Approximately 15-20% of the world's population is born with a superpower of high sensitivity each year. But, unfortunately, it's often mischaracterized as "too sensitive," these empathetic souls feel and think deeply about their inner world and surroundings.
Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) comes with many wonderful attributes, but at the expense of often feeling overstimulated, easily tired, and misunderstood.
“Sensitive” is related to HSPs’ high-performing nervous systems and not just their feelings. Large crowds or loud environments can be an overwhelming experience for an HSP. A continual intake of subtleties in their surroundings and a continual feeling of living in a “loud world” require more time alone to recoup.
Everything—from smells, textures, and bright lights to energetic shifts, speech tone, and social cues can feel like information overload to an HSP. HSPs are like chameleons—easily affected by individual or group cognitive and emotional states. They excel when in low-conflict environments that support their continued growth and are valued for who they are as people.
While each HSP experiences their trait differently, many have too often been called “shy,” “intense,” or “too emotional.”
Unfortunately, most of the population is unaware of HSPs, who can get a bad rap for the downsides of being sensitive. Healthy HSPs are often thoughtful, creative, intuitively sharp, good listeners, great conversationalists, detail-oriented, empathetic, hard-working, and dedicated people.
HSPs need to develop awareness, acceptance, and adaptation skills related to their sensitivity to thrive confidently in a fast-paced environment.
Did you know that HSPs can also be high sensation seekers (HSS)? It may seem counterintuitive due to our sensitive nature, but there is a population of HSPs that continuously strives to seek out new life experiences. However, not all HSS are HSPs and vice versa.
We HSPs/HSSs have a narrow range of optimal arousal. As a result, we struggle with finding harmony between our overwhelm and the need for new sensations. And let me tell you... Being both an HSP and an HSS can be quite the battle until you learn to use these characteristics as strengths!
An active social weekend full of fun activities always leaves me wanting to rest and thinking I want a week off from stimulation. How many times have I said, "this coming week, I will stay home and not do anything but relax." To find myself 2 days in, making plans because I want more stimulation and fun plans on my calendar again. This is the story of my life, and anyone that knows me enough can attest to such madness...
Is this you? Then, you aren't bipolar or an extroverted introvert (a.k.a. ambivert). You are a sensitive sensation seeker (a.k.a. a highly sensitive person who is also a high sensation seeker.)
Do you have a hunch you are a sensitive sensation seeker? Then, get clear and take both HSP and HSS tests.
Interested in leveraging your unique traits as a highly sensitive person or a sensitive sensation seeker? Then, sign up for a complimentary session to learn how to better leverage being an HSP by working with me.
