I've casually mentioned being a HSP, and it seemed like I wasn't alone. Here's hoping that speaking more openly about it will be useful to some of you.
I'm by no means an expert, so here's what I'll attempt to cover, given my own research and lived experience:
What is a HSP
Signs you are a HSP
Being both an HSP and High Sensation Seeking (HSS) person
Being an HSP in Web3
What is a HSP
A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is someone that has high sensory processing sensitivity. This means:
Processing and reflecting on information more deeply
Being more easily overwhelmed
Experiencing great emotional reactivity and empath
Research shows that being highly sensitive is an innate neural trait that affects 15-20% of the population. It is not a disorder, but because our brains work differently from the average person, it is classified as a form of neurodivergence.
Signs you are a HSP
There are many signs that indicate you could be a HSP, including… being sensitive to bright lights, strong smells, and loud noises, being easily affected by the mood of others, needing to withdraw from social situations, and more.
If that sounds like you, you can take a self-test here!
Being both a HSP and High Sensation Seeking (HSS) Person
Contrary to what we may expect, a HSP though easily overwhelmed, can also have a higher degree of impulsivity and risk-taking and hence also be a HSS.
Aaaand voila, that's me!
What that feels like is having one foot on the gas and the other on the brake at the same time, both of them competing with each other at all times.
And as a result, I am both easily over and under-stimulated, and trying to find the right balance is often exhausting.
Take IRL events, for example; while I am usually excited to host and bring people together, once I am at the event itself, I either feel overwhelmed or bored quickly, which results in me feeling awkward and wanting to withdraw myself.
Being a HSP in Web3
Identifying myself as a HSP with the help of a therapist 6-7 years ago has helped me immensely, but I must say building publicly in Web3 has come with its own set of challenges.
I've got uncontrollably upset at hateful comments on the Internet even when they're not directed at me, it's challenging for me to be present on long Twitter Spaces with no structure, and I feel immense pressure to make myself constantly available to the community.
And while some days are more challenging than others, there are also many things I enjoy about being a HSP. For one, I feel deep emotional resonance over the art I collect and an even stronger one for the relationships I've formed.
To sum it up...
Being HSP is normal, just not neurotypical.
Neurodivergence can be challenging but also a gift.
It's impossible to know fully what someone else is going through, so please, always be kind!
So here's sending love to all my fellow neurodivergent creators and builders in Web3. If you're ever having a hard day, my DMs are open to chat and know that doing your best to show up every day is already one heck of a gift to yourself.
*This article was adapted from a Twitter thread by DebbieSoon.eth*
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