Being Sensitive Is Not the Same As Being Reactive
They are two different things, reactivity and sensitivity.
Both are traits associated with emotionality. Both are riddled with strong reactions to change and challenges. But while one is a sign of immaturity, the other holds the power to unlock true personal growth.
Sensitivity is greatly misunderstood — and reactivity is its worst label.
Reactivity is the antithesis of proactivity.
Whereas the proactive person is resilient and adaptive, the reactive person allows that which is outside of their control to control them. They let their emotions and impulses dictate their actions, instead of adjusting their own behavior (over which they have control) to improve upon their situation. Thus, they allow themselves to become the victim of their circumstances, their moods, and everyone and everything around them.
And for some reason, this is made synonymous with sensitivity.
Sensitivity has long been associated with immaturity. The sensitive person is seen as emotionally inept — someone who overreacts to situations outside of their control. Their trait seems to be a maladaptation within this world, and thus they make up the very victims that their proactive peers frown upon.
But sensitivity is not reactivity. Sensitivity is responsiveness.
And being sensitive is perhaps the greatest asset for the proactive person.
Sensitivity means how deeply you perceive and respond to the world, both your physical and emotional environments.
As Jenn Granneman and Andre Sólo write further in their book Sensitive, sensitive individuals process information more deeply than others. They notice details most overlook, see patterns hidden to most, and understand themselves and others (not to mention, the situations they encounter) in ways that allow them to adjust more effectively to these than their peers.
According to Sensitive, heightened sensitivity comes with five gifts:
- Empathy: An elevated observation and consideration of other people’s emotions and states of mind, and a propensity to meet others with care
- Sensory intelligence: A more attuned awareness of environmental cues, and an ability to intuitively and smartly utilize these in order to adapt
- Depth of processing: A more thorough processing of information, with a careful, deliberate, and deeper-level approach to decision-making
- Depth of emotions: An intensified emotionality and understanding of what they mean and how to process them in a constructive manner
- Creativity: An ability to connect separate ideas with originality, and draw from emotional experiences, to create the best solutions and art
All these traits imply that sensitive people are able to be more adaptive and resilient — more proactive — in their daily lives. After all, in order to be truly proactive, one must be able to respond constructively to outer and inner challenges, which sensitive people do. They recognize their boundaries, and they adapt to these through a deeper understanding of their world and themselves.
(Contrast this with less-sensitive individuals, who often lack these traits.)
Sadly, because sensitivity is seen as an immature lack of control, it is frowned upon by society. The responsive and insightful nature of the sensitive individual is reduced to a form of emotional overreaction. And the hardened emotionality and muted responsiveness of the less sensitive is regarded as resilience and adaptability.
The thing is, proactivity is not about not reacting. It is about responding deliberately and constructively. And, as we have seen, sensitive people do this best.
Therefore, reactivity and sensitivity are two very different things.
Whereas reactivity signals immaturity, sensitivity paves the road for maturity.
While reactivity is a choice that harms its holder, sensitivity is perhaps the greatest gift a person could be bestowed with on their path to proactivity.
