The “What Do I Need Most Right Now?” Printable & Lock Screen

For the first 45 years of my life, I ignored my body’s signals and stuffed my emotions.

Because all that stimuli felt waaaaaay too overwhelming.

Then I discovered that being a Highly Sensitive Person is “a thing.”

That I’m actually supposed to listen to my body and learn from my emotions.

Discerning what my HSP body and brain need in the moment has been one of the hardest skills for me to learn as an HSP.

It’s taken lots of intentional practice … and a growing collection of super-practical tools.

One of my all-time favorite tools is this seemingly-simple question:

“What do I need most right now?”

• to be helped
• to be heard
• to be hugged

Answering this question before I reach out for support is so clarifying. It prevents me from expecting anyone to “read my mind” or automatically know what I need. And it helps me pick the best person to reach out to based on my specific need.

After all, some of the people who love me are great at brainstorming solutions and making things happen. Some are great at serving as my sounding board and holding space. Some are great at making me feel safe and calm.

So when I ask and answer the question “What do I need most right now?” before reaching out for support, I’m setting us all up for success.

Best of all, I can easily flip this question when someone reaches out to me for support.

I can ask:

“What do YOU need most right now?

• to be helped
• to be heard
• to be hugged

And then I can provide what they actually need (or help them find someone who can) rather than assuming or guessing.

You can keep this question handy by downloading the full-page printable, the quarter-page printable, and the lock screen.

You might put a copy in your wallet, in your Bible, on the fridge, on your mirror, by your computer … and, of course, on your phone.

I’d love to hear how it works for you!