The other day, my friend Clara confided in me about a disagreement at her job. “I’m probably just being too sensitive,” she remarked, hesitating. “Maybe I should just let it go and make sure I’m not overreacting.” As she spoke, I could hear the inner conflict in her voice—her emotions clashing with her thoughts. She wanted to express how she felt, and rightly so; those feelings belonged to her. Yet, she feared appearing “too emotional,” a concern many women grapple with when dealing with their feelings.
Countless women have echoed similar sentiments, often being labeled as “too sensitive.” Society has constructed an image of how we should present ourselves: pencil skirts tailored to perfection, makeup meticulously applied, and never a furrowed brow in sight. Displaying any sign of displeasure or distress, especially in public, is often frowned upon. We are conditioned to remain composed, rational, and polite—at all times.
But why should we conform to these unrealistic expectations? Humans are inherently emotional beings. We experience a spectrum of feelings—joy, sadness, excitement, frustration. Unfortunately, societal norms often suggest that women’s emotions, and even men’s, are not valued unless they are positive. If a woman feels angry or upset, society advises her to suppress those emotions, as if they were a mess to be hidden away.
However, if we ignore our feelings, they don’t simply vanish; they linger and accumulate, often leading to an emotional overflow. I used to be someone who bottled up my feelings, especially during challenging times in motherhood. But I’ve since learned to express my emotions, regardless of how messy it may seem. Life can be tough, and it’s important to let others know when we’re struggling. Speak up when you’re hurt or frustrated. Be authentic.
Just last week in my graduate class, the topic of feminism led to a lively debate. I noticed a fellow student, Mia, blushing as she tried to share her thoughts, only to be overlooked time and again. Frustrated, I finally called out, “Let her speak! She’s been trying for ten minutes!” I decided to let my own feelings out too, and the atmosphere shifted. Both Mia and I poured our thoughts into the discussion without concern for maintaining a perfect facade. It turned out that our classmates began to listen more intently. After voicing our emotions, we found that we were taken more seriously, even appreciated.
So, the next time you find yourself in a disagreement—whether at work or elsewhere—and think you might be “too sensitive,” remember: you’re simply being human. Don’t bottle up your emotions like a vacuum. Instead, let them out, even if it creates a bit of a mess; you can always clean it up later. If you’re interested in exploring more about emotional well-being, check out this article on couples’ fertility journey.
In summary, expressing your feelings is not a sign of weakness but rather an essential part of being human. Embrace your emotions, and don’t be afraid to share them. Life is too short to stay silent.
For more resources on emotional health during pregnancy and home insemination, visit CDC’s excellent resource.