Our Nervous Systems Never Consented to This by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

“We weren’t designed to process global tragedy at breakfast, respond to work emergencies at dinner, and fall asleep doomscrolling at night.
Our nervous systems never consented to this arrangement.”
— Michell C. Clark

When I read these words, my whole body responded. A full-body yes.

This is the quiet truth many of us carry every day. Especially those of us who are sensitive, autistic, or neurodivergent, navigating a world that asks far too much of our systems without ever asking what we need.

We are living in a time of constant input. Breaking news alerts. Emails pinging late into the evening. Scrolling through suffering on tiny screens. Our nervous systems are flooded with more information than they were ever meant to hold. For many of us, the result is chronic stress, shutdown, irritability, emotional overwhelm, or burnout that feels like it's always waiting around the corner.

And we internalize the idea that we should somehow be able to keep up.
That if we’re struggling, it must be a personal failure.

But it’s not a failure.
It’s your nervous system saying no to an arrangement it never agreed to.

The Truth About Sensitive and Neurodivergent Systems

Sensitive nervous systems tend to be more finely tuned. We feel more. Notice more. Process more. But we also need more time, more spaciousness, more quiet to recover.

This doesn’t make us weak. It makes us different.

And in a culture of constant urgency, noise, and pressure, those differences are often pathologized instead of honored.

The way we work, consume, connect, and even rest has shifted dramatically over the last decade. And many of these changes happened so gradually we didn’t notice the toll until we were already deep in it.

Sleep issues. Health crashes. A growing sense of disconnection.
It’s no coincidence.

We are not meant to keep going through everything.

Reclaiming Consent for Your Nervous System

What would it look like to reclaim consent for your own system?

To say: “No, I won’t read the news first thing in the morning.”
“No, I can’t respond to messages after dinner.”
“No, I’m not available to carry everyone else’s emotions today.”

And instead say:
“Yes, I will protect my peace.”
“Yes, I will prioritize my sensory needs.”
“Yes, I will honor what my body is telling me.”

We can’t always opt out of everything. But we can consciously choose what we let in, how much we process, and when we pause.

This is how we begin to recover. Not by pushing through, but by listening. By noticing when our system says, “This is too much,” and responding with compassion instead of shame.

The Power of Micro Joys

One of the most powerful ways we begin to build resilience is by intentionally inviting in micro joys.

Micro joys are small, sensory-rich moments that reconnect us with the present. A warm cup of tea in your favorite mug. The sound of birds at sunrise. A gentle breeze on your skin.

These moments are not frivolous—they are essential.

From a scientific standpoint, micro joys support the parasympathetic nervous system, helping us shift out of chronic fight, flight, or freeze. They create small windows of regulation and peace, which, over time, build our capacity to hold more without breaking down.

When we regularly experience even a few of these moments each day, we begin to reclaim a sense of agency and calm in a chaotic world. And the more consistently we build in these micro joys, the more we strengthen our ability to move through stress and stay connected to what matters most.

Finding Balance Before Action

In my Toolbox course, I guide you through building a nervous system care routine that helps restore balance through daily practices tailored for sensitive and neurodivergent systems. This balance is the foundation. Without it, we risk burnout. With it, we have the energy to live with more intention, connection, and purpose.

Once your system has enough spaciousness, you may notice a desire to take action in the world. To make a difference in the areas that matter most to you.

But we can’t fix everything.
And trying too often leads to collapse.

What we can do is choose one thing.
One area that speaks to our heart. One step that feels meaningful and doable.

It might be volunteering, creating, writing, mentoring, organizing, advocating, or simply offering kindness in your everyday life.

Ask yourself gently:
What is one thing I can do to make a difference?
Not out of urgency or guilt, but from a grounded place of strength and care.

You Are Not Alone in This

If you’d like support as you reconnect with your nervous system, explore your purpose, and grow your resilience, I invite you to join the Sensitive Empowerment Community.

Together, we are building the strength that comes from belonging, regulating, and aligning with who we truly are. And from that strength, we can each make a difference—not by doing everything, but by doing something that matters.

You are needed. And the world is better when your nervous system is honored.

Take a moment to reflect:

• What does your nervous system need right now?

• What is one small thing you could do today to support your wellbeing—or to offer a moment of care to the world around you?

• What would it feel like to choose just one action—no matter how small—that supports your healing or creates a ripple of goodness?

• What feels available to you today?

• What is one thing you can do that could make a positive difference, for yourself or someone else?

If you’d like support in exploring these questions and growing your resilience in community, come join us in the Sensitive Empowerment Community, where together we rise, restore, and create meaningful change.

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Julie Bjelland, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. She is known for developing innovative, easy-to-implement tools that help balance the sensitive nervous system, reduce challenges, and empower individuals to excel in their unique talents. Julie has created a global hub of support, including online courses, the Sensitive Empowerment Community—a nurturing sanctuary for sensitive and neurodivergent individuals—a globally top-ranked podcast, articles, free webinars, and more. Her passion is helping to create a world where differences are embraced as strengths and celebrated. Learn more at JulieBjelland.com.

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