Think about a time when you were let down. Something big or small. Maybe you didn't get the job you wanted or didn't hear back from that guy you liked.

I don't know about you, but I'm someone who is deeply affected by everything and everyone around me. My mom said I've been like this since I was in preschool. While it's both a blessing and a curse to really, truly feel things, sometimes you just have to pick your battles.

Something I've thought about a lot lately is "the root of the problem." Like, why am I so upset by things that other people can easily brush off? Obviously, everyone is different. Some people are simply more sensitive than others. But, is there a way to work on this? A way to develop "thick skin" so to speak?

I think that the root of the problem plays a big role in all of this.

When you didn't get that job you wanted or that really cute guy didn't call you back, why did it hurt? Did you really want the job? Or did you really like him? I think sometimes, the answer is yes. But other times, we're just hurt by the rejection.

For example, a little while back, I was offered an internship opportunity (with a different company than the one I currently work for and love). The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was not interested in the job. The interviews and job descriptions did not spark an interest anywhere inside of me. However, I was ecstatic when I got the position. Why? Why was I excited when I didn't even know if I would accept the opportunity? I can't say for sure, but the bottom line is: it feels nice to be wanted or accepted. It feels nice to have someone, or a company, see qualities in you that they believe are truly worth something.

If I didn't get the job, it really wouldn't have mattered, because again, I wasn't interested in it. Nonetheless, the rejection would've been devastating, as dramatic as that sounds.

While there may not be a quick way to develop "thick skin," I think it can happen over time if we come to these realizations. Maybe if we learn to pick our battles or learn to discover the root of the problem, we won't get hurt as much as we used to.