BY KENDALL QUINN
Those three words I’ve heard repeated throughout my life since I was a child. It was stated during silly sibling fights or in a joking session with friends. Yet, there was always an underlying sense of criticism under the jab. I started internalizing “being sensitive” as a weakness or flaw I carried. I did everything to make it go away. I tried not reading into jokes as deeply, I rarely expressed my feelings outwardly, and I often swept comments under the rug. This process was emotionally exhausting and didn’t feel true to who I was.
Phrases like ‘toughen up” or “it’s not that deep” take hold of our society, making sensitivity something that is deeply misconstrued. Something that we should see as a strength feels like something to be ashamed of. But in reality, those who have been labeled as “too sensitive” are really just better equipped with a sincere depth of their emotions.
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, is a core part of our humanity and it seems we need more of it in our world today. Although overwhelming at points, empathy is a key detail to be a supportive and active member of our communities.
Instead of labeling sensitive as a negative thing, or pushing emotions away, we should be embracing our sensitivity as it’s a gift that the world needs more of.
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