By 
0
0
Being sensitive is not a bad thing. Everybody (even psychopaths to a degree) possesses a level of innate sensitivity. We all respond to stimuli around us. Some people, i.e. highly sensitive people, respond to external stimuli or other people’s emotions more than others.
Being Highly Sensitive
I am a highly sensitive person, hence why I get panic attacks. I have a strong startle response. Loud noises and sudden sounds make me jumpy. I get dizzy easily from quick moving motion, such as people moving past me very rapidly, or from being in a vehicle that moves too fast. I love rollercoasters, but afterwards I struggle to walk. I see others after being on a rollercoaster hop straight to the next ride, which for me is impossible.
Stimulants like caffeine and alcohol (which I no longer drink) have a strong effect on me. I also react strongly to the feelings of others around me. When I was a child, if someone around me was upset, I became upset. If those around me were happy, I became happy. I am very empathetic, and struggle with gore and violence. (This is ironic as I love shows like Game of Thrones, but I do sometimes shut my eyes at extremely violent scenes.)
Positive Aspects of Sensitivity
Being sensitive is a good thing in many ways. It means we can be there for those we love when they are hurt or in pain. We can empathise with those who are going through a rough patch. It also helps creatively. Most creative artists are highly sensitive. You need to be sensitive to the world around you to interpret it with the richness of a painter, writer, musician, and the like.
The Problem With Being ‘Too’ Sensitive
Similarly, being ‘too’ sensitive can be limiting. I am aware of how my extreme sensitivity to external stimuli limits my daily life. My panic attacks are a symptom of my reactions to the chaotic world. Highly sensitive people can become overwhelmed and flooded at points, which can lead to anxiety attacks, panic attacks, meltdowns, and other strong emotive responses.
Most people can’t help reacting strongly to loud noises or rapidly-moving crowds. This isn’t a choice, it’s an involuntary bodily response.
But words are things we can choose to react to.
Words can hurt, obviously. But part of maturity is learning to develop emotional resilience. I think that emotional resilience in this day and age is an underrated quality.
If someone leaves a negative review of one of my books, it hurts. I’m human. But I’m not going to ‘cry’ about it or let it deter my writing.
The Internet has allowed people to indulge their emotions and become too sensitive to words. Again, it’s okay to be a bit disheartened or upset if someone says something we dislike. This is a normal part of being human.
But reacting to the point where we ‘cancel’ them, or hurl outrage at them, or shut them down entirely?
This is what society has come to.
Emotional Extremism
Our emotions are subjective. We cannot and should not allow our emotions to dictate every single thing we do. Everyone needs a healthy dose of emotion and logic. A balance.
Take the JK Rowling controversy. It’s perfectly fine for someone to be upset by what she said. We can’t control what we emotionally react to. It’s fine for someone to choose to not support her work or stop reading her books.
But the exorbitant outrage at this is an example of how people have become so upset and appalled at something they don’t like that they cannot take any minor criticism.
Mob Rule
Another example is from 2018, when H&M released an advertising campaign that had two little boys wearing animal-themed jumpers. The black boy wore a jumper saying ‘coolest monkey in the jungle’. His African parents didn’t find fault with this. The boy modelled numerous jumpers.
Of course I can understand why someone may be concerned with a little black boy modelling such a jumper. The word ‘monkey’ has (and still is) used as a racial slur against black people. I do think that someone should have calmly advised against H&M promoting something that would inevitably cause backlash.
It is sad that we now live in a world where companies and brands have to cater to people’s sensitivities.
However, again, the outrage was too much. A mature person calmly writes to the company saying why it may be inappropriate to some. They don’t become overly-sensitive about it. This is ‘positive’ sensitivity. It’s good to be mildly sensitive and understanding of the needs of others. But being too sensitive means ignoring rationale. It removes the ability to be compassionate.
I remember growing up and seeing Yorkie bars. They said ‘it’s not for girls’ on the wrapper. Did we cry about how sexist this is? Yes, it was sexist, but it was a tongue-in-cheek advertising ploy. No one really believes that women can’t eat a fucking chocolate bar. An overly-sensitive woman may cry at the ‘sexism.’ An emotionally resilient woman laughs at the stupidity and buys and enjoys two yorkie bars.
