Your overall pattern: The Tulip
Your score indicates that you fall into the Medium Sensitivity range. Researchers call this the Tulip group. You represent the bridge between the highly sensitive and the tough-minded.
You are likely adaptable. You can handle a noisy office or a chaotic deadline better than an Orchid, but you still have a limit where you need to retreat and recharge. You possess the best of both worlds: the empathy to understand others and the armor to protect yourself.
"You have the unique ability to act as a translator—you understand the deep feelers, but you can also speak the language of the pragmatic doers."
Typical behaviors
- Selective Sensitivity: You might be sensitive to emotional stress but fine with physical noise, or vice versa. Your sensitivity is context-dependent.
- Diplomacy: You often find yourself in the middle of conflicts, able to see both the emotional nuance and the practical reality.
- Flexible Energy: You can enjoy a loud concert or a busy party, but you will eventually hit a wall where you need quiet.
Strengths in this pattern
- Adaptability: You can thrive in a wide variety of environments. You are not as restricted by your surroundings as high scorers.
- Balanced Perspective: You are less likely to get "flooded" by emotion, allowing you to remain helpful during crises while still being compassionate.
Common pitfalls
The "I Should Be Fine" Trap
Because you aren't always sensitive, you might dismiss your needs when they do arise.
- Ignoring the signal: You might suppress your need for rest because "I handled this fine last week," ignoring that your battery is lower today.
- Drifting: You might struggle to identify strongly as either "sensitive" or "tough," leaving you unsure of what self-care strategies work for you.
"Reflection point: Just because you can handle the noise doesn't mean you should handle it all the time."
What you can do next
Small actions you can start today
- Identify Your Triggers: Since you aren't sensitive to everything, pinpoint the specific 2 or 3 things (e.g., hunger, lack of sleep) that tip you from "coping" to "crashing."
- Honor the Dip: When you feel your energy fade, don't push through. Take a 15-minute break. You recover faster than high scorers, but only if you rest early.
Longer-term directions
- Leverage Your Position: In groups, use your middle-ground position to advocate for the highly sensitive people while reassuring the less sensitive ones.
- Customize Your Life: You don't need to live in a bubble, but you shouldn't live in a war zone. Build a lifestyle that has alternating periods of activity and rest.
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This test describes a personality trait (Sensory Processing Sensitivity), not a disorder. Being a Tulip is a healthy, normal variation of human temperament. However, if you feel consistently overwhelmed or unable to manage stress, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.