I can definitely relate. But it all depends on my mood and how tired I am. Like if it's later on in the evening, and I've taken my shower, and gotten things ready for the next day, etc., I don't mind. But if it's like 7:00, I feel overwhelmed.I'm pretty good on the phone though. I don't mind it at all.

Thanks for your input SweetPetite. You have given me some ideas - like turning off my telephone at those times when I am feeling overwhelmed.

In my morning journaling this morning, I realized that there is an added element of a sense of dread when the telephone rings. I have received a lot of bad news through the years and when the telephone rings, there is still a part of me that fears for another round of bad news.

I've decided to try a new behavior - turning off my smartphone when I know I am "cooked" as well as in the morning when I am having my journaling/meditation time. If I have started my day with uninterrupted journaling/meditation time, I can better handle anything that comes my way.

Yes that's a good idea. I get very apprehensive when my phone is not with me. And I only turn off the volume at night. I have a daughter who lives in another state and I feel like I always need to be available if she calls me, plus I have a business, and people text me all the time-early morning and even at night sometimes.

hey yall ! .. yea , I can relate .. although my avoiding phone calls , or in my case , any personal interactions , has mostly made me feel guilty and different .. my friends and co-workers seem to be able to go from work mode right into their personal lives without missing a beat .. where as I on the other hand , more days than not , need a break in between . a little time to absorb the day ive had and to refocus on the next part of my day ..

being new to this whole HSP thing , im seeing how my feeling guilty about my need to take breaks like that is wrong . im trying to accept and embrace myself and my traits and needs , and see them in a more positive light ..

Hi Songbird,

I can relate to everything you are saying. My workaround is that I never answer my phone. I usually let it go to voicemail and then I call back people when I am ready or prepared to talk to them. Some people who know and accept me don't think anything of it. Some would get upset but then they get used to it.

I dread those conversations from relatives that are filled with gossip and ideas that don't sit well with my spirit.

I've decided that small talk with one person that I have a connection with is okay. We discuss things that aren't important (pens, paper products, and things like that) but it's not draining. We've talked about deep things before and sometimes those trivial topics are a way to bond without going too deep.

Oh, this may not be popular but I prefer texting. I text with two people from time to time. Usually, they'll text that they are going to call. I prefer written communication in all forms.

Eric, I definitely relate to needing time to transition from work life to personal life. I cherish my alone time in between the two. Guilt over doing things differently than others is something that I continue to struggle with. Discovering that I am a HSP certainly helped alleviate a great amount of guilt, but not all of it. Daily journaling and therapy twice a month is part of the on-going maintenance I do to be a better, happier me.

Seasilver, I like the idea of not answering the telephone, letting it go to voicemail and then returning the call on my terms. I don't think I have ever been a fan of the telephone. I much prefer texting as well. Something that adds to the feeling that a telephone conversation is "work" is that often with a cellphone, there are pauses and delays that I don't know whether are attributed to cellphone delays, lost service or just a drop in the conversation by the person on the other end of the line. For most of my life, I have taken it upon myself to fill in the ackward pauses and silences in conversation; and the older I get, the less energy I have to do so.