Sensitive people have many strengths. For example, your increased sensitivity might help you show empathy for other people. But being a sensitive person can also lead to some challenges, like taking things too personally. Comments or experiences that don't have a significant impact on others might leave you feeling anxious or ashamed. You also might blame yourself for things that aren't your fault and have a hard time letting things go.
If you tend to take things personally and it's negatively impacting your well-being or your relationships, know that you can overcome this challenge with the right support. In this article from Rula, you can learn to harness the power of your sensitivity without letting it overwhelm you.
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. And when your actions negatively affect other people, it's important to take responsibility and apologize. But people who take things personally often misinterpret others' comments or actions. They may think another person's actions are related to them even when they're not. This can make them feel criticized and singled out when that wasn't the other person's intention.
For example, let's say you're driving to work and a speeding driver swerves past you and cuts you off. As they pull around you, you can hear them shouting obscenities at you, clearly in a fit of road rage.
Of course, no one likes dealing with angry drivers. It can be unsettling to be shouted or honked at while you're behind the wheel. Some people in this situation would be able to shrug it off and go about their business. They could see that the incident was caused by a person who was clearly having a bad day and know that it probably had nothing to do with them.
But someone who tends to take things personally might ruminate about the interaction for a long time and internalize the problem. Despite knowing that they were driving safely and not breaking any traffic laws, they may feel responsible for what happened and continue to fixate on that angry driver and how that person feels about them.
The following tips can help you learn to take things less personally without losing your ability to show care and concern for others.
There's no quiz or test that can tell you if you're taking things too personally. But there are some common signs and symptoms to be aware of, including:
We don't know all the reasons that lead some people to take things more personally than other people do. This experience may stem from a combination of factors, including low self-esteem, past experiences, a tendency toward perfectionism, and emotional sensitivity.
However, researchers have discovered a link between being sensitive and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). So having this condition might make you more likely to take things personally.
Everyone takes things personally sometimes. But if you feel stuck in a cycle of self-blame and sensitivity, know that help is available. With the right support, you can learn to have empathy for others while maintaining healthy boundaries.
This story was produced by Rula and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.