List #79 - 5 ways to deal with life as a very sensitive person (coming from a very sensitive person)
I have always been what I like to call a “Big Feeler”. I feel things deeply and intensely. Another word for it is sensitive, but I am beginning to shy away from using this one. The reason being the connotation of sensitive is weak. I am not a weak person, and I believe that those of us who feel this much tend to be incredibly strong. Think of it as weight lifting. Those who lift bigger weights tend to be the toughest of the bunch.
That being said, life as a Big Feeler can be tricky. This is because the feelings tend to come first, then the reasoning. This often means we reason better, I believe, since we’ve absorbed the issue so much beforehand, but it doesn’t always fare well in a professional or social situation.
So, for all the Big Feelers out there. Here are five ways to handle the world with your big feelings and sensitive souls at the ready. I am behind you every step of the way.
Recognize the superpower
And it is a superpower. We feel deeply because our humanness is raw on the outside of our bodies, with very little to no armor to protect us from others and their opinions. This is a strength in itself because we’re stripped of everything that could hold us back. There is nothing to penetrate, and therefore, we can bear pain and stress (I believe) without safety nets or crutches. By recognizing our sensitivity as super strength, we take back control and perhaps can manage ourselves better.
Prepare yourself as much as possible
This is a tough one. Prepare yourself for might happen if you’re in a sensitive situation. Recognize that you cannot control those around you, only your own reactions. Its okay to have those big feelings, but its not always appropriate. So, you may have to hold it together before you can break open.
Put on a mask
This may sound weird to say, but especially in professional settings, this is important. Crying just isn’t an option a lot of the time, and so sometimes it helps to almost pretend that you’re not sensitive for a brief period of time. If only to hold yourself together in that moment.
Remember not everyone understands, and that’s okay!
Some people have armor that’s miles thick, and that’s okay. You don’t have to talk through and vent about everything just because its clear to you. That person needs to handle things in their own way. We need to respect and honor that process.
Feelings are great, but logic and reason must follow
Our feelings and sensitivity are our superpowers, but rationality must follow if we’re going to be able to harness that power appropriately. It doesn’t do anyone any favors to constantly feel if we’re not going to take action and work through the issue.