December 30, 2007
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Not exactly an infomercial…
I don’t typically use this platform to “promote” or otherwise endorse people or products, but every now and then something crosses my path that I see as having the potential to significantly improve or positively affect the lives of people I care about; people who are members of “my tribe” of fellow HSPs, empaths and other gentle souls.
Many HSPs (and other folks, for that matter) have skin sensitivities and many have experienced the irritation of “scratchy labels” and uncomfortable clothing. Some of you are parents with sensitive or “fussy” kids– and perhaps struggle to find clothing they are happy wearing. This may be especially true if your child is autistic. Perhaps you have also have found it difficult to find comfortable clothing for yourself.
This morning, I got a note from an acquaintance who not only has an idealistic spirit, but also something else. She has an idea for a fledgling business which I realized could be of considerable positive impact for many people, but especially HSPs: She is designing and starting a line of “soft clothing” specifically for people with sensitive skin. Although her intended niche market (at least to begin with) is children with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and a range of skin sensitivities, this is also a series of products that would appeal directly to many others, and might eventually include lines for adults, as well.
As I read her idea, I was reminded of how “fussy” I was about clothing, as a kid. I “made” my mom cut all the labels out of my shirts, pitching “fits” when something felt scratchy. Of course, she complied only under duress, but still.
The reason I am writing this is not because I am asking anyone to go BUY something; goodness knows, we’ve just had the “expensive season.” Jessica (whose idea this is) is actually part of a “seed money contest” sponsored by Advanta Banking Services. In The New American Idol Fashion of our times, the idea with the most “thumbs up” votes wins the start-up capital for their idea.
We often talk about how it’s “part of being an HSP” to be idealistic and to want to change the world, and to make a difference.
Here’s an opportunity to do just that.
This is very short notice, I realize– the current contest ends at midnight on December 31st, so you need to act NOW.
If you believe this sounds like a “worthy” idea, please take a couple of minutes to follow the link below and cast your vote for Jessica’s idea to become a reality:
Cast your vote!
The site will ask you to register before you can vote, which will take you all of 30 seconds. If you feel like adding an encouraging comment to her entry page as well, that would probably be appreciated, too.
To see Jessica’s web site, and more about “Soft Clothing,” go here (it’s still a bit “rough”):
http://www.softclothing.net/
Please take a moment to make a difference for someone’s home-grown idea. Consider it a vote for something that’s the exact OPPOSITE of Wal-Mart.
(we now return to our regularly scheduled programming)
Comments (15)
Wow, I didn’t know about this, but I seemed to fit the bill on the online tests I found.
I wonder, can a masochist be a HSP?
Thanks, I’ll checkout the site.
This is an amazing idea, certainly worth more than 30 seconds of my time. I’m still dealing with a child who doesn’t like the way most clothing feels.
Thanks for taking the time to promote it here, Peter.
Happy New Year!
What a grand idea! My grandson has a mild case of excema and so is always asking me to remove the tags out of his clothing. I myself have sensitive skin and like soft cottons and silks.
I’m all for soft, which is why I like fleece. This sounds like a good idea!
ryc…. yes, that rock was nice, but it still didn’t come to mind when I thought of ‘safe’ even though I was. I really don’t know why it was so difficult finding something safe and why it turned out being what it was. I almost thought it was a ‘between lives’ type thing.
*hugs* dear man! Happy 2008
Hey Peter! Thanks for your input on that white brick wall. Don’t know why it’s such a big deal to me, but it is. And I think I completely agree with you that it’s a little confusing to the eye, when you first look at it. I think it’ll be gone faster than 2007. :)
Also, I think that’s a pretty innovative idea, with the sensitive clothing situation too. How many other ways to soften things, issues for people who are highly sensitive to things. I think I’m a highly sensitive person also, just not a very enlightened one. I should probably put that down as something to work on in the coming year.
Peace, My Friend.
one more thing: back when i used to spend money on clothes (and had the funds to do so, heh), the first thing i’d do is come home and unstitch the label out of them. my nieces, who were at that age when labels meant everything to them, ha, used to freak out. “why would you take your label out, that’s why we buy them.” sheesh. kids.
np, I voted!
How bizare. I ONLY NOW JUST THIS MOMENT realized that my little 10 year old fiery, red headed, passionate, sensitive pisces, is more than likely HSP.
HOLY SHEET.
She used to have a sock “thing”. NO socks were good enough, too “lumpy” or “scratchy” or stretchy or not stretchy enough etc etc. It used to be a HUGE hassle to get socks on the kid.
Then we moved out here and she can go barefoot (with shoes, to school) 3/4 of the year without me losing my mom of the year standing. heh.
BUT she’s also figured out what she likes : super soft, stretchy socks.
My autistic Max, however, has a “pants” thing. Jeans are too rough, too tight. His fave is sweat pants, with softer sports pants being acceptable.
I myself only have a thing about how stuff feels, when it comes to my sheets.
Gotta be soft, and NO CRUMBS or bumps or whathaveyou.
ok i’ll go vote her up. great idea! sheesh.
what a great idea your friend has-as a former pain in the butt kid, turned pain in the butt adult, I so relate to these issues. part of it I’m sure is my ADHD, but I cannot tell you how many $$$ my parents and then myself have wasted on pretty clothes, socks, shoes, etc only to have them sit in the closet because they were itchy or didn’t feel good. I’m casting my vote for her.
ryc: I love the phrase ‘emotional vampire’. how perfectly appropriate. I also love the saying of “living passionately” as an excuse to behave badly and make an a** of yourself.
I hate scratchy tags. I have heard that there is actually a developing or secondary chakrah at the back of the neck where tags scratch. I wonder if that has something to do with how annoying tags are.
there are some labels now that are “built-in” to the fabric
might be a compromise for those cases when you need to keep some sort of instructions about washing/drying
this is a brilliant idea…..my daughter is a sensitive one, not on the extreme side but pretty fussy…i cast my vote.
I voted! As someone with freakishly sensitive skin (chances are my baby girl has it too,) I’m all for “soft clothing!”
Thanks for the info. I’ll visit the link and register when home later.
Would have been nice years ago when I had a child that whined and complained constantly about labels etc. She and I both to this day can only wear clothing washed in Tide. Any other laundry soap will make us itch. We spent many teary eyed mornings and her saying over and over…”It just doesn’t feel right.” regarding seams in clothing and especially on socks. I thought she was just a whiner…;)Now 23 and diagnosed recently as bipolar. Wonder if that’s connected in some way too?
I dropped by to wish you a wonderful New Year’s but see a post on HSPs, and yes, of course I can identify. There is even so little make-up I can wear, 99% of all moisturizers, for instance, cause varying degrees of stinging, burning, redness, it’s really quite insane – I am down to a French moisturizer that’s made with the purest spring water (apparently) and it’s the only one of all the hypoallergenic products that I didn’t react to when I recently endeavoured to find an eye and face cream. And only natural fibres, please. It is our spirits, also, refined and elegant and so very open to all the nuances of living, that need to be bundled in loving care…
Try to drop by again soon… perhaps I’m a little early for New Year’s? {sigh}
Great to see a comment by you! (gentle) hugs Brenda