Sensitivity vs. Fragility: An Artist's Perspective

T.L. Mazumdar Author

Sep 01, 2024 |

The profound difference between sensitivity and fragility through the lens of a multicultural artist.

Navigating the emotional labyrinth that comes with an artists lifestyle, I have often found my sensitivity—the very essence of my creative force—misinterpreted as something very similar but inherently different at it's core: fragility.

The confusion that resulted in not only felt undermining to my artistic endeavors but often an attempt to distort and misprepresent my emotional constitution.

As a third-culture artist, the mislabeling of something I was trained to and have considered my biggest strength (sensitivity) as ‘fragility’ (a word usually used in much more disturbing social themes today), would often feel like a legit threat to stifle my expression. It would leave me feeling hurt, disoriented, and in the worst case, disconnected from my own authentic, inner self.

Let's clarify a few myths around these two easily mistaken concepts.

Sensitivity--A Conduit of Creativity:

Sensitivity is an acute awareness, a heightened responsiveness to the world's subtleties.

It allows us to capture the ephemeral beauty of a moment, the intricate play of light and shadow, and the interplay of unspoken emotions. Sensitivity is the lifeblood of my creativity that transforms 'ordinary 'experiences into 'extraordinary' art.

Sensitivity has been my compass, guiding me through diverse landscapes of human experience that has been my upbringing, growing up between 3 continents and 4 countries. It is what helps me bridge cultural divides, find common ground in the shared language of art, and on some days know which direction the next step is best served to take.

Far from being a weakness, my sensitivity is my equivalent of a ‘superpower’. It imbues my work with the authenticity and resonance I strive to inject into it, attempting to create what is essentially a mirror into my soul.

Fragility: A Misunderstood Concept:

Fragility, in contrast, denotes a lack of resilience, a brittleness that crumbles under pressure.

A fragile person is usually overwhelmed by smaller adversities and is unable to bounce back from setbacks.

Fragility will usually concoct an image of a brand of susceptibility without the strength to navigate the very string of realities and events inherently connected to the human condition.

Where sensitivity connects us deeply to my emotions and surroundings, fragility can isolate us unnecessarily, creating barriers to our growth and expression. Fragility hinders our ability to engage with our external environments and transform the grapples of our experiences into something beautiful.

It is,one might argue the very essence of the art-making process.

The Misconception: Sensitivity as Fragility:

The conflation of sensitivity with fragility often stems from societal stereotypes that valorize a brand of stoicism while dismissing emotional expressiveness.

In many cultural contexts, sensitivity will even be unfairly tagged as emotional ‘instability’ or ‘weakness’. This misperception fails to recognize the profound strength found in being deeply attuned to our inner emotional landscape.

In my collaborations with artists from diverse backgrounds, it’s been easy to observe how sensitivity, when mislabeled as fragility leads to self-doubt and repression. It’s the kind of confusion that can often rob us of the courage to embrace our full emotional spectrum, hence diminishing our creative potential.

Embracing Sensitivity as Strength:

One of the first things I had to do to reclaim sensitivity as a strength on my own terms was to acknowledge its true value. Understanding how it is not about being easily hurt, and more about having the courage to feel deeply. And express those feelings sans inhibition, through art.

Here are a few steps I found useful while about this:

1. Honour Your Emotions:

Recognize and validate your emotional experiences. They are the raw material of your art, the threads that weave your unique narrative. Do not ever, let anybody (including yourself) deny their existence. Acknowledge and dig deep. Our emotions are a direct messenger of our subconscious mind on a mission to deliver essential messages to us.

1. Cultivate Mindfulness:

Mindfulness is not a cheap pop-spirituality trend but a but a genuinely helpful tool to help us regulate the nervous system and ensure our actions are based on authentic emotions. Not those created from a space of reacting to external stimuli or provocation.

Engage in practices that keep you grounded. This will help you navigate your emotional landscape without overwhelm, allowing you to channel safely and holistically.

1. Set Boundaries:

Set clear boundaries. Protect your emotional well-being. Sensitivity doesn’t mean absorbing the negative b.s in your environment.

Artists tend to be empathetic and intuitive. What doesn’t get talked about enough is how attractive that can be to emotional vampires looking to feed on your generosity, instead of taking responsibility for their own inner work. So be selective about who and what you engage with.

1. Seek Supportive Communities:

Surround yourself with individuals who understand and appreciate your sensitivity. Fellow artists, mentors, and coaches can provide the affirmation and guidance you need to thrive.

I’ve mentioned this frequently and I’ll mention this again: make sure you are clear on your core values in order to attract the right kind of people to build and nurture these communities.

1. Channel Emotions into Art:

This might sound a bit trite, but utilise your sensitivity.

Allow it to be the driving force behind your creative expression. Use your art to explore and articulate your emotional landscape, transforming vulnerability into strength.

The end result is a form of tangible ‘proof’ (for lack of a beter term) behind the theory being mentioned here.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between sensitivity and fragility is essential for our growth as artists.

Sensitivity is our creative powerhouse, enabling us to connect, create, and communicate on deeper levels. Embracing it and rejecting the misconception equating to fragility is essential for a meaningful and fulfilling artistic practice and career.

If we luck out, it could even be the catalyst for authentic and supportive artistic communities.

Moreoever if you’re a poly-cultural, global artist like me navigating multiple cultural landscape, know that our sensitivity is enriched deeply by the diverse tapestry of our experiences, even if they feel like a heavy load to bear on some days.

It is through this sensitivity that we can create art that transcends political boundaries, negative cultural idiosyncracies and speaks to the universal human experience.

So take a minute celebrate and nurture the gift.

Categories: : mental health, self care