Raise your hand if you have ever been called too sensitive, dramatic or emotional. I’m sure when someone told you that they weren’t saying “I love how sensitive and dramatic you are, I just want to be around you all the time.” No, they probably made a face and said: “Why do you have to be so sensitive?”

Being labeled as a sensitive person can be hurtful because it can seem like people don't accept how your emotions react to certain situations and make you feel like you are doing something wrong by caring.

Sensitive people often are caring people who tend to become upset or irritated if something hurts their feelings or disrupts their world. For some people, it does not take much to get them upset, such as the volume on the television being up too high or the lighting in a room. For others, the way other people act can flare up their sensitive side. There is something to be said about how we let the thoughts and actions of others affect our lives and in the end, how people view you and your way of living shouldn’t stop you from living your life. But, when somebody points out a feeling you can’t control and makes it seem like you are inconveniencing their way of living, it can be hard not to care.

Sensitivity is often seen as a weakness, but it’s not and never will be. People who are sensitive have a gift of strength and empathy in which disruptions to their environment and the environment of others hurt them and they would do anything to bring peace to a situation. These disruptions can be anything from someone’s words to someone’s actions and if they do bother someone, their feelings should be accepted. A sensitive person would understand if someone is bothered by something, so why is sensitivity so difficult to accept in our society.

To me telling somebody they are too sensitive is remarking on an emotion they can’t control. Nobody says “Wow I wish you wouldn’t be so happy all the time.” So why is sensitivity any different?

Emotions are something that everyone feels and some of us just feel our emotions more and show them in an explosive way. As a sensitive person myself, I try to hide my sensitivity and keep my emotions in check because I don’t want people to criticize my sensitivity and make me feel worse about myself. Maybe I shouldn’t let their words hurt me, but like I said, I care too much about other people and their happiness.

You could call my sensitivity a form of “thin skin” so to speak, but I would rather call it “thick skin that is easy to penetrate” I am strong enough to take the criticism that comes my way, but I don’t let it stop me from continuing to be the caring, kind individual I am.

So next time, you call somebody too sensitive, keep in mind the kind soul that you are criticizing. We are all people and nobody should be hurt by being emotional or caring too much.