Let’s face it: I’m the friend everyone turns to during a movie to see if I’m already crying. Spoiler alert: I usually am! Sentimental stuff gets to me every time. But while it’s totally acceptable to shed a tear during a heart-wrenching film like My Sister’s Keeper, expressing feelings in everyday life can come with the label of being “overemotional.” Yep, that’s me.
From a young age, I’ve held back tears because I felt my emotions were a burden to others. I can still hear the eye rolls from classmates and adults who seemed to say, “Here she goes again.” But how could I not feel deeply? As a sensitive person, I was very aware of my emotions, even when I tried to suppress them.
Genevieve von Lob, a clinical psychologist who specializes in highly sensitive individuals, explains that sensitive people process information more intensely. We take in details from our surroundings and can quickly become overwhelmed by it all. I’m definitely one of those who gets hurt easily, and my tears don’t come with an agenda. Whether it’s joy or pain, I often find myself crying over both.
I wear my heart on my sleeve, but that can feel like a curse in a world that often misunderstands sensitivity. Von Lob mentions that many highly sensitive individuals feel lonely or out of place. Society tends to view these traits as weaknesses, which makes it tough to accept ourselves and recognize our unique gifts.
Being labeled as “overemotional” isn’t all bad, though. It’s common for me to feel drained after pouring my energy into something that matters. Anyone who has been called “overemotional” knows the struggle of feeling different and how society can treat us poorly. We often hear the term “snowflakes” thrown around, but we know there’s more to our emotional depth.
The upside? We tend to be self-aware and empathetic, which are great qualities in leaders. We often bring creativity and fresh perspectives to the table, questioning societal norms and advocating for justice. We genuinely want to make the world a better place, whether that means supporting causes like women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, or environmental issues.
For those of us who feel emotions intensely, life is about embracing all of it—the good, the bad, and everything in between. I proudly identify as a sensitive person, especially since the world has plenty of folks who lack that depth. We want to leave a positive mark, maybe even just for one individual.
So sure, I might be labeled “overemotional,” but I dive into life with my heart wide open, and that makes me genuinely happy!
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In summary, there’s a place for sensitivity in this world, and we should embrace and celebrate it rather than shy away from it.
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