Dear Rose,
People keep saying I’m too sensitive. Am I? How do I know?
- Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Do you ever feel like you have to walk on eggshells around someone, or that someone is walking on eggshells around you? I really like this article about people who think they are too sensitive.
This was the most positive article I’ve ever seen about this subject. It opened my eyes to the benefits of being a sensitive person.
Anonymous, the question you need to ask yourself is if your sensitivity negatively impacts people around you.
I’ve had people in my life that I’ve had to walk on eggshells around. People who were prone to irrational anger, or desperately needing constant praise or attention. And to be honest, I learned through the years to keep a distance between these people, because their emotional responses are so extreme, and it’s not my job to ‘fix’ them (even if it were possible).
But others of us are sensitive in other ways. Sensitive to criticism, or overtly emotional about music or art. Sensitive to rejection or to the moods or intentions of other people.
Sensitivity is not looked upon well in our society. It is my impression that we are ‘supposed’ to always think with our heads, and not our hearts. We are ‘supposed’ to show our ‘John Wayne” face to the world – one that is confident and capable and unflinching–even in the face of personal attacks.
This attitude is unrealistic actually, because we do have emotions. And a sensitive male has a double whammy in this world – being seen as the ‘stronger’ sex, emotions have more impact, than when a woman shows them. This is also one of the reasons women often have to work twice as hard to be respected. I also really feel a lot of compassion for sensitive men by the way, because their road is even more difficult.
If you are so sensitive that people have trouble being around you, you need to look at what is drawing people away from you, and do your best to not have your emotions impact others so negatively. However, if you are a sensitive person who only (generally) affects themselves with their emotional responses, than have heart.
You’re not alone. Feel what you feel with no regrets.
Being sensitive and intuitive makes you a person with depth.
All best,
Rose
