Introvert or HSP – Where’s the Line?
Have you ever wondered where your introvert ends and your highly sensitive person begins? For me, having grown up with both characteristics, I found it hard to figure out which was affecting me. It seemed like it was all muddled together. Without knowing which, I felt stymied to know what to do next. So let’s untangle these essential attributes.
First of all, it’s good to realize that about 70% or more of highly sensitive people (HSP) are also introverted, according to Elaine Aron in her book, The Highly Sensitive Person. That means there are likely many of us wondering the same thing as I was.
By the way, are you wondering if you or someone near to you are highly sensitive? This easy self-test will show you
And this is the perfect exploration for Inner Adventurers. We love getting to the nitty-gritty of something, assessing its fine points and truly appreciating each part of the whole. Not to mention the enlightened self-understanding it brings!
Here’s the separation as simply as I can put it:
- Your introvert is a personality preference. It is how your mind relates to the world.
- Your highly sensitive person is a physical and sensory thing. It is how your body relates to the world.
So many times, it is not simply one or the other. For example, both your introvert and your highly sensitive person like quiet and calm along with a slower pace of life. Your introvert likes it because it is not a surface-skimmer, but something that likes to dive deep to fully understand. Your highly sensitive person likes it because the sensory stimuli are less and your body has more time to absorb the stimuli it gets.
Also, many people mix up emotional reactivity with either of these traits. Yes, it is connected but it’s not the attribute itself. Another way to say it is that it is a symptom, but not the source. Our type more easily becomes emotionally reactive when your introvert is unsure or when your highly sensitive person is over stimulated. That’s why self-care becomes an important routine for our type. It’s taking the time alone to be with your introvert and get your highly sensitive person away from stimuli that makes this life a much more enjoyable ride.
Plus, childhood memories recorded their impressions on you through both your introvert and highly sensitive person. What happened to you has both mind and body imprints. This is why we can often find ourselves stuck in our stories, denying what is truth today in favor of what we believe so strongly from a past experience.
Keep in mind that neither of these characteristics is the real you. These are just part of your human experience. The real you is that divine spirit beneath all the humanity you bring to this life. Mix that into your Inner Adventure to find the line for you.
Have fun!
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Sarah, this is PERFECT! I’ve been searching for the words to help my colleagues ‘get me’ for years. You’ve nailed it in 2 bullet points! A million thanks!
You are so welcome! I’m honored to be able to bring you clarity. May it help you be “gotten” by others!