sensitivity isn’t always a good thing
sensitivity is praised, sensitivity is a sign of a good heart, sensitivity is the proof of our humanity… and yet it’s also a barrier
today, you will be spat upon for suggesting sensitivity is a negative trait or using it as a pejorative term. why? the short answer is because people have shallow perceptions and can’t think past their own first assumption
but the much longer answer is that sensitivity and subsequently inaction, weaknesses and anything that opposes aspects largely connected with masculinity today is often demonised and dismissed outright.
and it makes sense
many of us lived in a world where growth was everything, it’s all about the masculine ventures and everything that’s factual and structurally cold and robotic. facts don’t care about your feelings, and that your struggles and traumas are measurable
after all, you’re only struggling in life if you have a set label of minority or disability attached to you, according to an older and outdated logic
when in reality, people have different experiences, traumas, hardships and aspects of them that cause them to have experiences unique with or without those labels
and this is not to downplay the struggles of those with those labels, it’s merely a complicated matter
yet today as well, it’s often encouraged to retain that sensitivity, to maintain the sense that actually, being sensitive is the right thing to do. reject discomfort, do not confront, let the emotions flow even to the point that it becomes a defining aspect of your day to day life
but i dare to ask… when is that not a good thing?
emotional maturity isn’t about being stifled or pushing emotions down, it’s about understanding the time and place to express. it’s about not being controlled by our emotions and letting that rampant energy rule us.
personally, to digress, i hate the term “emotional maturity” as it implies that someone is less mature for their emotional state, ignoring traumas and situations that deny a person the time and essentials needed to cultivate room for that emotional state to be better understood
and yet many of us police this idea of grit, of strength, of pushing through hardships. many suggest that you shouldn’t overdo it which has merit, and yet… no one praises the hard worker today. it’s often met with disdain or the suggestion you’re trying too hard.
but the truth is at the end of the day acting on emotion does not pay the bills
being sensitive, unless your field benefits from it, does not achieve
is the dangerous oil-rig worker capable by being sensitive about their situation? no, they set it aside when need be
does the dependable friend or therapist help someone by being overly emotional themselves? sometimes but not always, often times it requires a clear head and a clean perspective
does even the artist get their commissions done on time by being sensitive? partially, but not by itself given the measure of discipline that can be required
i think there’s something to be said of the disdain for others rejecting sensitivity and the potential for it reflecting those disdainful, likely as an unintentional means of restricting those who seek to push past their limitations and seek greater heights that sensitivity does not allow
of course, we should absolutely retain a sense of empathy and sympathy for our fellow people, especially those who are sensitive. yet i feel we should be elevating them past their sensitivity and into a state of greater stability while maintaining their inner feelings and empathy
it’s not about rejecting sensitivity or wholly becoming it, it’s about moving past sensitivities that do not serve us and allowing the inevitable discomfort into our lives
growth isn’t always sensitive
