So I'm an HSP - But Does it Really Matter?

I have spent more than eight years studying this HSP thing, now. I'd like to think that I have learned quite a lot... but even if I have, I find myself wondering whether that's actually good for anything.

I've been to HSP Gatherings, and I have been to HSP Meetups, and I have participated in all manners of online groups for HSPs. While in the company of others "like me," I have felt a little less estranged from the world. That's definitely nice, but the fact remains that we live in a world that is not filled with HSPs, and we have to navigate that world as it comes to us.

I know why I get overstimulated by certain things, I understand why crowds tend to bother me, and I understand why I don't care for an assortment of things - from noise to loud excitement - that most people seem to quite enjoy.

These are good things to know, I suppose. But the fact remains that I can't "afford" to sit back and dwell on them, because the greater world pretty much doesn't care.

I still have to make a living, and pay my bills, and take the garbage to the garage.

So I am an HSP, but does that really matter?

Creating an Austin HSP MeetUp Group!

When Elaine Aron was here in Austin, we talked a little bit about support groups for HSPs.

Whereas Elaine is all in favor of HSPs connecting with other HSPs and helping each other in an understanding environment — peer counseling — she said that she has never started any groups because it would represent a "conflict of interests."

She also said she couldn't really "endorse" groups, formally. However, she certainly encouraged me to do something for local HSPs.

Some of us who attended her workshop at The Crossings talked about how nice it would be to have a group. Of course, nobody's really all that keen on being the person in charge.

I brought up the idea of using the website MeetUp.com to facilitate things, since it is precisely designed as a sort of networking that allows people to go online to create connections offline. I know at least Jennifer and Serenity are interested in participating.

We'll see what happens. In my experience with HSPs and groups (online), there's a long distance between liking an idea and being part of something.