A lot of people think of being sensitive as someone being weak or fragile. In today’s world, sensitivity can be viewed as a negative trait.
You may have even heard of phrases in real life or in television shows or movies like “Get over it,” “It’s not that big of a deal,” or “Rub some dirt on it” when someone was upset or down about something that happened in their life.
But sensitivity isn’t a bad thing. As with all traits, sensitivity can be both a blessing and a curse. You just have to be able to find that middle ground to use it to your advantage.
When you also have the trait of high sensation seeking, figuring out how to meet your needs and desires with these two seemingly conflicting traits can be confusing for both you and your friends and family.
Let’s learn more about how you can find a balance and harness your strengths while being a highly sensitive person and also a high sensation seeker.
The Impact of Being Both An HSP and an HSS
Highly sensitive people are neurodivergent individuals who have a heightened state of emotions and overall awareness of their surroundings. High sensation seekers are people who desire experiences and excitement that provide stimulation, whether it’s riding rollercoasters or simply wanting to try new restaurants and foods.
Highly sensitive people (HSP) who are also high sensation seekers (HSS) often struggle with finding a balance between their want and need for thrilling or novel experiences while also trying to deal with a higher sense of sensitivity. This can lead to an inner conflict and constant negotiation between these two, very different traits.
The Inner Conflict
Being both an HSP and an HSS can make you feel like you’re being pulled in opposite directions by your own wants and needs. This inner conflict can harm the relationships in your life as well as your career. The silver lining is that you have positives and negatives of each trait that you also have the other perspective of.
It’s important to find a balance so you’re not letting one trait drive everything while the other trait is kicked to the side. Finding a balance is essential to make sure that you’re meeting the wants and needs of both traits so that you also feel content, and satisfied, and that your wants and needs are being met.
How HSP/HSS Individuals Can Acknowledge and Embrace Both Aspects of Their Temperament
Acceptance
Finding acceptance means accepting all parts of yourself, the good and the bad. You have to recognize and acknowledge the side of yourself that enjoys thrills and excitement. You also have to embrace the parts of you that may feel stressed, anxious, or overstimulated. Both sides make you who you are as a person. They allow you to be the most authentic version of yourself.
Finding a Balance
Finding a balance means taking the time to meet the wants and needs of both traits. This could mean that you split your time between the two traits. Try to plan your days accordingly. Your weekends could include a day filled with activities, get-togethers, or hobbies while the other day in your weekend could mean staying at home to rest, relax, and recover.
Build Resilience
Over time, you’ll realize that these characteristics and traits that you have are unique and can actually be pretty useful and powerful tools. Sensitivity is not a sign of weakness. You can use your HSP/HSS traits to tap into your emotions to better handle any challenge that life may throw your way.
Increased Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
HSPs have a deeper amount of empathy and the ability to understand their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. Consider this as well as a stronger emotional intelligence as a superpower that not many others can say that they also have. Use these skills as a way to understand and communicate better for yourself and others.
Next Steps
You’re not expected to navigate this all on your own. If you’re wanting a little extra support, I’m here for you. Reach out to me today to set up a consultation.
Click here to learn more about HSP therapy services in Delray Beach, FL and Sandy Springs, GA.
