In this modern era, we are facing a problem that needs to be addressed. I have met many people in my life who are the victim of this problem. The question of denying the sensitivity. One day, my girlfriend, who was going through a rough break-up, said to me – ‘sensitivity is foolishness.’ Sometimes, even I ponder that I am over-sensitive, which leads to more aching experience. Being a sensitive person is becoming a taboo in our society. It is strange how we bring an issue of sensitivity only when we are going through a painful experience. In our minds, we associate sensitivity with weakness. If we learn how to manage our emotions and energy, we can become more controlled, empathetic, and self-driven. I remember a brilliant quote from Brigitte Nicole,
“Never apologize for being sensitive or emotional. Let this be a sign that you’ve got a big heart and aren’t afraid to let others see it. Showing your emotions is a sign of strength.”
For most of my life, I felt emotions in their intense and raw form. When I watch a movie, read a book, or hear someone’s story, I would start to feel the feelings that the characters of the story are feeling. Being a sensitive person has given me many gifts such as empathy, imagination, and connectivity.
As a child, I had a strange fear. When I looked at the gloomy faces who were just breathing with no life in them; I feared that when I grew up, I would become one of them. I saw adults holding grudges against their neighbors, their relatives, and even lost friends. When I heard those negative conversations full of biases, I feared that one day I would start looking at the world in the same undesirable way. I was a child who used to sing, dance, feel the rain, close my one eye to see if the moon will still seem full. I was afraid to lose it to adulthood.
This fear of losing my spirits motivated me to find a balance in my emotions. I have learned that I can turn my sensitivity into my strength through meditation and mindfulness practices. I have learned to sit with my feelings and use sensitivity to feel more joy and engage all that emotional energy in creative and constructive ways.
Dear Sensitive fellows, let’s learn how you can use your sensitivity as a strength –
Accept Yourself
I have noticed if you avoid a negative feeling, it would keep popping up in your mind. Unresolved issues are like stains on the brain; the longer we leave them ignored, the harder they will come off. Suppressing our sensitivity is never a healthy option. If we can learn to manage it with these practices, we can use it to our advantage and allow it to become one of our biggest strengths. According to Researcher Elaine Aron, about 20 percent of the population are highly sensitive due to the nature of their nervous systems. First and foremost, we should stop hiding our sensitivity due to fear of losing acceptance of others. If you are not accepting yourself, how are you hoping that others will embrace you? Stop suppressing your emotions to fit in. There is nothing wrong with being different and looking at the world in your unique way!
Some people choose to do drugs to escape from their negative feelings. Some watch TV or social media profiles of others to skip this phase. We all have a way to avoid dealing with our emotions. To counteract this tendency, we need to recognize a feeling when it is there and accept it for what it is. Sit and pause for the moment before letting it go. And then let it go!
Break Nuclear Chain Reaction of Emotions
One negative emotion leads to another one. When we are sad, we are prone to feel emotions such as anger, disappointment, rage, etc. It is like a nuclear reaction of many negative emotions. We need to break this chain. Avoidance of passion leads to meta-emotions. Meta-emotions are emotions about feelings, such as being angry because you are sad. So stop confusing yourself, figure out what is bothering you, and address the problem right away. Accept your emotion, face it, and experience it.
Optimize your Sensitivity
If you study the artists from all around the world, you will notice that they all have one common trait – Sensitivity. Sensitivity comes with a package of empathy, passion, and creativity. Artists are more aware of their emotions and can communicate them to others through their art.
Art is the reflection of an artist’s emotions.
Learn how to employ your passion and creativity constructively. If you feel passionate about something, do not stop yourself from following your dream. Encourage your creativity.
Take a Break
Sensitive people are very reflective, and if they stay in intense environments for a long time, they can become overwhelmed. Therefore, we need a break from our daily routine to interrupt the monotony. It is like recharging our mind’s batteries before they run down.
Keep a slot of time in a day for yourself. By taking specific time out of our day to stop and think, we become more aware of our mind and emotions. Some people like to go for a walk; some like to write a journal, and some want to sip warm tea. Whichever way you would like to choose, just take a break from everything else (including your phone) and be with yourself
Help Others
Radiate boundless love towards the entire world — above, below, and across — unhindered, without ill will, without enmity.” – The Buddha
Helping others can help us in associating sensitivity as our strength. Just being there when someone needs us, listening, and understanding someone’s pain can give us an in-depth perspective of emotions. Helping others channels a positive feeling in us. We feel happy about our sensitivity, which enables us to connect with others. Consequently, our sensitivity becomes meaningful to us.
I hope you will find your way to turn your sensitivity into a strength. Love and Sunshine.
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