Some humans are more sensitive than others. Think of yourself like a scientific instrument used to take readings of some kind, or to measure something. Some devices are more sensitive than others, meaning they are able to pick up on things that go unnoticed by others, or they are affected by a wider range of stimuli.
Some people have conditioned themselves to be extra sensitive. Some people—not all—leverage popular current issues to gain social currency. They gain validation for putting their sensitivity on display. This is what people refer to as virtue signaling.
Some people like to get offended so they can manipulate others to changing their behavior. If they can get you to alter your behavior, it means they are more powerful than you. So they get validation. Some of these folks might not be doing it consciously, it could be that they’re entitled to their own comfort, and they expect others to accommodate them.
I’m not here to talk about those, though.
Some of use could use a little more sensitivity.
It is simply a byproduct of compassion, understanding, a desire to connect with others. This is useful when it comes to the act of being reasonable, which in turn makes communication more effective. In short, everyone wins when you are able to “attune” yourself to others. This same mechanism is how we are able to pick up on shifting emotions, moods, or expressions, and it’s how we are able to use intuition to pick up on things like motive or intention. This is emotional intelligence, or EQ (Emotional Quotient). Studies have shown that people with high EQ have greater mental health, job performance, and leadership skills, but the same was not found to be of general intelligence. So it pays, literally, to be more sensitive in some ways.
How do you become more sensitive, then, in a healthy way? You start by resisting the urge to be immediately dismissive of other people. Learn to open up and listen to them. Put forth an effort to understand them and their side of the story. After all, isn’t this what we expect of others? To give us our due attention, to hear us out, to be open-minded?
Some of us could tone it down a little.
This shit can be taken to an extreme. What happens is we start to care about every little thing around us, we become reactive, we are always “switched on.” Our instrument gauges are constantly going haywire because we are giving too much energy to anything and everything, even things that don’t really matter.
We become conditioned to react and respond to anything and everything, because we see that’s what others are doing. And if we’re not doing it, too, they’ll think we don’t care. Right? Right?
Be sensitive, but not at the expense of your own mental health. Don’t overly stress out about things.
You have to learn to choose to ignore many of the minor things that get us worked up. Be mindful of your own reactions. Not everything is a big deal, despite what society may lead us to believe. Sometimes it may also start to seem as though this is natural, that it’s just who you are. That’s because it’s a habit. You do it without even thinking about it. You react. Slow down and be mindful. Even if you consider yourself an empath, you don’t have to be emotionally drained all the time. You can learn to pick and choose what you give your energy to. Practice it. Prioritize. Don’t overburden yourself with every negative thing or with other people’s problems. You can also choose not to take on the emotions of other people. Don’t let their mood determine yours.
In short, some people need to be more sensitive, some less.
-Janden
What are your thoughts on sensitivity? Leave a comment below and tell me about it!
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