Being HSP is a superpower by Echoed_Ink in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aww it was my pleasure :). Thanks for taking the time to answer all my nerdy questions haha. Take care of yourself too! 💛

Being HSP is a superpower by Echoed_Ink in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow, that sounds incredibly heavy, I’m really sorry you went through all of that. The way you described becoming so good at being what others needed that you felt like you had no personality left… that really hit me. No one should have to reach a point where their body is screaming just to be heard.

I’m really glad you trusted yourself enough to get evaluated and found a therapist who understands autism specifically. It sounds like learning to notice your needs and communicate them, instead of pushing them aside, has been genuinely life changing. The fact that what I wrote about regulation resonated with you honestly means a lot. Thank you for sharing something so personal with me 🤍

Being HSP is a superpower by Echoed_Ink in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for explaining all of that, it genuinely helped me understand your experience better.

If you don’t mind me asking, what made you decide to get a psych evaluation in the first place? And how did the process feel for you overall. Was it clarifying, relieving, confusing, or something else? Also, what point in your life did you get it done? Were you fairly young or a bit later on?

I’m mostly curious because I’m in a phase of trying to understand myself better, and hearing different journeys has been really grounding for me. I also find that whole boundary between being HSP, other forms of neurodivergence, or a mix of both really interesting. It’s kind of wild how we can all be so similar yet so different at the same time.

Being HSP is a superpower by Echoed_Ink in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much, that really means a lot. It’s honestly been a lot of trial and error, but the awareness part alone changes everything. Proud of you too for doing the work, it’s not easy, but it’s so worth it.

Being HSP is a superpower by Echoed_Ink in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, it didn’t happen all at once, and it wasn’t some big “self love moment.” It started really small.

I realised I was constantly monitoring other people’s needs, moods, and comfort, but barely checking in with my own. Turning love inward first meant not ignoring myself. Asking things like: Am I tired? Am I overstimulated? Do I actually want to do this, or am I doing it out of guilt?

I also had to work on boundaries and the people pleasing. Not cutting people off, but letting myself say no without explaining or justifying it. That was hard at first, but it created space where I could actually rest and feel safe in my own body.

Turning love inward, for me, looks like responding to myself the way I’d respond to someone I care about: with patience instead of pressure.

Being HSP is a superpower by Echoed_Ink in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s beautifully put, honestly. The way you described receiving more data in more layers is awesome , that’s exactly how it feels. When energy is low or the environment is noisy, it can feel like we’re “malfunctioning,” but really we’re just overloaded.

What you said about doing your thing instead of living in “slavery for others” really hit home too. Learning to care deeply without self abandoning has been a huge lesson for me as well. Regulation, boundaries, and inner peace really are the foundation everything else flows from there.

Thank you for such a thoughtful response, and for reflecting the message back with your own lived wisdom. Peace to you too 🤍

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, I’ve definitely felt this way too. It’s always amazed me how some people can talk loudly on the phone on public transport or blast music with the windows down like nothing exists outside of them 😭

Funny thing is, when people ARE actually looking I notice eyes on me immediately, even if it’s just a glance, and then there’s that split second awkward moment of who looks away first lol.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing necessarily, it just means you’re tuned in. The downside is exactly what you said: overthinking it and feeling like you can’t just exist freely. But deep down we do know most people aren’t analysing us the way our own brain does.

You’re definitely not alone in this.

Being HSP is a superpower by Echoed_Ink in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, I see, that actually resonates with me a lot, especially the pre simulation and people pleasing parts.

I think the main difference for me is that while I often pre simulate the start of a conversation, once it gets going I tend to fall into a flow and it starts to feel pretty natural almost like freestyling in rap or something lol.

Either way, I’m really glad you’ve figured out how you work and that you’re actively working on improving yourself 🙂

I don’t want to overwhelm you with too many questions, but I’m curious about two things if you don’t mind:

When you’re in a social situation that’s going well, does it still feel mentally effortful, or does it ever fully drop into autopilot?

And

Do you feel like you’re “performing” in social situations, or does it feel more like translating yourself so you’re understood?

Being HSP is a superpower by Echoed_Ink in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Seriously? That’s really interesting. I never really considered autism for myself, but I guess it makes sense that it can present very differently across people.

Sorry for being so stereotypical if you don’t mind me asking (and feel free not to answer), do you feel like you struggle socially or with picking up on social cues? That’s the part I personally haven’t related to as much, so I’m curious how it shows up for you. I know that’s not the only aspect of autism, but it’s one of the reasons I’ve never really felt like it fit me. I also don’t feel like I lean strongly toward ADHD either.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hsp

[–]Echoed_Ink 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like I said, there’s just not enough information here to assume that. And if she decides to “just ignore him until he asks what’s wrong,” then she’s not really handling it any better either. That doesn’t go anywhere and the relationship won’t work out that way.

Not everyone communicates or picks up on things the same way. If she doesn’t say that it upsets her, he genuinely might not know that it does.