Highly sensitive introverts and groups may not seem like a match.
Many highly sensitive introverts feel drained by the amount of stimulation in group environments. Everything from fast-paced conversations of people talking over each other to perfumes and background noise can be a lot if you have a sensitive nervous system.
You may feel awkward amidst many social norms or pressure to conform.
For highly sensitive introverts, it can feel challenging to dive deeper into the more authentic, slow-paced interaction that we cherish so much.
I’m sure you could add to the list of challenges.
Yet, I invite you to consider that highly sensitive introverts and groups don’t have to be at odds. There are group environments in which highly sensitive introverts can actually find supportive connections and thrive.
Here are a few settings where you might enjoy being in a group while mitigating the risk of energy depletion.
Highly Sensitive Introverts Can Thrive in These Groups
1. Get involved in a cause. Volunteer work or activism with people who have a shared purpose can involve social interaction that is far less be less draining. Furthermore, taking action toward a cause you care about can relieve anxiety and be energizing. Keep in mind that working with others on something meaningful can take many forms and it doesn’t have to entail interfacing with tons of people.
2. Attend an event with minimum talking. Activities like yoga, lectures, dancing, concerts, or community gardening can all be stimulating in nourishing ways. It can be a great way to meet people with common interests, but it can also serve as a way to engage in community with less social interaction and small talk.
3. Spend time with those who will share silence. There are plenty of folks who need to fill the space by talking. Something I love about our retreat guests is the way people seem to naturally fall into sharing the same space in silence. Other settings where you might find quiet community could be meditation groups, life drawing classes, or of course, silent retreats.
4. Relish the quality conversations. It’s easy to gravitate toward isolation in a loud world full of stimulation, but connection is vital to well-being. It’s true that some truly enriching conversations can be had with other highly sensitive introverts. Yet, keep in mind that you may have friends that listen with genuine interest and are willing to explore deep topics if you invite the conversation to go in that direction.
5. Meet people who get your trait. I’ve offered some ideas for settings where you might meet like-minded folks with shared interests. Yet, there are also many virtual and in-person events and community groups for HSPs and introverts that have popped up around the globe. I’ve watched some close friendships develop out of both our online HSP Support Circle and in-person retreats.
It’s important to recognize that some highly sensitive introverts may be best suited to one-to-one connections and that’s okay. You certainly don’t have to do the group thing. I’m simply inviting you to consider that it is possible to connect meaningfully without conforming to extroverted group norms. As long as you’re honest about what you need and intentional about honoring those needs along the way, it is indeed possible to thrive.
Over to you…
What kind of group environments do you thrive in as a highly sensitive introvert? Where do you feel you can be yourself and feel uplifted?
If you’re interested, feel free to take a look at our upcoming retreat calendar.
There’s also still time to join us for our Portugal Introvert & HSP Retreat (Sept 25 – Oct 2, 2022), which will be our last retreat for introverts and HSPs of the year.