Niki Mathias

High sensitivity describes a personality trait based on biology.  It means someone’s nervous system is more finely tuned than average, so they take in more information from their environment and they process it more deeply. Saying someone is an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) describes how someone experiences and reacts to the world, both physically and emotionally.

An alternative framework uses the orchid / dandelion / tulip metaphor to explain how this trait of sensitivity is significantly impacted by the environment. Saying you’re an orchid means your growth depends on your environment. With care and support you might bloom beautifully, but in harsh conditions, you struggle more than most. Using the flower framework accounts for both individual sensitivity and environmental responsiveness. It’s focused on nature and nurture.

The flower framework is also inclusive of everyone’s nervous system, to show all the diversity across the sensitivity spectrum. Dandelions with low sensitivity are relatively resistant to adversity. They notice their environment, but they’re incredibly hardy and resilient. Tulips represent the balanced middle-ground between dandelions and orchids. Across the human species, approximately 20-25% are orchids, 50-60% are dandelions and 20-25% are tulips.

I’ve used the metaphor of dandelions and orchids in this novel to normalize the entire sensitivity spectrum and to show how the environment can be managed to help orchids blossom and thrive. And, also… I prefer to say I’m an orchid because it feels more empowering than saying I’m highly sensitive.