“I’m probably just being overly sensitive,” my colleague, Jenna, remarked as she recounted a disagreement at the office. “I should probably just let it go and see if I’m being irrational,” she continued, hesitating between her feelings and the facts. It was as if her emotions were clashing—she wanted to express her thoughts, but feared being labeled as “too emotional.” Unfortunately, like many women, she struggled to acknowledge her own feelings.
Countless women have found themselves in similar situations, often saying things that undermine their emotions or being accused of being “too sensitive.” Society has imposed a rigid image of how we should present ourselves: perfectly fitting pencil skirts, flawlessly applied makeup, and an unruffled demeanor. Frowning in public? Absolutely not—expressing any displeasure would be seen as unacceptable. We are expected to maintain composure, rationality, and politeness at all times.
But why should we conform to these restrictive norms? Humans are inherently emotional beings. We experience sadness, joy, disappointment, excitement, and anger. Unfortunately, society often devalues women’s emotions (and men’s too, for that matter). We’re allowed to feel joy and contentment, but when it comes to sadness or anger, the message is clear: women should suppress those feelings. The unsaid rule seems to be to keep your emotions bottled up, preventing any release.
However, failing to express our emotions only leads to an internal buildup. Unaddressed anger and sadness accumulate, creating a volatile situation. Yet, showing those feelings can sometimes lead to being perceived as unhinged.
I used to be a master at bottling things up myself. If motherhood brought me sadness, I’d swallow those feelings. If someone offended me, my emotional burden would just grow heavier. But I’ve learned to let it out. Life can be tough, and it’s crucial to communicate when you’re feeling hurt or frustrated.
Just the other day in a graduate class, we were having a discussion on feminism. Various opinions flew around the room, and I noticed one student, Lisa, becoming visibly frustrated. She tried to share her perspective but was consistently overlooked. Her meek demeanor made her an easy target for dismissal.
I finally decided to intervene. “Let her speak,” I asserted. “She’s been attempting to make her point for ten minutes!” I let my own frustrations spill out, which encouraged Lisa to share her thoughts more boldly as well. In that moment, both of us stopped worrying about being perfectly composed. Instead, we expressed ourselves passionately.
To our surprise, the class began to listen more intently. By voicing our thoughts and emotions openly, rather than suppressing them, we were taken more seriously. Sometimes, a little chaos is necessary to clear the air.
So, the next time you find yourself in a disagreement—whether at work or elsewhere—and feel like you’re being “too sensitive,” remember: you’re simply being human. Don’t bottle up your feelings like a vacuum. Empty that bag, even if it creates a bit of a mess; after all, you can always clean it up later. For those interested in understanding more about emotional well-being, check out this excellent resource on various treatments.
In summary, acknowledging and expressing emotions is a vital aspect of being human. Don’t shy away from sharing your feelings, whether in personal or professional settings. Embrace your emotions; they are a natural part of life.