What does being “overly-sensitive” even mean?

Something I hear a lot in my line of work is: “I’m overly sensitive” or “People around me always told me that I’m overly sensitive”.

So many of us believe we’re overly sensitive, but I don’t think that’s true.

In fact, I don’t think that being “overly sensitive” is a thing.

When people say that kind of thing, it’s actually code for: “Expressing your emotions so freely makes me uncomfortable because I have a lot of pent up emotions I wasn't allowed to express. So you don’t get to express yours, either.”

We’re wired for connection and we’re wired to feel when that connection gets disrupted.

Being connected to our emotions is quite advantageous, developmentally speaking. Those who communicate their needs have a better chance of having them met and therefore, they’re more able to thrive and survive.

I remember being told that I have a “high-need baby.” (How is that a thing, btw? Aren’t all babies high-need?)

Then I read a book that said that if I’m attuned to his needs and I’m able to meet them consistently, he’ll grow to be an incredibly thoughtful human being.

I’m so glad I listened to this advice because you know what I’ve learned?

Conclusion: If so many people think that of themselves or were told that, it simply can’t be true.

Maybe, just maybe, the actual issue is that we’re not taught that sharing emotions is natural and healthy.

I wonder what the world would look like if we were taught that …