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5 Ways to Tell You Take Things Too Personally

Written by Victoria Uwumarogie
Published on September 8, 2011

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Has anyone ever told you that you are sensitive? Didn’t it hurt your feelings!? Yeah, that’s probably because you actually are sensitive boo…There’s no shame in that though. I’m a bit sensitive myself from time to time, but as long as you recognize that you are and put yourself in check when you need to, you should be all good. But that’s where the issue comes in. Most people who take things too personally won’t acknowledge the fact that they are indeed sensitive. So to help those folks out, aka you, here are a few signs you should be on the lookout for so you can come to terms with your sensitivity.

You Don’t Take Constructive Criticism Well
Have you ever showed someone a finished project you worked on for a long time, or a story you wrote (*wink*) or anything produced by your own hands, and got a response or reaction that was the complete opposite of what you wanted? Happens often. But the difference between you, the sensitive individual, and an everyday individual is that while they’ll take that criticism and decide to fix their work accordingly (or not)–you’re just going to get pissed. Nothing wrong with feeling a certain way about an opinion, sometimes they have no basis (aka, bull). But most of the time, people are only trying to help, so suck your sad bottom lip in and keep it moving…

When Someone Has Different Tastes, It Feels Like an Attack on Yours
Ha! I do this sometimes. What I mean is, when you share something you like (with a passion) with a boo or a homie, and they either don’t care for it, or they’re not as pumped about said things as you are. I know what’s going through your mind at that moment: “Says something about your taste!” But your bodily reaction is the #Kanyeshrug. Everyone is different, and not every person is going to like what you like. When they don’t, you can tell them why you thought they would, turn those eyebrows the right side up, and once again–keep it moving. Same goes for people who don’t have the same beliefs or opinions as you, just let it go.

You Dish it Out But Can’t Take it Back — Cry, Cry, Baby
And I don’t mean like you cry during a really sad or inspirational movie (though that is a form of being sensitive). Rather, I’m referring to the folks who joke with, or straight up diss someone, but can’t take it when someone comes back at them with the same heat. A sensitive person will be ready to do one of three things: fight, close themselves off and be quiet, or cry. There are so many sensitive people on television (see Sammie from “Jersey Shore” or Jennifer from “Basketball Wives”) who cry at the drop of a hat, and if you act anything like they do when you get called out for something or someone throws a joke your way, you need to get some tissue and chill the hell out.

You Make Everything About You
A selfish and sensitive behavior. Something happens to someone else, and your first thought or reaction is to wonder how that situation is going to affect you. Your sister can’t take you somewhere and so you start wondering if there’s other reasons, grudges that she’s holding against you. A guy doesn’t call you back ASAP (or at all) and you start wondering what’s wrong with you. You’re not the type to have something happen and quickly shake it off or give the, “that’s cool, I understand” response. Instead, your distaste or hurt is written all over your face (shout out to Rude Boys!).

You Read Things Wrong…Sometimes on Purpose
Ever received a message that was meant to come off as a joke, or better yet, that was meant to just be a straightforward statement, and felt your head was about to explode? Chances are, you might have read whatever text, email, letter, or out-loud statement you just received the wrong way. Sensitive people always feel like they’re being called out by people, and sometimes, it’s just a matter of miscommunication. Other times, you could just be looking for an argument. The best response is to leave something you don’t get alone and not rile things up (That is, unless it’s really, REALLY bugging you and leaving you unproductive). If you make a big something out of nothing, you’ll get tagged as that sensitive person that no one can joke with, that always needs to be apologized to, ‘ol girl that always pulls out her handy dandy race card, and that needs to have things worded for them as PC and simple as possible in the hopes of not offending. Don’t be that girl, girl.

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