Why We Focus on the Negative Side of Our Highly Sensitive Traits

Many highly sensitive people focus on the negative side of highly sensitive traits. This post is about why we do this. But more importantly, why we should stop doing this, for the good of our physical and mental health.

Being Highly Sensitive is Physically an Mentally Tiring

Many HSPs experience normal life as an obstacle. There is so much going on, all the time. There are so many demands on us. The digital world draws us out and forces us to be ‘present’ elsewhere, even when we are in the comforts of our home. It expands our world, allows more upset and bad news in to our lives than we want.

The lines between work and home life are more and more blurred.

Calendars are chock full of appointments.

Everywhere we go there is noise: music in the supermarket, people on the phone in the train and the radio on in the waiting room.

In short, there’s an overload of external stimuli as soon as you step outside and go about your daily life.

Overstimulation leaves us feeling exhausted. Mentally and physically.

The Stimulation is Internal Too

HSPs are also susceptible to internal stimulation. We think deeply, actually overthink in many cases. We consider all possible scenarios when we mull a decision over. And all too often we focus on the negative possibilities.

In other words, we can overwhelm ourselves simply with our internal processes and thoughts.

Overstimulation is a Negative Side of Highly Sensitive

Processing all this external and internal stimuli leads to a diminished cognitive ability. The stimuli is deeply processed by all HSPs. And this leads to overstimulation and intense feelings. If we don’t find the balance for processing stimuli, we see a number of issues.

Long term overstimulation leads to health issues, anxiety, depression, burn out.

Nothing about overstimulation is positive. Overstimulation doesn’t feel good.

And HSPs Feel Different

If we compare ourselves to our peers, we soon understand that we as HSPs are different.

Other children can cope adequately with the busyness of an average classroom. Our work colleagues can cope with constant travel, changed schedules, pressure, multitasking and unplanned events. Other shoppers don’t seem bothered by the music in the store.

This means that many HSPs seek to hide their sensitive traits, conceal their real emotions. And play the game expected of them. To meet expectations of those around us, we hide parts of our personality so we don’t stick out. And children learn this from an early age, doing what they can to fit in with their peers.

In other words, we are not true to who we are. This leads to a negative self image, a sense of low worth. It impacts how we see ourself, what we believe we are able to do and how we think of the world. The fundamental forming of our self image happens in our youth.

Let that sink in.

A Summary of Why We Focus on the Negative Side of Our Highly Sensitive Traits

Our highly sensitive traits mean we are often overstimulated. Mentally and physically. They also lead to us feeling different and hiding who we actually are so that we are like others around us. So we don’t stick out. This leads to a low self image and low self worth.

The Facts

Fact 1: Your HSP traits are a part of your personality and they are unchangeable.

Fact 2: HSP traits have consequences for your daily life.

Based on these two facts, is it not better to accept your highly sensitive traits, get to understand what impact they have on your daily life and adapt accordingly?

Acceptance + understanding = life changing.

Embrace Your Highly Sensitive Traits

Understand your limits. How much stimulation can you handle? What can you do to reduce stimulation – internal and external?

Literally write a list of your personality traits. I’ll wait – go write them down.

Go though your list. How do these traits impact how you feel going about your normal day? What do you need to find balance? Which traits do you see as the negative side of highly sensitive, and which as positive?

If your lifestyle is ensuring that you are living with constant overstimulation, then it’s time to fine tune your lifestyle. Practice self care. Guard your personal boundaries.

Embrace your highly sensitive traits. Utilise them to your advantage. Ensure that you put a spotlight on the positive traits too.

For the sake of your health.