In other words, leave me alone

Why am I never content? Why do little things bother me? Why do I complain so much? Why can’t I be normal?

Okay, first of all, stop being so hard on yourself. I’m a Highly Sensitive Person and an introvert. Learning about HSP and introversion helped me better accept who I am and how I am. In this blog, I share my experiences and stories, hoping that they will help other people learn to better accept themselves. There is nothing wrong with you. You are normal!

What is a highly sensitive person? According to Wikipedia, “HSPs process sensory data more deeply and thoroughly due to a biological difference in their nervous systems. In the past this trait has often been confused with shyness, social anxiety, social phobia and introversion.”

Post Title: How do you explain to your partner that simply being around people takes energy?

Post Date: November 25, 2013

Someone on the Introvert subreddit asked how to explain being an introvert to her boyfriend. She didn’t know how to get him to understand that she needed alone time, and that he shouldn’t take it personally....

This is so on-point! There are times when my husband and I are in the same room but we are doing different things — maybe I’m using the computer and he’s watching TV. I shouldn’t be thinking about his feelings, but I can’t help it. I’m wondering if he’s hungry or if he’s going to want to go out later, or things like that.

The only time I’m free from having to think about someone else is when I’m completely alone.

Post Title: Why I’d rather just sit and listen.

Post Date: September 20, 2013

“I don’t know what to talk to people about. I’m okay with just sitting there and listening to others. Then if I try to interject, people shut me out, like I don’t exist (depending on the people.) So, it’s best to just sit quietly.”

I got this paragraph in an email from an acquaintance recently and I totally understood where she was coming from.

Sometimes I just want to be alone to “recharge my battery,” as introverts often do. But, sometimes I don’t want to be around people because I don’t feel like being rejected. Say you are hanging around a group of people you don’t know well. You try to be a part of the conversation and you are ignored. And rejection hurts, especially when you are a kid or teenager and still trying to figure out friendship and social situations. After that happens a few times, you learn that it’s better to just be quiet and observe than run the risk of speaking and being rejected.

As an adult, I’ve learned to cope with these feelings. I don’t care nearly as much when people “reject” me. Instead, I tell myself that these aren’t the type of people I want to hang around, anyways. I like people who are considerate, kind, and willing to listen to me the same way I listen to them. I have something to offer as a friend and acquaintance, and if they aren’t willing to accept me, then I don’t care about them!

Post Title: HSP symptom: sudden noises.

Post Date: September 7, 2013

I’m very sensitive to sudden noise, loud noise, incessant background noise, and high-pitched screeching. Oh, and I can also hear when a TV is on but the sound is muted. Even in another room. There is some really small, high-pitched electronic-y noise that comes from TVs that I’ve been able to hear since I was a little kid. Sometimes I’ll be, like, “That TV is still on,” even when it looks off. And sure enough, it turns out that it’s on. It’s a pretty useless superpower.

I asked my husband if he could think of any examples of me being jumpy around noises. His answer was interesting: “You jump when you hear any loud random sound that’s unexpected.” Oftentimes, I’m thinking about something when sudden noises occur, so the sudden noise is disturbing me and jerking me out of my train of thought. That’s why I jump. I’m jumpy. As far as I know, there’s nothing I can do about this. I can’t prepare myself for unexpected noises.

Title: A Highly Sensitive Person’s Life | Address: highlysensitiveperson.net

Author: Kelly | From: Mission Valley | Blogging since: August 2013