Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Did Not Finish - Chapter 5 of 15. I give up. So far not what I was looking for. I know I'm not "flawed" and my self-esteem is fine. What I was hoping to find here are ways to improve interactions with others, including hopefully ways to help them understand and accept I am not like them, but not "broken" or needing to "try harder" to be more like them. This book so far has been all over the place. It's talking about "highly sensitive" to outside stimuli, but then talks about sensitivity in regards to being caring and nurturing, as if those things are the same or always go together - which is untrue. It also paints non-HSPs in a bad light, as those prone to aggressive, even violent, behavior, uncaring about environmental issues, the evil corporate CEO, etc. Makes it sound like the author thinks all social liberals are HSPs, who are loving, nurturing, caring and peaceful people and all social conservatives are non-HSPs and evil warmongers out to destroy the environment. Sorry, but I don't think highly sensitive introverts are all in one political box, nor do I think all those who are not sensitive to outside stimuli, or enjoy it, are all evil, uncaring, unfeeling people. This book so far is a mess. It's mixing up meanings of "sensitive" as if they're all interchangeable, and throwing in political stereotypes and even some religious new-agey stuff. Yes, those of us who are highly sensitive to outside stimuli and are more easily overwhelmed can also be sensitive emotionally, but those things still are not the same thing nor interchangeable. Nor are extroverts who are not sensitive to outside stimuli always insensitive, uncaring people. How about we embrace differences, rather than try to help and empower those of us who are different from the majority by making insulting generalities about those who are different from us? At chapter 5 the only thing remotely helpful it's said is to advise to mute commercials when watching TV as commercials are intended to be highly stimulating. Everything else so far either doesn't apply to me (even though I scored high on the test included), is insulting and generalities to non-HSP people, contradictory or obviously false. There are strengths and weaknesses to both, and we need both sorts in our world. We should be respectful and appreciative of differences. I'm giving up. I recommend "The Introvert Advantage: How Quiet People Can Thrive in an Extrovert World" instead. It's much better and more helpful IMO. Here are some thoughts I had while reading: *I* need to create a harmonious work environment? Um, wanna talk to my BOSS please? Notes several things "you were probably told as a child..." that I wasn't. Claims a person who has noisy neighbors but refuses to look for a new place to live secretly feels they deserve it - ignoring how stressful moving is, particularly on those who are "sensitive". So far things either don't apply to me or don't really help - and I scored high on the "test". Non HSPs are less nurturing? Dunno how much more I can take. I think the author is confused about what kind of book she wanted to write. Oh, and NOW the author admits non-HSPs can be caring and considerate, and HSPs aren't always. This is confusing and contradictory. "It's the HSP whose sensitivity helps create restrictions on smoking, pollution and noise." Huh? So, only the "highly sensitive" (and we're not talking caring here) care about that stuff? Not buying it. I dunno about this book. Sorry, but I believe whether or not someone is "sensitive" to outside stimuli has zero to do with if they care about the environment, or whether or not they're willing to fight wars (or good at living peaceably with others), or vote in anti-smoking laws. It's like it's painting non-HSP people as war mongering anti-environment anti-health prone. I don't buy it. This is really bothering me. States soldiers are "non-HSP" and "counselors and artists" are "mostly HSP", and that "as a matter of fact, if there were more HSPs we would probably live in a healthier world with less war, environmental devastation, and terrorism". Yeah, because it's only "HSP" people who care about living peaceably with others and the environment. And claims HSPs are to thank for anti-smoking laws. It's only "progressives" that value sensitivity? *Nice* political propaganda. And the author is mixing up sensitivity to over stimulation with gentleness, as if they always go together or are interchangeable. That's a bit of a mess.