Sensitivity is, for the most part, seen as an overall positive human characteristic. But it’s not necessarily always beneficial to an individual. While there are certainly times that being sensitive can be advantageous, there are other times in which being overly sensitive can be absolutely draining on a person. As with all other aspects of life, sensitivity seems to be most effective and beneficial when practiced in moderation. Here are a few of the things that go along with being sensitive.
You understand people’s problems
Sensitive people are able to see from a variety of perspectives. They almost live vicariously through other people’s emotions, especially when dealing with people they truly care about. This leads to deeper human connections, as their loved ones will see how much the sensitive person really cares by how they react in a given situation. The reinforcement a sensitive person gives a loved one just by their response makes it clear that the person genuinely enjoys seeing others happy.
You take on other people’s problems as your own
When things aren’t going so well for your friends, you’ll feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. Being a sensitive person means you often take on other people’s struggles without even realizing it. Obviously, you just want everyone around you to be happy—but that won’t always be the case. While it’s obviously justifiable to be upset when your friend is feeling down and you’re doing your best to help them out of a funk, overly sensitive people are unable to separate themselves from the situation and realize the sadness of their loved ones is not their sadness. Obviously, if both parties are upset, it becomes increasingly difficult for either of them to snap out of it.
You’re in tune with overall mood
Sensitive people pick up on the overall mood of a place or event immediately and instantly find themselves in that same mood, regardless of how they felt when they walked in. This allows them to fit into a variety of social situations, as they understand the appropriate way to act wherever they find themselves.
You’re too in tune with overall mood
Of course, sometimes the way a sensitive person is acting is simply that: an act. But the longer the act goes on, the more likely it is to actually hijack a person’s mood. For example, obviously a funeral is a somber occasion, so regardless of whether or not you were close to the deceased, you still feel sad or upset when paying your respects. An overly sensitive person might become overwhelmed and anxious in such a situation, even if they weren’t very close with the dearly departed. Despite not having many personal feelings for the person who has passed, the idea that this passing has deeply affected others is enough to send the sensitive person into a downward spiral.
You experience the world on a deeper level
As we’ve discussed, sensitive people are incredibly in tune with the world around them. But this goes beyond being aware of the mood of a certain person or group. In the most literal sense of the word, a sensitive person will actually experience heightened sensual feelings. When they taste their favorite dessert or hear their favorite song, they immediately become enraptured by the moment. They become Zen-like, and are able to let all else fade away while they focus on the absolute pleasure they are currently experiencing.
You become too invested in events around you
But sometimes, this is not a good thing. When a sensitive person experiences pain, it’s almost impossible for them to let it fall away. They’re incredibly in tune with minor fluctuations in a place’s aura, so something as simple as a change in volume or brightness in an area can have a negative effect on a sensitive person. Busy city streets can be overwhelming, as they can potentially send a person into sensual overdrive, leaving them too anxious to function normally.
Featured photo credit: Emotional… / Sean Meets via farm7.staticflickr.com
