By 
You’ve probably heard about people who feel things more deeply and notice details that others miss. They’re called highly sensitive people, or HSPs for short.
But you know what? Being an HSP isn’t all about enjoying beautiful sunsets more vividly or being moved by music more deeply.
It’s also about dealing with a whole range of unique daily struggles.
Let’s delve into 11 struggles that highly sensitive people deal with every day.
1. Overstimulation
First up on the struggle bus is overstimulation. You see, HSPs have a heightened sense of awareness.
Sounds great, right?
Well, not always.
This sensitivity means they can quickly become overwhelmed by too much happening around them.
Think about it like this – while most people enjoy a rock concert with flashing lights and booming music, an HSP might find the same situation stressful and overwhelming.
The loud noise, the bright lights, and the sea of people can all be too much to handle at once.
So, if you’re an HSP, remember it’s okay to step back and take a breather when things get too intense.
And if you know an HSP, try to understand if they need their space during high-energy events.
It’s not being anti-social or picky; it’s just them trying to navigate their world in the best way they can.
2. Absorbing Other People’s Emotions
Highly sensitive people are like emotional sponges, often picking up on and feeling the emotions of those around them.
Imagine walking into a room and instantly feeling the tension if there’s been an argument. Or feeling low because your friend is upset, even if they’re trying to hide it.
Sounds exhausting, right? Well, this is often a daily reality for HSPs.
This isn’t just about empathy – it’s about literally feeling what others are feeling. It can be overwhelming and draining.
So, if you’re an HSP, it’s super important to learn techniques to shield yourself from absorbing too much emotional energy.
And if you’re friends with an HSP, being aware of their sensitivity can help you both navigate your relationship better!
3. Sensitivity to Criticism
Now, nobody likes being criticized, but for an HSP, it can feel like a punch in the gut.
Let me give you a personal example. I remember one time, my boss gave me feedback on a project I’d been working on for weeks.
He pointed out a few areas that needed improvement – nothing harsh, just constructive criticism.
But instead of seeing it as an opportunity to learn and grow, I felt crushed. It felt as though my entire worth had been questioned.
I spent the rest of the day questioning my abilities and worth, even though rationally, I knew that wasn’t the case.
For us HSPs, criticism can often feel personal and intense. But over time, I’ve learned that feedback is a crucial part of growth.
It’s important to remember not to take things too personally and to see criticism as a chance to improve rather than a personal attack.
4. Difficulty Making Decisions
The fourth struggle for HSPs is decision-making. Because highly sensitive people are so attuned to details and potential outcomes, even seemingly simple decisions can become monumental tasks.
People with high sensory processing sensitivity (another term for HSPs) showed more activity in decision-making areas of the brain when making choices, even in non-emotionally charged situations.
So, if you’ve ever wondered why an HSP in your life takes forever to decide what to order at a restaurant or which movie to watch, this could be why.
They’re not trying to be difficult – their brains are simply working overtime! It’s crucial for HSPs to recognize this tendency and learn strategies to make decision-making a less daunting task.
5. Need for Alone Time
This isn’t about being antisocial or shy – it’s about recharging and finding balance in a world that often feels too loud, too busy, and too overwhelming.
Here’s the heartfelt truth – HSPs feel so much, so intensely, every single day. They’re constantly picking up on emotions and details that others might miss. And while this can be a beautiful thing, it can also be incredibly draining.
Imagine your heart and mind like a cup, constantly being filled to the brim with feelings and sensations. At some point, you need to empty that cup to make room for more.
That’s what alone time does for HSPs. It’s their moment to breathe, to clear their minds, and just be.
So if you’re an HSP, don’t feel guilty about needing your quiet moments.
And if you know an HSP, remember that their need for solitude isn’t a rejection of others but a necessary form of self-care.
6. Sensitivity to Negativity
As an HSP, I often find myself deeply affected by negative news, violent movies, or even just harsh words.
For instance, I remember one evening I was watching the news, and there was a particularly distressing story about a natural disaster. While others might feel momentary sadness and move on, I found myself ruminating on it for days.
The images, the suffering of the people involved – it all stayed with me, making me feel heavy and sorrowful.
This sensitivity to negativity isn’t about being overly dramatic or attention-seeking. It’s just that as HSPs, we feel things more intensely.
We need to learn how to protect our energy and maintain a positive environment as much as possible. Trust me, it makes a significant difference in our overall well-being!
7. Dealing with Misunderstandings
You see, being an HSP is not a widely understood concept. People often mistake our sensitivity for being overly dramatic, weak, or introverted. And let’s be real, it hurts.
Just because we need more time to recharge, or because we might get upset over what seems like ‘small stuff’ to others, doesn’t mean we’re fragile or trying to be difficult.
It’s just that our nervous system is wired differently. We feel more deeply, perceive subtleties more acutely, and yes, sometimes that means we also hurt more easily.
The raw truth is that these misunderstandings can lead to feelings of loneliness or frustration. But remember, there’s nothing wrong with being an HSP.
It’s just a different way of experiencing the world.
And when people understand that, they can start to appreciate the depth and richness of our experiences instead of seeing them as weaknesses.
8. Sensitivity to Subtle Changes
Highly sensitive people have an acute sense of awareness, which means they can pick up on small changes in their environment that others might miss.
HSPs are more likely to notice minor changes in their surroundings, like a shift in lighting or a slight change in someone’s tone of voice.
This heightened awareness is tied to a part of the brain called the insula, which is more active in HSPs compared to non-HSPs.
So, if you’re an HSP who can tell when a room’s been rearranged or when someone’s mood has shifted before they’ve said a word, know that it’s a part of your heightened sensitivity.
And if you’re friends with an HSP, understand that these subtle changes can have a big impact on them!
9. Deep Connections and Relationships
Finally, as an HSP, I’ve often found that forming deep connections and relationships can be a double-edged sword.
On one hand, our capacity for empathy and understanding allows us to form profound bonds with others.
On the other hand, these deep connections can sometimes leave us feeling vulnerable and exposed.
For example, I remember when a close friend moved away. While everyone was sad to see her go, I felt particularly devastated. It felt like a part of me had been taken away because our emotional connection was so deep.
Being an HSP means that relationships aren’t taken lightly. We invest our emotions fully, which can be beautiful but also challenging when things don’t work out as hoped.
The key is to remember that it’s okay to protect your emotions and to understand that it’s okay to take things slow.
After all, our sensitivity is what makes us unique and allows us to love and feel so deeply.
10. Conflict Avoidance
As HSPs, conflicts can feel like major emotional battles. The raised voices, harsh words, and even the potential fallout can be too overwhelming for us to handle.
We often go out of our way to avoid disagreements, even when it means not standing up for ourselves.
Here’s the raw truth – avoiding conflict might keep us away from immediate stress, but in the long run, it can lead to feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction.
It’s important for HSPs to learn healthy ways to express their feelings and stand their ground.
11. Fear of Overwhelming Others
Lastly, as HSPs, we often fear that our sensitivity might be too much for others to handle. We worry that our deep feelings and intense reactions might overwhelm or push people away.
This fear can make us hold back, suppress our emotions, or pretend that we’re okay when we’re not. In all honesty, it can be exhausting and isolating to constantly feel like you need to ‘tone down’ your sensitivity.
But here’s the thing – your sensitivity is not a burden. It’s a part of who you are and it’s something that should be embraced, not hidden away.
You have a right to feel deeply and intensely.
Remember, being an HSP is not a weakness, it’s just a different way of experiencing the world.