If you’re a highly sensitive person, you probably know the feeling of hearing those same old annoying questions that make you sigh internally, even if you know the person asking them has good intentions. They just want to be quiet and live their lives as peacefully as possible, but everyone always seems to be hassling them! Here are 15 questions HSPs are tired of hearing, and why they can feel so intrusive.
1. “What do you mean the music is too loud?”
HSPs struggle to deal with very loud music, as it can make them feel overwhelmed. They’re more sensitive to environmental stimuli, which some people might not understand. They love music, but they don’t want it blasting through their eardrums all the time (or ever, to be honest).
2. “You need another nap?!”
Just because HSPs prioritize their sleep, this doesn’t mean they’re lazy or suffering from fatigue. They need more sleep because they have amplified emotions and senses, so they require lots of downtime. Sleep is one of the ways they recharge their batteries and maintain their equilibrium.
3. “Why haven’t you watched the new slasher movie?”
HSPs can be negatively impacted by anything that’s disturbing or unsettling, which is why they’ll avoid watching the most violent movies or looking at gnarly images in the news. It just affects them too much. Even if everyone else is talking about it, they just can’t bring themselves to upset themselves just so they can keep up with conversations at work or within their social groups.
4. “Really? Another sunset snap?”
HSPs are motivated by beautiful things around them, which is why they’ll stop driving the car to take a snapshot of the sunset — much to the annoyance of people in their car who don’t stop to smell the roses! When they feel deeply moved by small joys, they can’t help but want to find ways to appreciate them fully.
5. “Has my mood rubbed off on you?”
HSPs are deeply attuned to the emotions and moods of those around them, meaning they absorb both the good and the bad energy like a sponge. This means a friend’s happiness can be contagious, but also that a coworker’s frustration can easily rub off on them. It can be difficult for HSPs to brush off strong emotions, leaving them feeling overwhelmed or drained. Because of this, it’s incredibly frustrating when the people in their lives still don’t understand this fundamental aspect of their personality.
6. “What do you mean my tone is off?”
HSPs are highly tuned into what people say and don’t say. They not only pay attention to people’s words, but the tone they use when they say it. So, if someone says they’re fine but their tone implies they’re mad, an HSP is going to notice (and they’re probably going to say something about it because they hate unrest).
7. “Don’t you want to come out with us?”
It’s annoying when HSPs want to chill at home on a Friday night and their friends won’t stop inviting them out to a club or party. They don’t want to feel like they’re boring or anything, but they wish people would understand that they need time to decompress and be on their own.
8. “Don’t you know I was just kidding?”
Nope, not today! HSPs don’t take kindly to so-called “jokes” that are actually offensive or rude. They’re more sensitive to hurtful comments, so this kind of question is sure to lead to a fight.
9. “Why don’t you ever want to go on vacation?”
While HSPs might like getting away from their routine for a bit, vacations are infrequent and have to be meticulously planned because they’re usually filled with tons of stressors that make the whole thing less enjoyable than anxiety-inducing. They might also think too much about their vacation itinerary, the hotel they’re staying at, or how they’ll get around in a country where they don’t speak the language, all of which can be overwhelming.
10. “Why are you so sensitive?”
Yeah, HSPs are sensitive, but they’re sick and tired of being told that they’re too much to handle or they need to get a grip. That’s so rude, and it makes them feel misunderstood. They feel emotions more deeply than others do, and that’s just how their brains are wired.
11. “How do you do nothing all day?”
HSPs sometimes like to just “be” for a while without feeling the pressure of having to do lots of stuff all the time. However, well-meaning questions about “doing nothing” can trigger feelings of shame or guilt, making that all-important alone time harder to justify. Ugh! It’s important to understand that for HSPs, these moments of stillness aren’t about laziness, but a non-negotiable part of self-care.
12. “Are you autistic?”
There are some similarities between autism and being a highly sensitive person, but they’re vastly different experiences. One of the major differences is that people who are highly sensitive have increased sensory and emotional reactions, whereas people with autism spectrum disorder experience sensory overstimulation or under-stimulation.
13. “Why do you take everything so personally?”
People who are highly sensitive are empathetic and care about other people, but on the flip side, they can deal badly with criticism, even when it’s constructed. It’s difficult for them not to take it so personally because they feel it deeply, even though they know deep down that it’s not a personal attack.
14. “Why is your room so dark?”
It’s not just loud sounds that make HSPs feel overwhelmed. They also have to ward against bright lights, and sometimes they might wear fashionable sunglasses indoors so they can deal with harshness a bit better. It’s easy to judge them by assuming they’re being “weird,” but it’s a way for them to stabilize.
15. “Why are you so picky about food?”
What other people might see as food pickiness is actually food preferences. While someone might dislike having peas in their salad, HSPs will not be able to tolerate them. It’s just one symptom of their strong emotional reactions to things. It’s not affecting anyone else, so why can’t people just let them be?
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