alyssa is too.) As an HSP, clearly defining my boundaries has changed my life. It is so freeing to know that I get to decide what is acceptable and what is not acceptable – for me, in my space.
Now just because you define your boundaries doesn’t mean people won’t continue to violate them. Unfortunately, there are plenty of Harvey Weinsteins in the world.
But it does mean that I do NOT have to feel guilty for saying things like:
No.
Stop.
Enough.
I’m leaving.
That’s mine.
Get away from me.
Goodbye.
Women, especially Christian women, we need to know this: Being a kind and compassionate follower of Christ does not always mean “being nice.”
Sometimes it means doing everything in your power to stop enabling people to harm you.
Sometimes the most loving thing to do is to allow someone to face the natural consequences of their behavior.
So the next time we feel humiliated or violated – whether that person is raging or laughing at us – I challenge us all to tune into our sensitivity and honor it as our God-given protection.
Speak up, stand up, walk away, get an escort, call the police, or do whatever you need to do to keep your boundaries clear and feel safe.
And these little intuitions could be the moments when our high sensitivity could bless or even save a life! – Let’s pay attention to what’s happening to those around us, too. Remember, you are a mighty sensitive!