I'm an INFJ (the J and P scores 50/50) HSS HSPs and it is exhausting! As a kid I loved tumbling and running around, but I simultaneously had severe anxiety. As an adult, I love going out, but I often go into an observatory mode. I enjoy being around people, but it's really a lot of effort to engage with them. I'm really fortunate that I have found people who appreciate these sensitive qualities in me. Not everyone understands or accepts it. I also think it's one of the reasons why I'm good at my job (it's in the arts...classic INFJ).
I've also dealt with a lot of trauma and I've had to work really hard to understand myself. When you're constantly receiving information and experiencing/processing other people's emotions and perspectives it can be really difficult to sort through your own first. I don't shut down anymore. I'm able to speak up for myself. I'm able to verbalize when I'm feeling hurt or overwhelmed. I consider those victories for me. If you've ever met or been an HSP with low self awareness, that makes all the struggles even harder.
I do feel like a freak sometimes. When it's really bad, I feel like I'm walking around with the reality volume turned up too loud. There's a reason they make superhero films. We have to have hope or the belief in the good in the world in order to survive living in it. I think we collectively know that, sensitive or not, but perhaps HSPs are more accutely aware. Sometimes the volume of the world is greater than my ability to hope. It is comforting to know there are other people who struggle with the level of their sensitivity. Maybe that we exist and that there's medical evidence that speaks to our abilities means there is reason to hope. The world needs people like us. It needs to grow in it's capacity to love and empathize.
T (not verified)says...
I'm an INFJ (the J and P scores 50/50) HSS HSPs and it is exhausting! As a kid I loved tumbling and running around, but I simultaneously had severe anxiety. As an adult, I love going out, but I often go into an observatory mode. I enjoy being around people, but it's really a lot of effort to engage with them. I'm really fortunate that I have found people who appreciate these sensitive qualities in me. Not everyone understands or accepts it. I also think it's one of the reasons why I'm good at my job (it's in the arts...classic INFJ).
I've also dealt with a lot of trauma and I've had to work really hard to understand myself. When you're constantly receiving information and experiencing/processing other people's emotions and perspectives it can be really difficult to sort through your own first. I don't shut down anymore. I'm able to speak up for myself. I'm able to verbalize when I'm feeling hurt or overwhelmed. I consider those victories for me. If you've ever met or been an HSP with low self awareness, that makes all the struggles even harder.
I do feel like a freak sometimes. When it's really bad, I feel like I'm walking around with the reality volume turned up too loud. There's a reason they make superhero films. We have to have hope or the belief in the good in the world in order to survive living in it. I think we collectively know that, sensitive or not, but perhaps HSPs are more accutely aware. Sometimes the volume of the world is greater than my ability to hope. It is comforting to know there are other people who struggle with the level of their sensitivity. Maybe that we exist and that there's medical evidence that speaks to our abilities means there is reason to hope. The world needs people like us. It needs to grow in it's capacity to love and empathize.