Your Sensitivity Is Needed When the World Feels Heavy by Julie Bjelland, LMFT
The world feels incredibly heavy right now. Rising living costs, healthcare barriers, discrimination, threats to human rights, and the suffering we witness around us can feel overwhelming, especially for highly sensitive and neurodivergent people who experience things so deeply.
In this heartfelt episode of The Sensitive & Neurodivergent Podcast, I'm reconnecting with you after some time away and sharing my own experiences with grief, significant life changes, and the emotional weight of navigating a world that can feel increasingly difficult.
I speak openly about my frustrations with healthcare systems, the challenges of being a highly sensitive, autistic, and ADHD (AuDHD) woman, and why I believe it's especially important right now to remember how much sensitive people contribute to the world.
I also share personal reflections on navigating grief as my children have moved away, finding comfort in nature, and learning to respond to intense emotions with self-compassion rather than self-criticism.
In this episode, we'll explore:
Why the world's suffering and injustice can feel especially overwhelming for sensitive and neurodivergent people
Why sensitive people matter and the important ways we contribute to the world
How self-compassion can help us navigate grief, emotional intensity, and difficult experiences
Simple ways to support our nervous systems through nature, grounding, and intentional daily care
Why finding people who understand us can create a powerful sense of belonging
I also share how our Sensitive & Neurodivergent Community has become such a meaningful source of connection, support, and belonging in my own life, and why I believe we need spaces like this now more than ever.
If you've been feeling exhausted, discouraged, overwhelmed, or heartbroken by what's happening in the world, I hope this episode reminds you that your sensitivity matters, your needs matter, and you deserve the same compassion you so freely offer others.
With love,
Julie 🩷
Learn more about our Sensitive & Neurodivergent Community at JulieBjelland.com.
About Julie Bjelland, LMFT
Julie Bjelland is a psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment Inc. She is a highly sensitive, late-discovered AuDHD woman dedicated to helping sensitive and neurodivergent people better understand themselves, care for their nervous systems, and experience greater self-acceptance and belonging.
Julie hosts The Sensitive & Neurodivergent Podcast and founded the Sensitive & Neurodivergent Community in 2019, a welcoming space for meaningful connection, understanding, and support.
She is the author of several books and is currently writing Autistic Women: A Clinician's Guide to Neurodiversity-Affirming Identification and Support for W. W. Norton.
Learn more at JulieBjelland.com.
When the world feels heavy, sensitive and neurodivergent people may feel overwhelmed by grief, injustice, and uncertainty. Join Julie Bjelland, LMFT, to explore why sensitivity matters, the healing power of self-compassion, nervous system care, and finding hope and belonging during difficult times.