19 Things You Need To Know Before You Date A ‘Highly Sensitive Person'

19 quotes

Highly sensitive people are special creatures who love more deeply -- and can need a little extra understanding from their partners.

“Sometimes people with our trait are said to be less happy or less capable of happiness. Of course, we can seem unhappy and moody, at least to non-HSPs, because we spend so much time thinking about things like the meaning of life and death and how complicated everything is—not black-and-white thought…”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“No matter who you are, fighting with a loved one is miserable. But sensitive people tend to feel extra anxious when conflict arises — and an internal battle takes place. We feel torn between speaking up for what we believe is right and sitting back so we don’t provoke an angry reaction from the othe…”

— Jenn Granneman, introvertdear.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“Highly sensitive people have reactions to criticism that are more intense than less sensitive people. As a result, they may employ certain tactics to avoid said criticism, including people-pleasing (so that there is no longer anything to criticize), criticizing themselves first, and avoiding the sou…”

— Amanda L. Chan, huffingtonpost.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“Sensitive people like a slower pace of life. We like pondering all our options before making a decision and regularly reflecting on our experiences. We hate busy schedules and rushing from one event to the next.”

— Jenn Granneman, introvertdear.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“Highly sensitive people are more aware of subtleties and details that could make decisions harder to make.”

— Elaine N. Aron, huffingtonpost.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“Take criticism from them as a compliment. Highly sensitive people are born with a really acute awarenesses to detail. So they will be very likely to point out something that needs to be improved. Listening to their advice will most likely produce the best outcome when cooking a nice meal, or when sh…”

— Sophia Borghese, thoughtcatalog.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“Even a moderate and familiar stimulation, like a day at work, can cause a highly sensitive person to need quiet by evening.”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People, Introversion

“There is a common misunderstanding that emotions cause us to think illogically But recent scientific thinking, reviewed by psychologist Roy Baumeister and his colleagues, has placed emotion at the center of wisdom. One reason is that most emotion is felt after an event, which apparently serves to he…”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People, emotions, Being a woman, feminism

“If you work with them, don’t try to chat with them while they are really focused on a project. These people focus best when they are in tune with their own thoughts. Instead give a warning that you would like to discuss the project with them at some point in the day.”

— Sophia Borghese, thoughtcatalog.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“If their friends and family realize that that’s just how they are — that they cry easily — and support that form of expression, then ‘crying easily’ will not be seen as something shameful.”

— Ted Zeff, huffingtonpost.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“If you live with them try to clean up after your messes. Messy environments are irritating for even nonsensitive people. So imagine how much they drive the Highly Sensitive Person insane.”

— Sophia Borghese, thoughtcatalog.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“Sensitive people are very observant, and are not judgmental in the slightest. Let them make observations. This is how they make sense of the world around them. Sometimes it’s easier for them to let go of what others think of them, and to think of those around them. They may love to read articles abo…”

— Sophia Borghese, thoughtcatalog.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“The point is best made by Aristotle, who supposedly asked, ‘Would you rather be a happy pig or an unhappy human?’ HSPs prefer the good feeling of being very conscious, very human, even if what we are conscious of is not always cause for rejoicing.”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Philosophy, Aristotle, Highly Sensitive People

“Most people’s feet may be tired at the end of a day in a mall or a museum, but they’re ready for more when you suggest an evening party. HSPs need solitude after such a day. They feel jangled, overaroused.”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“A real man or woman is whatever any man or woman is at those times when he or she is living authentically, in accord with his or her true self and temperament. There is no truer definition of your gender than you.”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: gender, Highly Sensitive People, feminism, real men

“In my opinion, all HSPs are gifted because of their trait itself. But some are unusually so. Indeed, one reason for the idea of ‘liberated’ HSPs was the seemingly odd mixture of traits emerging from study after study of gifted adults: impulsivity, curiosity, the strong need for independence, a high…”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“We are forced to make choices and set priorities, but being very conscientious, HSPs often put themselves last. Or at least we give ourselves no more time off or opportunity to learn new skills than anyone else. In fact, however, we need more.”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Highly Sensitive People

“We are a package deal, however. Our trait of sensitivity means we will also be cautious, inward, needing extra time alone. Because people without the trait (the majority) do not understand that, they see us as timid, shy, weak, or that greatest sin of all, unsociable. Fearing these labels, we try to…”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Introversion, Personality, Highly Sensitive People

“A teacher of meditation once told the story of a man who wanted nothing to do with the stress of life, so he retreated to a cave to meditate day and night for the rest of his life. But soon he came out again, driven to overwhelming distress by the sound of the dripping of water in his cave. The mora…”

— Elaine N. Aron, amazon.com

Tagged: Stress, First world problems, Highly Sensitive People