Hi ..for me it's all about accepting and embracing the fact that I am HSP/ empath. And yes , it is very very very difficult at times. But I personally don't protect myself in any way, instead I compromise. I only spend a certain amount of time "among" people, then need time alone, to re-balance and let my mind and nervous system settle. I learnt how to do this many years ago, because I feel that to try to suppress who we are does us no good in the long run. After a lifetime of misery because of it, I now embrace the knowledge of how special I am.