Being too emotional nowadays has become borderline sinful to some. This is all because of the fact that we are taught that showing emotions means showing weakness – and who wants to be weak? So many of us force ourselves into a mindset that prevents us from “showing weakness” whatsoever, all in hopes of fitting in and not looking awkward for being emotional. What is worse, however, is that being too emotional is now being used to criticize the actions of others. This is extremely problematic because what it is doing is reinforcing the cycle of hiding emotions in fear of being ostracized, when showing emotions has nothing to do with weakness – quite the contrary actually.
The Stigma Behind Being “Too Emotional”
In our society, one is scrutinized to the point where they feel suffocated. While this level of scrutinization happens to many of us, we cannot deny the pressure it places on men. Men should be rock hard and emotionless – or else it is game over for them. There are a set of societal rules to abide by, and if these rules are broken, stigma overrides.
As for women, while this scrutiny may not be that extreme, it is still there, and we are negatively impacted by it. Whether it is a familial setting that forces you to believe that showing emotion is weakness and that being sensitive is not desirable or friends in a school setting, the mere fact that it impacts the way we act is clear.
Many of us tend to cater our behavior to prevent ourselves from being labelled as sensitive because being sensitive is frowned upon, as though it is some kind of curse. What it is, though, is misunderstood. There is this association of sensitivity as being weak, being unable to hold your own, or even being spoiled and dependent on others – but it is not. Showing emotions is not a sign of weakness and those who criticize you by calling you “too sensitive” do not even understand what it really means to be sensitive.
Mental Health and the Stigma of Being “Sensitive”
It is very clear that people who are ostracized as a result of their sensitivity feel wrong. When you are made to feel as though being sensitive makes you undesirable as a person or as though this is something wrong within you, you tend to start wanting to change that thing about you, to not be judged for it. After all, people have a need for social belonging, and if there is anything that defies that, it is ostracization. More so, they tend to stop wanting to show their true identity in fear of being shut out, and this mechanism leads to personal uncertainty – not knowing who you are or how you should behave anymore.
The impacts of being stigmatized for a certain act are pretty long lasting and can have severe impacts on mental health considering the mere fact that your identity is questioned. With all the stigma that comes with being sensitive, one should not be afraid of showcasing that side of them – it is extremely empowering if anything.
Being sensitive means defying all odds and addressing your emotions – understanding them down to their very core. It means not being afraid to label your sadness or devastation as sadness and devastation. It means being able to say, “I am feeling like this because you hurt me,” and coming to terms with your hurt feelings. It means that you are not afraid of being vulnerable in a culture that considers vulnerability as something that should be avoided. It means that you are not afraid of being unique in a place where norms must not be broken.