When I first was told that I might be gifted, I was 10 years old. It was my sister who kept telling my parents about it. But none of us were comfortable with the label, so we all ignored it. When I discovered I was an HSP, two friends reached out and questioned me about potentially being gifted. I cringed.
"I'm not gifted; I'm so dumb." "I struggle way too much in life to be gifted." "If I were that gifted, I'd be good at everything I do, and I'm not."
Yet, when I read about the concept of the Rainforest Mind, I laughed pretty hard. This was the literal description of myself: me and my hyperactive brain, me and my hundred passions, me and my intense emotions, my struggles in my relationships, my need for depth in everything, my awkwardness, my need for connection, and my unbearable loneliness.
It won't be a surprise if I tell you that the first question that came after was :
What do I do now that I know I might be gifted or have a Rainforest Mind?
In my opinion, the secret to those labels isn't in the labels themselves. It's in the opportunities they offer for you to understand yourself better & get to love yourself the way you are. So here are some resources I personally found interesting & helpful in this new adventure of self-acceptance as a Rainforest Mind.
Best books on Giftedness in Adults / Rainforest Mind
The first place I found answers, understanding & belonging was in books. Here is my top 6 :
Your Rainforest Mind or Journey Into Your Rainforest Mind (RFM) from Paula Prober. It's, for me, the best starting point. If you're curious about it, read my full book recommendation.
The Gifted Adult by Mary-Elaine Jacobsen : This is a complete guide on giftedness and by far one of the most comprehensive books I've found in English. I like how Paula Prober makes it simple and less intimidating with the concept of RFM, but I really loved the depth and history Mary-Elaine Jacobsen brings in with the concept of giftedness.
The Highly Sensitive Person - by Elaine Aron : Because high sensitivity is often associated with giftedness, I couldn't not mention this book. Elaine Aron is the person who originated this concept, and discovering there was a name for how much I felt literally changed my relationship with myself. If you feel a lot and get very overwhelmed easily, you might want to dive into this part of yourself too :)"
Books in French: Surprisingly, I have found more interesting books on this subject in French than in English. Even though some of you might not be able to read French, I still found it important to share them with you, just in case ;)
La Femme Surdouée by Monique de Kermadec, Being a gifted adult who wasn't 'diagnosed' as a child can be unsettling, but being a gifted woman is very different from being a gifted man. The circumstances we grow up in impact us differently. While our struggles may have a common ground, our experiences growing up are often very different. This book really helped me understand the 'why' behind my inability to relate to the stereotype I had about gifted kids and 'why' I felt invisible for so many years. I highly recommend this book.
Mon Cerveau est Hyper par Cathy Assenheim. Another favorite. The author's work is more focused on the neuroscience behind the brains of highly sensitive people and gifted individuals. It's full of simple explanations and tools to manage general overwhelm. It really helped me become more compassionate with myself and accept all aspects of myself when I learned that this character trait wasn't my fault, but simply the way my brain is wired!
Je pense trop par Christel Petitcollin. If you're an overthinker, this book is for you. The author shares insights and tools to help you reach a more balanced and peaceful life while also helping you accept the beauty in this hyperactive mind.
Set out on a new self-discovery adventure
Now that you know, forget about it all & explore who you are. Try journaling, creative expression, meditation. Go travel solo for a while. Try scary things. Stretch out of your comfort zone. Write. Dance. Create Art. Play Music or try improv'. Sign up to a pottery class, craft in you room, repaint your living room or make your own clothes. Start climbing, hiking, camping, go running. Spend some time outside in nature. Start dating yourself! Give yourself a challenge, try things you always wanted to try, and things you've always been scared of.
Use that label to get to know yourself but don't get stuck in it. You're much more than you think!
Find your support system as a gifted adult - RFM
I got lucky as I discovered these concepts thanks to two friends who reached out to me while I was sharing about my high sensitivity on this blog. Both of them have Rainforest Minds, and by reaching out to me, they opened the doors to less loneliness. It was two years ago, and even if we aren't close or talking every day, knowing they exist has helped me reach out to them in times of despair.
Before you feel helpless, let me remind you that finding the right support system is going to take time. It requires some exploration, but to me, it is key to finding self-acceptance. Find people who can relate, who can validate you because they understand and have felt just the way you feel.
Look for Facebook Groups, Instagram accounts, Online communities, Therapists or Life Coaches specialised in Gifted Adults & HSP. Try different options, and remember that finding the right match takes time. It's important to find professionals who understand the nuances of giftedness so they can provide personalised support & guidance tailored to your specific needs. It took me 4 therapists before I found someone who could fully understand me & make some room for my special way of functioning! Don't give up!!!
Feeling accepted, seen & understood is truly what will set you on your healing path with radical acceptance, self-compassion & self-love. If you need someone who can support you on this path, please reach out. Book you free discovery call with me, and let's make a plan to help you reach your full potential & simply love yourself as you are.
Love.
Co
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