Are You Feeling Drained, Disconnected, and Derailed By The State of Things?
The world feels relentless right now. It seems like a constant stream of horrific news, reactive emotions, and disruptive change. There’s little chance to settle down and catch your breath.
For highly sensitive people, this can feel like an especially chronic drain on the nervous system. And for those who care deeply and long to make a difference, it’s exhausting to keep going alone; especially when every day brings a fresh flood to process.
In The Haven, we make space, not just to process what’s happening for each of us, but to notice and gently question the cultural assumptions that can keep us stuck. We all carry hidden rules about how we “should” live, grow, and measure our worth. So much of modern personal development exacerbates this, subtly adding pressure by fueling comparison and a sense of competition that leaves us more disconnected than before.
Hi! I'm Andy. I began The Haven in 2014 as somewhere to connect what I was learning about high sensitivity with my creativity (my music, writing, and other reflections), and to invite others to join me to explore this stuff for themselves. Over time, it has turned into spot for following, noticing, and exploring together, with safety to share without fear of being misunderstood as we find ways to turn the fruits of our sensitivity back out into our world in our own creative ways.
This is a place to slow down, pause, and breathe. Inviting rest - not to escape life, but to creatively reorient our senses within it. We are forever learning to process life through simple generative practices, and developing confidence to express our responses alongside those who "get it".
You Are Not Broken, The World Is Just Abrasive
Does any of this sound familiar?
- The news hits you like a punch in the chest. You feel drained but can’t look away because you genuinely want to make things better.
- You care about justice, kindness, and the state of things, but the polarised certainty with which everyone seems to hold their views leaves you exhausted and unsure where to stand.
- You crave deep, thoughtful, nuanced conversation — not just hot takes and baseless provocation.
- You sense something creative stirring inside, but there’s no space or energy to explore what it might become.
- You’re navigating big life changes — relationships, work, finances, retirement — and feel unmoored, isolated, and unsure what to do next.
It’s not just the outside world that's loud...that noise seeps in.
We absorb messages that tell us to keep doing more, achieving more, optimising ourselves, “making the most” of every moment. But those demands are bottomless. There is always more to do, see, or strive for...and it’s draining.
The Haven grew out of my attempt to notice that noise, turn it down, and find a different way to reconcile my drive to learn, play, and make changes with a deep need for a peaceful spirit. I feel like I've found a pretty sweet spot over the years and I bring that energy to our shared refuge.
I want to encourage others to slow down, untangle the pressure to perform, and discover gentler, more creative ways to respond to the world...and make things happen in the ways that compel us. In realistic ways for their circumstances, temperament, and values.
What You Will Find Inside
This isn't somewhere to "fix" your sensitivity, change who you are, or optimise yourself for more machine-like efficiency. Rather, it is where, through gentle practices, conversations, and plenty of laughter, we explore the impact of those assumptions, habits, and pressures we have come to accept as normal. And we consider how we might engage a gentle rebelliousness to remain fully human and engaged with our senses in a world that doesn't make it easy.
When we connect with our natural pacing and rhythm, we can loosen the grip of cultural pressures that demand we do more, go faster, and keep striving.
Inside The Haven, you’ll find regular live gatherings to join if you wish, and a library of replays, forums, and collaborative projects to explore at your own pace - so you can engage in the way that suits you best. Active participation is always optional, with plenty of ways you can engage, learn, and grow whether or not you join our live gatherings.
Phrase Maze
A monthly live gathering where we take a familiar phrase or saying and look at it from fresh, surprising angles. You can join us live, catch the replay, or add your reflections in our forum - and even help collect ideas and artifacts in our growing community gallery.
Journal Circle
A short pause on Friday to reflect on the past week, anchor yourself ahead of the weekend, and reorient yourself for the next seven days. Join live to connect with us on Zoom, or simply use our Question For The Week to assist your own personal journal practice.
Zine
Coming To Our Senses is our collaborative monthly zine (with immersive audio edition) explores the theme we’ve been reflecting on together. You can contribute poems, images, essays, or simply read, listen, and let it spark new questions and insights.
Everyday Creativity
Pre-recorded videos, feature conversations and Q&A sessions where members share stories about stumbling on and developing creative practices in everyday life. These stories invite us to open the door and notice what’s quietly calling for our attention too.
Come and join us!
Interested but unsure if The Haven is the right fit for you (or if you're the right fit for The Haven)? These questions will help you work that out.
Ready to join? I'd love to welcome you in and show you around!
Current Member? Sign-in here
Want to Explore More? Start Here
Are you confused by the concept of "highly sensitive people" (HSPs) or looking to learn more about it?
The pace, values, and pressures of modern life can feel out of step with the natural rhythms and needs of a sensitive nervous system. HSP's process information deeply and absorb subtleties others ignore. Without space and time for it, this depth of processing can lead to a more significant impact from overstimulation.
Join me in our HSP Hub to learn more!
Have you ever felt like you're constantly adapting to fit moulds, expectations, and standards from a world not shaped for you?
Maybe you've grown used to masking your inner world to keep the peace. Or you've been told (or made to feel) you're "too sensitive," or "too much". So you adapt to comply, performing the person you're expected to be. Squashing down the parts that don't fit.
How does it feel to find your people? Join me on the benches to find out!
You might have found your way here in a moment of intensity. Maybe you’re overstimulated, disoriented, or grasping for some solid ground.
Or maybe you've drifted into a state of numbness and disconnection and you're looking for a way back to yourself.
Join me in The Harbour to with creative resources to help you slow down, let go, and pick up from where you want to be.
You can use creativity to process life, reframe your sensitivity, discover your voice, and express the potential stirring within you, on YOUR terms.
Perhaps you’ve always enjoyed creating things and wish to share your creative interests with others. Maybe you once loved creating but have lost touch with your spark. Or you might feel creativity nudging you, yet you’re unsure of how to respond to this quiet, intuitive longing.
Join me in the clearing to discover more!
The Haven exists thanks to the support of its members. When you join us, you're not just gaining access to private spaces; you’re helping to sustain the ongoing creation of free resources and events that extend beyond the village walls.
Even if you don’t intend to participate much in the community at this time, your support makes a significant difference. It allows me to continue writing, creating, and developing everything I do through resources such as Notes From a Slow Coach and The Gentle Rebel Podcast. And it allows me to keep it advertising-free, and untouched by the influence of outside interests.