In a world where the ability to walk over heads and actively work with elbows is valued above all, sensitivity seems at least an inappropriate feature, at a maximum — a sign of weakness. American journalist Matthew Loeb is sure that sensitivity can be considered your dignity.
«You are too sensitive!» the father growls.
«Stop taking everything so personally» The chief mutters.
«Stop being a rag!» the coach is outraged.
It hurts a sensitive person to hear all this. You feel like you are not understood. Relatives complain that you constantly need emotional support. Colleagues at work treat you with disdain. At school, you were bullied as a weakling.
They are all wrong.
We live in a world where pressure and self-confidence usually win over reflection and thoughtfulness.
We live in a world where pressure and self-confidence usually win over reflection and thoughtfulness. Suffice it to recall how Donald Trump became the Republican Party’s presidential candidate. Or look at any top manager with dictatorial ways, loudly boasting about rising profits.
Life is a contact sport, or at least that’s what «wise teachers» often say. In order to get forward, you have to push everyone with your elbows.
Lesson learned. Deciding to be «tougher», you walk past your acquaintances in the office with a stony face, giving them stern looks, rudely brushing off anyone who distracts you. As a result, you do not look «tough», but just an arrogant rude.
Sensitivity is a gift appreciated by your friends and family
Here’s the lesson to learn: Don’t try to suppress your sensitive side—try to embrace it. Sensitivity is a gift that your friends and family appreciate, even if your desire to appear tough and serious keeps them from admitting it openly.
Emotional sensitivity
Have you noticed how someone is quietly and hesitantly trying to keep the conversation going? Of course they did. Your sensitivity allows you to accurately determine the emotional state of others. Everyone ignores this shy person, and you come up and get to know each other. Your directness and sincerity captivates and disarms, so it is especially good to talk with you one on one. People instinctively trust you. From which it follows that…
… you are a born psychotherapist
Your inner world is deep and developed. You are naturally empathetic, and friends and family will always turn to you when they need support. How many times has it happened that as soon as something happens — and they immediately call you? For them, you are like an emotional beacon.
Calling friends and relatives “for a couple of minutes, to find out how you are”, after two hours you often still continue the conversation, helping to “glue” a broken heart. Yes, you are ready to devote your time to help relatives and friends who have a “heartache”. And more importantly, you are emotionally advanced enough to truly understand their experiences.
Seek and find
You have an inquisitive mind. You are naturally curious. You are constantly asking questions, collecting bits of information, trying to quench your brain’s thirst. You absorb information like a sponge.
At the same time, you are primarily interested in people: their characteristics, what motivates them, what they are afraid of, what kind of “skeletons they have in the closet”.
With your sensitive soul, you have a lot to give to others — even cynics who are tired of everything. Your warm attitude, good nature, understanding and intellectual curiosity inspire those around you. And by this you make life around you a little less harsh.
Although life is often like a contact sport, sometimes you can do without a protective kit.