sensitive coach's pHiloSoPhy by Gillian Gabriel

The Warmest of Welcomes from My Heart to Yours

Dear Sensitive Soul,

Welcome to the sensitive coach’s pHiloSoPhy, the empathic writing, courageous sharing and beautiful community from me, Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and Coach, Gillian Gabriel.

It all seems quiet, calm, and peaceful on my blushing outer shell; while my inner life is rich, complex, electricity sparking! My body feels everything all at once. Absorbing every tiny detail, through all six of my senses. Constantly. Intensely.

I cry to the words in songs, the whisper and sigh of a soft bow on strings steal my breath. I feel the emotions of another in my heart and on my skin, the kindness of you causes my tears to swell, causes something to swirl.

Nature’s symphony and palette moves me - oh the sunrise and sunset - the joy, the sorrow! I need to be with the trees, why wouldn’t I touch them, when they touch me so? Wildflowers and woodland walks throughout the seasons are my oxygen.

I find it hard to cope when the radio and TV are on at the same time. I pray for a seat in the quiet train carriage, I relish peace and quiet, the bone soothing balm of sweet silence.

I have a million thoughts fizzing at once. Continuous cognitive crunching and collating. Deeply. Rarely pausing. Non. Stop. My danger radar is constantly on alert. Self-doubt, anxiety and fear can be close companions. They can take over if I carelessly squander my self-compassion and self-belief.

I process things exceptionally deeply on the way into and inside my brain, and I can find myself on a knife edge between being over-stimulated and overwhelmed. Like Fiver the rabbit, in the fantasy adventure novel Watership Down, written by Richard Adams, I intuitively know how things will/won’t work out and invariably, I’ve been told, I am usually right.

I see the patterns of the world through a deep beautiful kaleidoscope. I always wondered what was wrong with me. Until I learnt, there is everything right, and I realised I am also creative, imaginative, intuitive, empathic, lovely, and beautifully sensitive. Perhaps, just like you.

I am an introverted Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) with Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS). Something I am now proud of after too long of being embarrassed and ashamed about.

And the most important thing for you to know about me is this: I see you, I hear you, I feel you; soulful, sensitive you…

Welcome to the sensitive coach’s pHiloSoPhy. I’m so glad you’ve arrived.

Valuing and believing in ourselves, seeing our strengths, skills, gifts, worth, beauty - maximising those for good, pleasure, love, joy and connection - ours and others, matters hugely to me.

It hurts me to witness, and experience, difference being used to create borders between us. Especially around gender, sexuality, mental health and neurodivergence; those closest to my very being.

I wish I could burn the manmade creation of difference for the purpose of power over others. I wish I could ignite a passion in others to share power with our particular flavour of being human, and to respect our needs, preferences, wants and best environments to thrive.

I live a life’s work sort of life. A life with ups and downs, a real life, full of so much joy and of course sorrow which is also swirled with beauty and love. My own inner life’s work on and with(in) myself is a mirror image, a reflection, of my life’s work with others.

I believe my struggles are sent to help me learn, develop and grow, and in doing so I can be with others as they do their life’s work with themselves too. I am destined to be empathetically in service of my Self and others. And will always be a work in progress.

It was through my fascination with words that I learnt later in life that I am an exceptionally sensitive person. It was my highly sensitive friend’s tongue that those letters - HSP - first tiptoed off. They crept forward and caressed my curiosity. One thing led to another. I, of course, turned to books to learn more, and then everything made sense.

I think that was when my desire to build the sensitive coach’s pHiloSoPhy reading, writing and sharing community was first sparked inside me, even if I didn’t know it at the time. Being able to connect as fellow sensitive souls, in the way that my sensitive friends and I do, is what I want for you too. I can’t do this thing called life without them, and I realise none of us were ever meant to.

So much fun to hear this read in your voice. This poem is filled with the music of alliteration and onomatopoeia. It practically sings of “be who you are”, and I see you’ve created such a space for yourself and others.

~ Sharon Norris, Sharonsoulosojourns

Here in the sensitive coach’s pHiloSoPhy I write vulnerable, brave, daring poems, stories and personal essays about the beautiful bittersweet experience of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).

Oh Gillian, you have a beautiful voice. I listened as I read along… noticing the very tender moments. It feels so very, very authentic… Thank you for this offering.

~ Moira Haagen, Pursuing the Pause…

I share the wonder of words to express, release and make sense of sensitivity and the HSP trait. To see the magic, beauty and benefits to being a sensitive soul; working with, not against, the challenges.

I almost don’t know what to say about this piece. You are such a talented writer and this is perhaps the very best I have read of your work so far. It is evocative, powerful, painful, insightful, poignant and I can feel the movement of your energy and processing as it evolves. Love, love, love!

~ Tracy Sinclair, When the Masks Fall Away

I offer a home for community - a calm safe space where sensitive souls can come together, be held, breathe, belong. Normalising, supporting, and empowering - sensitive souls can feel understood and witnessed.

Oh my gosh your words are totally sumptuous to my soul! Wildly alive with the magic savage energy of fire, illuminating the many powerful ignitions you have undergone and carry now for all of us to benefit from - thank you so much for splashing your magic!

~ Anna Luard, Heart broken wide open

Being vulnerable, brave and daring is the thing I find hardest to be, and it’s my aspiration in life. I need to do it to be it. To embody it, to live it. To become it. While being my true authentic sensitive self in service of others; respectful, mindful, compassionate while encouragingly challenging and empowering.

I can see why you are so perfectly aligned with your work.

~ Beth Kempton, SoulStack

I am super excited to reveal here that later this year I’ll open the covers wide to the next chapter for the sensitive coach’s pHiloSoPhy - exclusive membership and exciting subscriptions to come!

The Gold Orchid subscription is so gorgeous! Shhh… don’t tell everyone, these will be super special and very limited. I’m a quality, rather than quantity, kind of a girl after all. So keep checking in, you won’t want to miss out.

You may enjoy my exclusive share here each week in the sensitive coach’s pHiloSoPhy where I post a sweet haiku to simply be enjoyed in a fleeting precious micro pause, or savoured during a meandering moment as a writing prompt, or to be bathed in for longer in a space to journal whatever it ripples in you.

These haikus are from my forthcoming little book, Heartbeat Sized Poems - haikus - for Highly Sensitive People, due to be published this year. These are moments captured of how I experience the sights, sounds, scents, textures and flavours of nature through the seasons. As a subscriber you’ll be among the first to hear when it’s launched so, if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe here so you don’t miss out:

In the meantime, please enjoy this heartbeat sized poem - haiku - especially for you:

I am a published poet with four of my poems (pinch me!) appearing in Poetry for Coaching: Transformation Through Verse.

The simple act of an initial flick and a glance through this book immediately cemented its value for me. Within moments, I was transported, engaged, and curious; within seconds I felt resonance and familiarity. I felt understood, seen and uplifted. Within minutes I could see how this book would be of value to me over and over again.

~ Tracy Sinclair, MCC Coach, Coach Educator, Author

Poetry for Coaching is a unique anthology bringing together poems and the often moving, beautifully vulnerable stories entwined with them, written by coaches, counsellors and therapists.

The writers share their poems and also the stories behind their writing, their personal struggles with life’s challenges and their triumphs. Poems engage our hearts and minds. They speak to our experiences, our fears and our hopes. Poems and stories can make learning experiences memorable and help us to see more clearly and better understand our own life and the lives of others.

~ Kim Morgan, MCC Coach, Founder & Chairperson of Barefoot Coaching Ltd

You can find out more about Poetry for Coaching here.

This collection of poetry is a profound expression of the internal world of each author. Triggered by life events – loss, separation, fear and emotional rollercoasters – the writers elegantly express their own feelings and vulnerabilities. They encourage you, the Reader, to stop, be still, be present, and notice moment to moment the richness and fullness of the world around you.

~ Brandon Bays, Founder of The Journey Method, International Best-Selling Author

I am the founder of The Stars Are Aligned Coaching, where I work with sensitives (whether HSPs or not) navigating life and work in a world not always conducive to our needs, to overcome self-doubt, anxiety and overwhelm; and instead experience consistent confidence, calm and clarity.

Gillian is a fantastic coach. She was the perfect mix of a great listener, and a great question poser! She helped me to find the answers I needed by making me dig a little deeper within myself. She’s also incredibly kind and warm; my coaching took place at a time when I was facing personal difficulties and I’ll always remember Gillian’s kindness and empathy. As a result of our coaching I feel more confident in and out of work.

~ Kirsten Cooper

As an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC), a qualified Coaching Supervisor and Coach Mentor, with a 26 year corporate background in leadership, Human Resources (HR) and Learning & Development (L&D), I combine my passion for mental wellbeing, positive psychology, personal development and growth with the power of sensitivity and my love of words.

I worked with Gillian through a significant period of professional transition. She is exceptionally attentive, intuitive, warm and present in her coaching style. She is 100% client centred in her approach and takes you where you need to go. I felt clearer and stronger through our work together.

~ Rosie Stanbury

I’ve written from personal experience about how coaching, a deep learning experience, the right coach who brings genuine unconditional positive regard, and the gifts of being an HSP can come together in a beautiful braid of transformation for the sensitive client. You can read Embodying the Mindset that HSP Clients are Creative, Resourceful and Whole here.

From the moment I began my coaching journey with Gillian, she created a safe, supportive space that allowed me to explore personal and professional dilemmas with honesty. Her patience, thoughtful and thought provoking questioning parallel her ability to hold space for deep reflection making each session deeply impactful. Her skill in uncovering what truly matters - often beyond what I initially believed - was invaluable. Having the right coach is essential, Gillian was that coach for me: insightful, empowering, and always attuned to my journey.

~ Debora Wood

It has taken courage, a few big deep breaths, and having you, dear Sensitive Soul, in my heart and mind to write this About section (and I know you’ll understand how that feels…). I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me a little better.

I’m looking forward to continuing our new connection as I share more of my words with you - for now please continue to make yourself at home, you are safe and oh so welcome here.

I’d love it if you were to introduce yourself so I can get to know you a little bit too. If that feels comfortable for you, feel free to send me a direct message to say hello.

Always be vulnerable, brave and daring…

Sensitively yours,

Gentle Gillian x

To explore working with me, please feel welcome to book an initial (free) call by clicking here.