The Power of Sensitivity: Why Feeling Deeply is a Strength, Not a Weakness
For a long time, I didn’t see myself as a highly sensitive person. Instead, I criticized myself for being "too emotional," "too sensitive," "too much." Maybe you’ve heard those words too. Maybe you’ve even said them to yourself.
But here’s the truth: Sensitivity is not a flaw. It is an essential part of being human.
Sensitivity is Our Birthright
Some people identify as highly sensitive, but the ability to feel deeply, to be intuitive, to connect with others—it’s something we all have. Sensitivity is not a trait that belongs to a select few. It is woven into our very nature. We are all born with the capacity to sense, to feel, and to understand, but we live in a world that often suppresses these qualities, especially for men.
From an early age, many of us are taught to prioritize logic over feeling, action over intuition, toughness over tenderness. We’re encouraged to push through, be strong, achieve. And while there’s nothing wrong with setting goals, we rarely learn how to listen to ourselves, how to recognize our own emotional landscape, how to be self-gentle in a world that values productivity over presence.
Why Sensitivity Matters
Sensitivity allows us to tune into our needs—to recognize when we need rest, nourishment, connection. It allows us to set boundaries that honor who we truly are. And it allows us to relate to others with depth and empathy.
Think about the most meaningful relationships in your life. The people who have made you feel seen, heard, understood. Chances are, those people were in touch with their own sensitivity, their own ability to feel and connect.
Without sensitivity, we move through life on autopilot, disconnected from ourselves and from others. We may meet expectations, fulfill obligations, but we do so at the cost of our inner world.
The Strength in Feeling
If you have ever felt like your sensitivity is a burden, I invite you to reframe it as a strength. Sensitivity gives us access to deeper joy, love, and creativity. It helps us navigate life with wisdom, because when we listen—truly listen—to what we feel, we make choices that are aligned with who we really are.
But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Sensitivity can be overwhelming, especially when we take on the emotions of others, when we absorb the energy of a room, when we feel so deeply that it almost hurts. This is where selfgentleness comes in.
Selfgentleness: Honoring Your Sensitivity
Selfgentleness is about acknowledging and honoring what you feel, rather than dismissing or suppressing it. It is about making space for your emotions, rather than pushing through them. It is about treating yourself with the same kindness and patience you would offer to someone you love.
It’s a lifelong practice, and one that becomes easier the more we commit to it.
An Invitation to Begin
If this resonates with you, I’d love to offer you a simple place to start. I’ve created a Free Selfgentleness Practices Guide with 16 selfgentle practices you can pick and choose from—small steps to help you cultivate more gentleness toward yourself in daily life.
This isn’t about adding another to-do to your list, but about finding small ways to honor your sensitivity, listen to yourself, and create moments of ease in your day.
Download your free Selfgentleness Checklist here.
Because selfgentleness isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation for living in alignment with who you truly are.
Be selfgentle, be sensitive, you are right just like you are,
All love, Femke
P.S. Photo by Valeriia Miller on Unsplash