25 Things Only a Highly Excitable Person Would Understand

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25 Things Only a Highly Excitable Person Would Understand

If you are Highly Excitable, you pick up on things that other people don’t and respond more intensely than the average Joe.

Many Highly Excitables are also Highly Sensitive.

The key difference is the presence of one or more of five overexcitabilities:

  • Emotional

  • Sensual

  • Psychomotor

  • Intellectual and

  • Imaginative

You might be just one, or have the adventure of being all five!

Here are some signs you might be Highly Excitable:

  1. You feel both “too much” and “not enough” at the same time. You feel like you have to tone yourself down and/or tune yourself out, and at the same time you don’t measure up to your own self-imposed standards.

  2. You get a sense of elation from getting to the bottom of your laundry pile! You can get super excited about the little things in life.

  3. When that certain song comes up, you can’t help but dance or sing to it wherever you are. When you feel like dancing, you’re gonna dance and when you feel like singing, you’re gonna sing!

  4. Only one or two people get your jokes. But that’s what makes them so funny!

  5. You feel like everyone is more together than you. When you see what others are doing that you aren’t, you get that feeling that you should be doing THAT too.

  6. You find it hard to live up to your own standards. Being told not to compare yourself to others doesn’t help, because you know what YOU should be capable of doing.

  7. You feel like you have 100 tabs open in the browser of your mind. Your mind is going a mile a minute and there’s so much going on at one time.

  8. Sometimes you just want to go climb up a tree. Being an adult is such a drag sometimes.

  9. When you are into someone you are REALLY INTO them, but you’re afraid you will scare them off. You just need to find someone equally intense (but not high drama).

  10. It might take you an hour and a half to pick out a lamp. You have a finely tuned aesthetic sense that no one but you gets.

  11. You must be a princess because you can definitely feel that pea!. Things others don’t notice annoy the pants off of you and things that annoy others are downright painful.

  12. You can get so focused on that new project, you forgot to pee. While it is often hard to concentrate with so much on your mind, when you get excited about a project, you hyperfocus.

  13. Last week you were an avid fish collector, and this week you are all about ham radio. You have so many interests you can’t possibly do them all at once, so you cycle through them with great enthusiasm.

  14. It’s not enough to just make something cool, you need to make something revolutionary. You are not satisfied with “good enough,” you want to do something that’s never been done before.

  15. You’re kind of like my broken car fan, you’re either on full blast or not on at all. Moderation is not your strong suit.

  16. You have to be careful not to pick up other people’s accents lest they inadvertently think you are making fun of them. You are so good at picking up other people’s social cues, you sometimes start to reflect them back.

  17. You think of the exact right thing to say when it is no longer relevant. You can be quick on your feet, but sometimes you keep thinking about what you could have said that was better.

  18. Part of that conversation you were having happened in your head, so you might have to catch the other person up. Sometimes your mind is ahead of the conversation you’re having so you start in the middle of what you were thinking.

  19. You can remember Monty Python sketches or song lyrics word for word after hearing them once, but you can’t remember what you put on your grocery list earlier that day. If you don’t find it meaningful or fun, you probably won’t remember it.

  20. You have a class clown/teenage boy sense of humor, but a sophisticated intellect. You appreciate the finer things in life, but you also have an appreciation for the absurd.

  21. You can solve perplexing puzzles, yet this is the third time you’ve had to run the washer because you keep forgetting about the wet clothes inside. You rise to a challenge, but struggle with the mundane.

  22. No matter how much you like the person you just met, or how long you spoke to them, you will still forget their name by the time they stop talking. In fact the more emotional you feel about them the less likely you are to recall their name!

  23. You force yourself to pay attention when people make small talk, but as soon as they talk about something personal or meaningful, you hang on their every word. It’s all about connection. Anything less just isn’t worth your time.

  24. You compile a list of things of things you’d like to accomplish, then go play instead, and then beat yourself up for being “lazy” for not getting anything done. This makes your play time not nearly as much fun!

  25. You worry that choosing pictures of people dancing for your excitability blog post will make others think that all excitable people like to dance. You spend a lot of time over-analyzing what people will read into your choices when in fact they are likely more worried about what you think of them.

Being Highly Excitable has it’s challenges, but it can also be the root of a lot of great powers! Depending on the type of excitability, it can bring excellent problem solving abilities, supremely innovative thinking, deep emotional connection, keen sensory perception and/or dynamic energy.

If you ever feel like you are “too much” (too analytical, too spacey, too emotional, too sensitive, too hyper), remember that you excesses might just be your greatest assets!

Now it’s you’re turn!  Write in the comments how you know if YOU are Highly Excitable!

Excitability can be a superpower when harnessed. Sign up for my free workbook: Harnessing the Power of Your Intensity: A Self-Regulation Workbook for Gifted, Creative and Twice Exceptional Adults & Teens here.

You can also join us in our Embracing Intensity Community!

Photos by Grant Mott Photography, LLC from the Jai Ho Dance Party.

You feel like you have 100 tabs open in the browser of your mind. ~ 25 Things Only a Highly Excitable Person Would Understand
You must be a princess because you can definitely feel that pea! ~ 25 Things Only a Highly Excitable Person Would Understand
You're kind of like my broken car fan, you're either on full blast or not at all. ~ 25 Things Only a Highly Excitable Person Would Understand

Comments (26)

  1. Bob Brandt

    Hey, Aurora Remember — I just spent at least half an hour reading your stuff, only to find at the end that your “mission is to help highly excitable women …”! What about me? I fit at least 20 of your 25 things that mean you’re highly excitable, and furthermore, sometimes I’m a bit troubled by it all. It just so happens that I spent nearly ALL of Sunday evening crying (tears of joy, that is) over some great art I found on the Web, and then I had to write a long description of the experience to a dear old friend, and on Monday I got all shook up over some rock ‘n’ roll songs and got these spasms in my eyes and face that brought on tears again, but I got annoyed and growled them away, and then this morning I don’t even want to tell you what happened to me sexually like spontaneous combustion, and so I spent the day reading LinkedIn and Human Workplace, and then I got on Facebook and a post led me to you! Gee whiz, I could sure use some advice on my superpowers! But I’m a man! Do you ever deal with highly excitable men?

    • auroraremember

      You make a good point Bob! I was just talking to another male friend who related and talking about how I don’t want to exclude men, but at the same time I’ve felt pressure to get really specific with my audience. My personal experience makes me more confident understanding the experience of excitable women, but I will definitely rethink that. Thanks for reaching out and sharing!

  2. I don’t really consider myself highly excitable, but perhaps I’m wrong. I checked off at least 10 of the items you listed, and then stopped counting. I’m off to find my superpower!

    • auroraremember

      Yes Stacie! That is exactly the challenge with communicating this information to my audience. Many people who fit the excitable traits don’t know it.

  3. Uhm…are you looking over my shoulder? Or did you install hidden cameras in my house? Heavens to murgatroyd, you nailed me exactly on all but #25 (I blog about gardening and we don’t dance in the garden with cameras present. Don’t need to scar the Internet for life.)

    • auroraremember

      Ha ha! If your boyfriend was a photographer like mine, you might not have a choice! Though these dance pics were taken by a different photographer. I was thinking more in terms of overthinking my image choices lest people make broad generalizations. I’ve been impressed though how many people have connected!

  4. Lisa

    The Internet was invented for highly excitable people! And do was Facebook! Why can’t I “like” the responses above!

    • auroraremember

      That is so true! That’s a good question about the “like” option, I’ll have to look into that…

  5. Now I just spent the last 20 minutes trying to find out more about you, Vita! Remember that failure is still success. You tried, you learned, you were inspired! It’s not time wasted. (Yes, I’m speaking from experience-AtlasEducational.org is my “failure”.) Though we may not be making the money we wish, we inspired ourselves and hopefully someday others. Don’t give up. There’s something else waiting for you out there. Just knowing I’m not alone and people “get me” helps every day. You’re not alone either.

  6. auroraremember

    You are definitely not alone! Sounds like you are a multipotentialite! You might check out http://puttylike.com/. They have a forum community called the putty tribe full of people with many varied interests! Also, my friends Sara Yamtich and Jade Rivera are hosting a call on the fate of the multipotentialite on December 1st: http://sarayamtich.com/the-fate-of-the-multipotentialite/

  7. AuroraRemember,
    Whoever gave you your name is to be hugged and cherished by all.

    Meanwhile, I am writing to say that I just don’t think I should … spend my time … following you anymore. Since I last checked out your Web site I have learned that I am in fact a Highly Sensitive Person (reading tells me that this term is working its way into medical literature), and, while I am indeed highly excitable, I don’t seem to fit the great majority of the traits you address. I am so glad you were there when I needed to reach out. Best wishes in all your pursuits.

    • auroraremember

      Thanks Bob! I’m glad you are finding some answers! You might check out my friend Mely Brown’s free ebook on “The 4 Areas of Self-Care for Highly Sensitive People.” Her coaching program is aimed at women, but her e-book is packed with great information regardless of gender! Here’s her link: http://www.selfcareforsensitivewomen.com/

  8. Dear AuroraRemember,
    This is in response to your email referring me to your friend’s HSP book. I want to thank you for the referral, and also for your “just being there”-ness. You know, I never told you I am NOT highly excitable — I am. It’s just that my high overall sensitivity presents with a different set of needs than what you discuss on your Web site. Please do continue your good work! (and, I gotta say it: your name is a gas!)

  9. I’ve learned to not believe #5, but yes, EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! LOL.

  10. Well..as I read each one I felt an accelerating pace and excitement to read faster because someone really understands what goes through my mind at ALL times. Its unbelievable! Funny enough, its the jokes at really hit home. I am a strange mix between Sheldon Cooper and having the wonderful curiosities and playfulness of a child. I come across as well spoken and intelligent (I have been told) and hold my breath when people are willing to engage on deep discussions on education, politics…heck I’m happy just to really think about thinking! Yet, I want to be mischievous and fun loving. It just seems like the two personas have to be in conflict in order to be well respected in my field. I am also sooo grateful to find that others totally get immersed in conversations and totally forget the name of the person they are talking to! That even happens with people I have known a long time…and always during discussions that are interesting . Thank God my friends get me. It has been noted that I actually start to ‘vibrate’ with excitement and energy when engaged in positive meaningful discussion and yet feel I am holding my breath not to break apart when having to address negativity because it feels so destructive. Yet…when I do, I have taken a look at as many different points of view before I even start to engage. 🙂 Thank you and I am so excited to learn more!

    • auroraremember

      I’m so happy it connected Terri! I’ve been surprised at the response I’ve gotten from this post. I think the humor factor makes it more relatable, but it’s all true!

  11. Lucinda

    What’s funny is others will often describe me as "reserved", but I myself often think I am "too much". I think I keep a lot inside for fear of seeming weird or out of place. So I feel so much, so intensely and yet I don’t always show this to others. I have like by thought it was a "me problem" this being too much. But I’m starting to see it not as a problem but just how I’m wired. Having a child so much like myself now, I am learning about myself!

    • Aurora Holtzman

      Funny, the first time I was interviewed about excitability she made the comment that I seemed so calm. It’s sort of an internal thing for me too – people tend to say I have a calming effect on others. Gwen Montoya in my recent podcast interview mentioned a similar tendency by describing herself as "type A on the inside, type B on the outside." My experience with my own son has definitely been a self learning experience as well!

  12. I love coming back to look at this list – it always makes me feel more sane (or at least in great company). I love every one of these. 22, 23, 24 and 25 are particularly resonating with me today. (Incapable of choosing just one. ;)) (I was a bit confused here thinking ‘have I already commented?’ but I think that was another Lucinda. Probably.)

  13. Love it Aurora, definitely recognise a lot in it!

    I just get SUPER excited about stuff and then do it full out – and then feel I’ve overdone it and have to recharge. I do "catch" this sooner now and have learnt to take REALLY good care of myself, being alone and just reloading. It’s taken a lot of "egotism" to get there and now I help my clients do the same as a women empowerment coach. In the end it’s up to us to rock our own worlds & give us what we need! Others don’t always get our specific needs so taking care of ourselves is key, even though it might feel like being selfish… But you can’t pour from an empty cup, right?

    Rock on & thanks for posting this!

    Sophie

  14. AO

    Im definitely all 5, although I definitely don’t feel annoyance the way it suggests. I don’t often have annoyance or anger last longer than an hour max.
    I find I’m enthusiastic about everything, so I can often make just about anything somewhat pleasant or meaningful. That said, I forget to finish the mundane and the laundry thing is such a strong match.
    I study physics, I climb, I scramble, I hike, I do aerial silks, I read, I play, I travel, I speak foreign languages… and and and. I cant sit still and do nothing, and doing nothing is never restful for me. I live for the challenge. And this is true intellectually as well. I have a high intelligence, and if there’s something out there that I dont understand, I try to solve it and if I cant, it only gets more interesting. I dont have much of an ego for my mind, so Im willing to be wrong 10 times if it means the 11th I might learn something interesting. I hyperfocus on a challenge, but I have ADHD and forget the basics – like Im young but I still have to walk to and from rooms to remember why I entered them in the first place.
    When I like someone, I am all in. I see their traits, I wonder about their personality, and I’m willing to adapt or learn about everything. I tend to scare off great matches with my energy – because there isnt usually the context to understand that I am that way with everything, so it’s overbearing at times. I tend to remember people fondly, and I get terrible emotional at the thought of losing someone to a conflict, no matter how long Ive actually known them. Yet, once theyre gone, I process better because the emotions subside. Im highly emotional, but the intellectual leads me. For that same reason, I find many of the same people I scared off reaching out months later – confused as to why they were ever scared off, because then, once I’m calm and not overtaken by admiration, I’m much more level headed and all they see are the things they missed about me, or something like that. Many of course never return.

    I think I’m in the middle of learning to accept a lot of things about myself, and learning to accept loss and grief without fearing my own worth being attached to it. I think I’m learning to round out the enthusiasm with perspective.

    • Traci

      This comment is like its written about me thank you for being able to out my feelings into words ima have a few people i mkow that think im too much read this I think it will help again thanks for the share

  15. Mary

    I hang on everyone’s word when I’m at an art meeting or event.
    I would rather not socialize when I can be productive.
    People don’t relate to me easily.

  16. Andy Andy

    Hi,

    I am awestruck by reading your post, I felt as if my every bit of nature is described here. I never thought I am this way but after reading I am feeling I need to make myself more useful and more perfect to know my power so that I can use it for the people and myself and more knowledgeable about myself. Exploring every bit of my life to know it to sharpen it more and more. Please tell me how can I know what is my super power.

  17. Thank you so much.
    Put me to tears.
    I am every word here you wrote to the T

    Actually it was a friend who was like "naw man, there’s nothing wrong with you, you are just a very excitable person so I looked it up and BAM BABY BAM B BAMMMMMM

    Guess what? A song I liked came on during the time I was waiting for food outside a restaurant.
    And this man started dancing!??!
    Why have I always done this
    Class clown?
    Check list goes onnnnn!!!!

  18. Claire

    This is the most accurate characterization of myself I’ve ever read ?

Comments are closed.