6 Signs You’re Overthinking as an HSP
Take a casual scroll through your favorite social media platform. You’re bound to encounter a fair amount of GIFs and memes about not fitting in. Each person is unique, and it’s inevitable that, at times, we’ll all feel out of place or even “weird.” However, some folks are more unique than others. Among many other things, they may be more aware of their surroundings, have no tolerance for small talk, and live life as an introvert.
Such an individual is called a highly sensitive person (HSP). It’s not a diagnosis, but it sure can feel like one — especially with all the overthinking.
Common Signs That You’re an HSP
Low threshold for stimulation
Value solitude and quiet time
Helping others
Appreciate beauty in all its guises — from nature to art and beyond
Quiet environments are always the first choice
Need lots of recovery time after being with others
Having a rich inner life
Again, HSP is not a diagnosis, but they are clearly operating on a different timeline. Feeling misunderstood can exacerbate an already existing tendency toward overthinking.
6 Signs You’re Overthinking as an HSP
1. Hyper-Focus on Details
HSPs leave nothing to chance. They gather evidence, crunch the numbers, and take their time before making a decision. Obviously, these can be useful traits. Just as obviously, hyper-attention to detail can be a precursor to rumination.
2. It’s Not Just Overthinking
When trying to identify an HSP, you can often start with sensory processing preferences. A highly sensitive person may put a lot of thought into avoiding sensory experiences like strong odors, scratchy fabrics, loud noises, large crowds, flashing lights, and more.
3. Solitude
Seven out of ten HSPs are introverts. They appreciate being alone, but all that solo time can lead to fixations and obsessive thought spirals.
4. Recovery Time
Thinking wears an HSP out. Without a balance of activity and rest, a highly sensitive person can burn out quickly.
5. Intense Emotions
Someone who is an HSP feels deeply. They don’t have casual experiences; they immerse themselves in everything they do. That said, when immersed in thinking, it can become too much.
6. HSP Overthinking Can Lead to Excellent Results
When done mindfully, overthinking can highlight the best HSPs have to offer. This occurs when they share their skills in areas like leadership, empathy, discernment, vision, imagination, and the ability to appreciate small details and special moments.
How Highly Sensitive People Can Find More Balance
It really helps to have allies who understand. The folks who really love you will get it when you need quiet time. With them, turning down a social invitation won’t be taken as an insult. Also, you’ll want to make a serious, lifelong commitment to self-care. It’s a valuable step to fortify yourself and build resilience. Safeguard your habits in areas like sleeping, eating, exercise, and stress management.
Simply put, you can’t expect everyone to “get” who you are, so it makes sense to create a lifestyle that allows you to honor your needs. With this comes the need to set and enforce boundaries. Ultimately, this can be where you discover who’s a compatible friend, partner, or coworker and who is not.
Your boundaries must also be extended to yourself. A prime example is the use of digital devices. Left unchecked, the notifications, noises, and nastiness can become more than any HSP can handle. Take tech breaks and set limits on your usage.
Connecting With a Professional
Being an HSP can sometimes require support. Being an overthinking HSP almost always requires support. When you connect with a professional, you can spend meaningful time in a peaceful therapy setting. It could be the path you need to make peace with a messy world. Reach out to learn more how anxiety counseling can help you in this journey.