Dear whoever,

“Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

We are taught this from a very young age, and I have taken it to heart. Whenever I see a friend upset on social media or I sense something in their tone, I do my best to take care of them. I have even gotten to the point of bringing ice cream and flowers for my friends to cheer them up. I used to be really confused about why everyone isn't treated this way. I know people that don’t even acknowledge the problems of their friends or merely just reply, “That sucks.” It horrifies me how little some people can care about others.

For as long as I can remember, I have always cared about everything. Not necessarily people’s opinions of me; my friends can vouch that I certainly do not care what people think about me in public. All I have ever wanted in the world is to see everyone happy. As someone who has been depressed, I am willing to do anything in my power to make sure no one has to feel that way. Sometimes I even worry about the people I have never even spoken to. I am one of the most sarcastic people in the world, but I have the heart the size of the empire state building. Unfortunately, those with big hearts are often the ones that get hurt the most.

I have a very high level of empathy. Empathy is being able to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathy often takes place in major life changing events such as the loss of a loved one. Whenever I find myself absorbed in television and movies, I find myself sharing the same emotions as the characters on screen. If a character is breaking up with their significant other, I end up crying during the same time they are. In a psychological point-of-view, I have a problem separating my emotions from those of others. I have tried my hardest to stop taking on everyone’s emotions as my own, but I have failed to this day.

Caring too much is definitely going to be my hamartia. Whenever someone is upset, I take the emotions of the person and make them my own. As a psychology major, I have learned that there is a reason for everything. Although I have always believed this, we truly do not know what everyone else has been through to make them act the way that they do. Many people have suggested that I mind my own business, that I let people deal with their problems and I will deal with mine. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

We are known as the iGeneration. Teenagers currently are the most self-absorbed than they have been in the past. Many adults blame it on technology and social media. Don’t take advantage of the people who care too much. Don’t be the person who manipulates the feelings of those like me and leave. We are the rare breed that are not all about ourselves. I’ve recently found myself emotionally exhausted at trying to be there for the people who are not there for me. I have known people like me that have turned into someone completely different because they are tired of always being the good person. I find myself always apologizing for caring too much, but from now on, I will not apologize for having a heart.

We, as a generation, need to start caring more about the feelings of others. It is suddenly cool to be heartless and to hate people. I am guilty of often stating how much I hate everyone, but I truly do not. We need to stop encouraging the hatred of other people and start listening to them. This is not the mentality that we should be striving for. Although I strongly encourage loving yourself first, there is more in life than just yourself. There is a line between self-love and selfishness. Ask your friend how they are doing. Listen to their terrible day at work. Remind your mother how much you appreciate all that she has sacrificed in this world for you. Help your grandmother with her groceries. We need to start caring about the well-being of others before the future generations lack empathy entirely.

Sincerely,

The Girl Who Cares Too Much

P.S. I'm sorry for caring so much.