Okay, this quote is uber cheesy and I don’t believe that whoever you’re meant to be with should really treat you like you’re perfect (you’re not), but let’s real talk for a second.
Today I was reading posts from Humans of New York and came across one about an old couple who said they depended on each other more since they grew old:
"We depend on each other more than we used to"
I started thinking about (for real) how people get pretty gross when they get old. I mean, things start breaking and not working, and sometimes you’re just gonna be unable to help it/pitiful. That’s what happens. So the phrase “I want to grow old with you” took on new meaning for me.
Growing old with someone isn’t about being sweet and drinking juice and sitting in rocking chairs together. I mean- that stuff too, but it’s also about being able to be completely comfortable with one another and depend on one another, in a non-cutesy way. When you grow old, you sort of shed your skin. You’re not gonna look your best or smell your best or anything, so you’d better be comfortable with the person you love seeing you that way, and be comfortable with seeing them that way. You’ll both be imperfect in a lot of ways, so I think it’d be rad to find someone to laugh about it with. That’s what growing old together means to me now. Cool.
: easily upset by the things that people think or say about you
: likely to cause people to become upset
: aware of and understanding the feelings of other people
I have a lot of thoughts about this one. When I first moved to Oregon, on a camping trip with my close friends, I overheard a conversation a couple of my peers were having:
"Have you ever noticed that Kayley is like, really sensitive?"
"Yeah, she is."
"Like she can't take a joke."
Naturally, being sensitive, I went to the bathroom and cried about it. After my tears were dried and the situation with my friends was rectified, though, I was left with this personality reveal to solve: was I too sensitive?
On the one hand, I think I was. When I first moved to Oregon, I hadn't really been made fun of, and it was really hard for me to get teased, even if it was good-hearted. I distinctly remember one instance when some older friends came over and were quipping about the oily state of my hair (I didn't wash it very regularly- why I persisted in my bad hygiene at the time is beyond me).
When they made their joke, I managed something similar to, "Yeah, I guess you guys will have to come over and show me how!" in response, biting my lip to keep my eyes from watering. Then, when they left, I cried about it.
I remember that being a big humbling experience for me, because I realized that it was only my pride that debilitated me from being okay with being teased. Also it's just embarrassing to have bad hygiene, but you see what I'm getting at.
The next summer, when my brother made fun of me for a considerable acne spot on my forehead, I was able to come back quickly: "You know, I had always planned for the day when someone would tease me about acne- I'm just glad it came from you." Observers were pleased with that response.
My point is, the kind of sensitive where you're too proud to partake in goodhearted teasing is not a good kind.
However, there is another kind of sensitive, illustrated well in the quote below:
"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even thought the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place." -Iain Thomas
This kind of sensitive is the good kind. The idealistic and dare I say emotional kind of sensitive that encourages empathy and altruism. We need people in this world who are willing to put themselves in other people's shoes. Sensitive people just happen to put themselves in everyone else's shoes, they feel the things that go on around then deeply.
I know that there is a place for those predominately concerned with taking action or coming at problems very logically, but I prefer to be one of the predominately feeling ones, and I don't think that's a bad thing. There is a lot to be gained from carefully considering and taking in the world around you as the sensitive do.
I'm not trying to sound superior- like I said, each kind of person holds their merit. But I think there's a special purpose for the sensitive folk, and they (we) are important. After all, every type of person can fit together to make the world go round.
Here's another quote relating to this topic, focused on women specifically, and the common accusation that we are too emotional.
So there you have it- be empathetic, hey be easily hurt if that's how you are, but be able to recognize the difference between goodhearted teasing and ill-willed mocking. That's what I've figured out about being a sensitive person so far!
Thank you for reading!
PS: I began writing this post way earlier than now, I have a lot of drafts in my blog that I just haven't finished and will get to. I just finished this one and it's now 3 AM so I bid you adieu and goodnight!
