for myself people do things for reasons but Ive found people love to voice what they think of myself..my list ...Im crazy..on a different planet..odd...weird..being HSP I could take these comments and get upset in fact it just makes me laugh ...what Im not laughing at is wasting my time on people who Ive tried to fit in..it does not work..when youre with the right people you dont have to explain the right people just take you for how you are..dont use things against you..the main thing is you dont have to make youre self worth against anyone else..

"when youre with the right people you dont have to explain " ~ JOKEYJ

ABsolutely! And really this is all there is to it. Null and VOID all NOT RIGHT PERSONS FROM LIST OF THINGS TO DO AND MINUS SPACE PROVIDED.

The sooner I find out another person has a not so good reaction to my presence is a soon as I know where I do not belong. I go where my heart grows not gets criticized/ hounded/ objectified. Any verbal patterns that are indicative of insult to injury to lack of acceptance is not worth the time of day . To be accepted doesn't automatically mean one is also thoroughly understood. I understand me the best and that is the only understanding that is necessary.

This issue here is not HSP it is the issue of self acceptance and self connection. Having to seek through other person for sense of acceptance is a repeat pattern of seeking the parent to accept the child. I repeat, this is not about HSP. Being sensitive is not the reason people are jerks. They are jerks because they are jerks.

^Good points, Zhee. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I keep re-reading what each of you have written & I know it is true. I am so tired of trying to to be accepted. So thank you for helping to provide a whole new perspective.

Fito, thank you for starting this topic. I hope some of the information is helpful to you.

I've really only mentioned being HSP to my mom and boyfriend, but will occasionally bring it up with people if they mention that they or someone they know is expressing HSP traits...typically at least 3-4 of what Elaine Aron mentions in her book. Depending on the person, I might disclose that I am HSP so they don't feel like it's so strange. But if they are concerned about themselves or someone they care about, it is nice for them to be aware that a professional in the field has at given it a name...even if it is "highly sensitive."

I think you definitely have to be careful about who you disclose it to...and you certainly should not use your sensitivity as a crutch, or as a way to get out of an obligation or taking reasonable risks.

Yes, Janvier, this thread got me thinking a lot, esp. Zhee's

Not sure about the statistices, yet have a feeling that HSPs are usually quite lonely while growing up, during which period kids naturally want to be liked/popular. Maybe the more lonely people feel, the more they want to be recognized, approved, and accepted... Seems to be so for me, as the result of some reflection these days.

On the bright side, non-HSPs might encounter less difficulites and establish self recognition upon others' acceptance/approval.

As all of you suggested, probably not a good idea to expose myself to others unless needed and the person understands.

Sincere thanks to all. Only a very small portion of we running into in our daily life may become our confidants (/sigh~`). The scarcity makes the relationship precious (^-^).