I often have clients share triggers which they find create reactions they struggle to control. It might be a certain voice used in conversation, a certain pet name or a certain word. What I’ve heard a number of times is that being called sensitive can be very triggering. It’s a shame really as sensitivity is a superpower the world needs more of right now!

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive,” you know how much those words can sting. It feels like a criticism, as if there’s something inherently wrong with you because you feel deeply. This is especially true for men, for whom sensitivity is often seen as a weakness. 

But here’s the thing: sensitivity is not a weakness, but a gift.

The myth of sensitivity as a flaw

We live in a world that values logic and emotional control over vulnerability and empathy. In the West, we’re taught that being tough or, as is the current trend, stoic means keeping our feelings in check and that sensitive people are somehow lacking. But this is simply not true. 

Sensitivity isn’t a flaw in your character—it’s a strength that can enhance your life in profound ways.

Think about it. Sensitivity allows you to connect with others on a deeper level. It helps you pick up on subtle cues in conversations, like a shift in someone’s tone or body language. 

It gives you access to your emotions, allowing you to process and understand them rather than pushing them aside. And sensitivity sharpens your instincts, helping you tune into what feels right or wrong in any situation. 

These are not weaknesses—they are superpowers. In both your personal and professional relationships.

Sensitivity strengthens human connection

One of the most beautiful things about sensitivity is its ability to create stronger, more authentic connections with others. Sensitive people tend to be more empathetic, which means we can quickly put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. 

Being sensitive makes us better listeners and more attuned to the needs and emotions of the people around us.

Think about the last time you felt truly heard by someone 

Chances are, that person was sensitive to what you were going through. He didn’t rush to fix things or offer advice—he simply sat with you in your experience. That kind of connection is rare and incredibly valuable. It makes the other person feel heard.

If you feel deeply, your sensitivity is a gift in your relationships.

Sensitivity allows you to show up for others in ways that most people can’t, and it helps you build trust and intimacy in your connections.

Sensitivity gives you access to your emotions

Feeling deeply is also a pathway to self-awareness and growth. Sensitive people are in tune with their emotions, and while that might mean feeling things more intensely, it also means having a greater understanding of what’s happening inside.

You’re less likely to ignore or suppress your emotions when you’re sensitive. You’re more willing to sit with your feelings and explore what they’re trying to tell you. 

Emotional awareness is a huge asset in personal growth

This awareness allows you to process difficult emotions in real time rather than letting them build up over months or years. This ability to feel emotions fully is a key component of emotional intelligence. 

Being able to recognise, understand, and manage emotions—is often what sets great leaders and communicators apart from the rest.

Sensitivity sharpens your instincts

Have you ever had a gut feeling about something—whether it’s a person, a situation, or a decision? 

You pick up on subtle changes in energy, environment, and tone that others might miss, which helps you make decisions based on more than just the facts in front of you.

This intuition is especially helpful in personal and professional settings. In work environments, for example, sensing the tension in a meeting or detecting when something feels off with a project can help you navigate situations before they become full-blown problems. 

It gives you a strategic advantage that many overlook.

Reframing sensitivity as strength

So, how do we shift our perspective on sensitivity? How do we start seeing it for what it truly is—a strength?

Instead of thinking of sensitivity as a burden, start thinking of it as a superpower

When someone tells you that you’re sensitive, take it as a compliment. They’re acknowledging that you have an ability they might not possess: the ability to feel deeply, connect authentically, and trust your intuition.

At the same time, sensitivity doesn’t mean you must be perfect or always have your emotions under control. 

Feeling overwhelmed occasionally is part of being human. What matters is how you use your sensitivity to move forward, grow, and connect with others.

Sensitivity is what makes you uniquely you

It helps you create deeper relationships, tune into your emotions, and navigate life with a sense of intuition that many people lack.

If you’re still not sure how to embrace your sensitivity or if you feel weighed down by it, remember this: sensitivity doesn’t make you weaker. 

Sensitivity makes you more in touch with the world around you—and that is a powerful gift.

The next time someone tells you that you’re “too sensitive,” thank them

You have a superpower that many people don’t. It allows you to feel, connect, and understand what others can’t. 

And that’s something to be proud of.

- Bec x

Ps. If you’re ready to explore how to own your sensitivity and use it as the gift it truly is, please get in touch.

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