Protecting Your Peace: Cultivating Autonomy + Sensitivities as Superstrength

Season 4
Written By Wellspringwords

Season 4 Episode 3

In this thought-provoking episode of Wellspringwords: The Podcast, Nkem engages in a reflective solo conversation on the subject of sensitivities, and how her personal transformation has shifted her perception of this often misunderstood concept. Where once the experience of sensitivity may have been destabilizing and overwhelming, Nkem explores how discernment and honoring our intuitive knowing can allow us to harness the power of our sensitivities and use them as a tool for living a happy, aligned, and integrous life. Scroll below for the topic timestamps.

Nkem describes sensitivity as a profound aspect of our being that can be overwhelming to the touch, to the extent that it becomes challenging to express or even endure. While the healing journey may unlock certain parts of ourselves, triggering anger, some individuals erroneously correlate sensitivity with this anger. In actuality, sensitivity is simply a natural reaction of our bodily systems, which can shut down when faced with intense emotions or experiences, leaving us unsure of how to process them. Some individuals attribute their sensitivities to their own experiences, while others associate it with those around them. However, as we enter into a transformative era, our sensitivities can become a source of strength and power. 

Nkem shares her personal experience, where sensitivity has truly become a trusted ally. It enables her to transition smoothly, understanding the fundamental aspects of life, setting priorities, being accountable for her goals, and even carefully curating the people, ideas, and experiences she lets into her life. Sensitivity, to her, is an essential part of the transformative process, a powerful tool that helps her protect herself and create a meaningful life journey.

“Sensitivities are trusted when purified and protected.”

Leading off from the transformative process, Nkem goes into discussing what it means to undergo the process of purification according to her own experiences. Creating a purified space around oneself is an essential step toward establishing a safe environment for growth and personal development. As Nkem shares, being around different individuals exposes us to diverse energies, egos, and personalities, which can be exciting and inspiring, but may also compromise our peace and wellbeing. Therefore, purifying our space is critical for setting boundaries and limiting toxicity from entering our lives. Sensitivity is an extension of our bodies, and we attract what we do not want to experience when we do not set clear intentions. Therefore, cultivating peace within ourselves is essential to purifying our sensitivities and creating a space where joy and positivity can thrive amongst the other human emotions and experiences that feel separate from joy and positivity.

In exploring the concept of inner autonomy, Nkem highlights the ways in which trauma and societal conditioning can strip away our sense of self-governance. However, by setting boundaries and taking ownership of our experiences, we can cultivate an inbuilt strength and intuition that allows us to navigate our lives with ease. By acknowledging and prioritizing our sensitivities, we can create a deeper understanding of ourselves and the methods needed to protect our peace. This shift in perspective not only allows us to access our true selves but also enables us to find joy in the midst of life's challenges. We find ease, not because everything in life always works, but because of the deeper reality that is trusting our capacities and understanding our methods on how to protect our peace. 

“If we allow doubt to come into the picture, it opens a hole that allows other ideas to plant themselves that aren't our own beliefs.”

Take a moment to allow yourself to deeply reflect as you tune into this compelling conversation.  Enjoy this episode in full and let us know if this conversation brought anything to mind or heart for you in a podcast review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser, on Instagram, or via email at bewell@wellspringwords.love. Be well!

Topic timestamps

0:10 - Introduction

1:47 - Jumping right into today’s topic: Sensitivities

2:58 - A different definition of “sensitivity”

5:50 - Boundary-setting as purification

11:16 - Reflecting on resonance in relationships

12:53 - Centering back to our inner autonomy

15:04 - Life becomes easier; you become stronger

18:07 - It takes some entitlement to cultivate our autonomy

20:14 - The influence of doubt in the cultivation of inner knowing

22:10 - Having a safe place for our sensitivities to be expressed + honored

24:42 - Feeling the fire is normal, and we need to feel it more

26:05 - Stay connected and dive into more!

References and resources mentioned in this episode

Find Nkem here:

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A space dedicated to holistic wellness through writing, through narrative reclamation and authentic storytelling. This is a space for healing, for feeling, for talking, and for seeing each other as we truly are, as we see ourselves, and as we want to be seen. 

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Practice as Part of Healing with Care