And the more shallow the connection, the more draining it is.Īll of this can leave us feeling lonely - even if we have a lot of people in our life, or even when we’re with others. As a result, the types of connections we make with other people can either feed us or drain us. Research shows HSPs feel emotions more strongly than others because our brains are wired differently. Similarly, if I’m around a group of friends - acquaintances, more like - who can’t move beyond small talk to dive into bigger ideas and bigger feelings, I tend to feel exhausted. Because HSPs are more in tune to the subtle details of their surroundings, we often feel overstimulated in busy environments, especially when it means we have to engage in small talk. During those occasions, I’d also feel my body tense while sitting at the dinner table, trying to tune into just one of dozens of conversations happening around me.

) Why Sensitive People Crave Deeper ConnectionĪs an HSP, I used to think something was wrong with me for dreading big social gatherings or networking events where I’d spend the entire night repeating the same introduction - and having the same small talk - over and over again. (Wondering if you’re a highly sensitive person? See if these signs sound like you. If you can relate, you might be a highly sensitive person (HSP) - someone who processes all information more deeply and, for that reason, often craves deeper connection. Conversations that barely scratch the surface - because they’re trapped in the cycle of niceties and politeness - give me the same feeling as driving up to Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday.

On the flip side, I hate small talk: The weather, how my weekend was, where I got my shoes. In short, anytime someone can hold a conversation that goes deep beneath the surface it gives me life. I’m invigorated by people who can talk to me about feelings, dreams, passions, or intentions. Although I’m an introvert who recharges in solitude, I’ve found there are some people who give me energy.

For sensitive people, the types of connections we make can either feed us or drain us.ĭeep conversations feed my soul.

Feed us happy game