Stop being so sensitive.
You are so hard to get close to.
Silence.
If you need me, I will be hiding in the most recent plant based cook book, literary novel with full life characters or dreaming and concocting ways to change a tiny solo life. I might be engrossed in travel videos, dreaming my life away. Tiny house? Conversion van? Travel and never stop? Many might not understand this goal of surviving a pandemic when it doesn’t make sense what the reasons are for staying.
You see, orchid children have a difficult time from birth onward to make sense in the world. Beyond sensitive, the world is not easy to navigate. Starting with the unknown. Avoiding conflict. Trying to please everyone so that no one sees the cracks. Filling the cracks with as much fluff as possible to avoid the loneliest place on earth. Striving to be seen. Trying to be heard without rocking the boat, tiptoeing and navigating through unknown waters sends an orchid child into retreat where time is spent overthinking, desperately trying to normalize any given situation. Traversing the waters of insecurity and the promise of hope rolled into one small, neat package.
Hence, a pandemic reads it’s ugly head, protests are running rampant, fireworks are set off nightly, the news is horrid and the orchid child waits, in silence, head bent, waiting for someone, anyone to show up and say they care. A few do. The adult knows that others are struggling also. It is not easy navigating through a pandemic. And it’s knowledge that assists with the slow, steady crawl to acceptance.
Orchid children are highly sensitive, are in the minority, and are sensitive to both good and bad. They are biologically reactive and have a difficult time coping with anything stressful. They have higher levels of cortisol and fight or flight reactivity. As an adult in a pandemic, this response grips sleep, creates wakefulness and cravings for comfort foods, good books, art and literature. Drive through coffee becomes regular just to feel somewhat normal and connected to the world.
Orchid children can and do learn how to maneuver through these difficult times. Keeping a good schedule of self care and reaching out is important. It’s the reaching out that gives an adult orchid child pause. It’s just easier not to.
So, bloom carefully, orchid child. Stay in the present. It’s going to be ok. Surround yourself with sunshine, dandelion people who thrive and care.
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