Mental Health Moments: Sentimentality Is A Blessing -- Not A Curse
⌛ By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛
I have worn my entire heart on my sleeve my entire life.
Even when others can’t see it or I purposely hide it, my sentimentality is my saving grace but largest life villain. There have been plenty of times that I have used my heart to guide me instead of my brain. I’ve given to others who are incapable of reciprocating kindness and even basic human decency.
I used to be obsessed with helping others, to the point that I risked my own well-being and got myself into some trying situations. (I’m sure a lot of us can say the same!)
It has taken me decades around the sun to realize this, but I am finally coming to terms with my sentimentality to its full extent. What I once saw as a blatant character “flaw” is now one of my greatest blessings. Instead of asking, “Why do I have to be this way?”, I see it in a whole different light now, especially as I grow as a storyteller and in my personal life.
So, what are some benefits of sentimentality?
You feel things very deeply.
This, of course, is a double-edged sword. When you showcase your sentimentality, it opens up your most vulnerable notions and thoughts. Some people could take advantage of that because they know you will do something anyway, and using your feelings against you could give them what they want. It’s also scary to be vulnerable, especially in larger audiences because you fear judgment, isolation, and other thoughts you tell yourself. However, with all of the risk involved, opening your heart has a multitude of benefits. Your memories will become vibrant, and you will fully appreciate life around you. When you feel things, you feel them in an unfiltered way.
But, also be careful to not be a sponge, either. I tend to soak up the energy of the room -- good or bad -- instead of using my own feelings to establish my mood.
You can get to the root of your story and others.
I’m essentially one of my family’s main chroniclers, as I love to delve into the past, think about the present, and dream of the future. I am a mass collector of photographs, stories, and other memorabilia that remind me oy bygone times. One of the main reasons I chose my career path was because I was attracted to being a storyteller. For me, telling stories never gets stale or boring. When you seek out your own story -- and those of others -- you create meaningful memories that can be shared throughout the generations. You know questions to ask and how to formulate the narrative to do people’s tellings justice.
Plus, this helps you if you have a small business or side venture. Using your own traits and sentiment analysis will help you craft tailored messages and hone in on your niches and values. As you know, Hourglass Media is a Lover, first and foremost, so I use my sentimentality for ALL OF THE THINGS to drive much of Hourglass Media’s mission and vision.
You understand others on an empathetic level.
When someone comes to you with an issue or just to talk about something, you will know how to best handle the situation. Even if you haven’t dealt with the topic of discussion personally, you will use empathy and sympathy to provide advice, support, and comfort. Empathy is, “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” Sympathy is, “feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.” While sympathy is most certainly needed in many events in our lives, using empathy is often one of the best paths you can take, especially when an event doesn’t directly influence you but someone else. It’s better to listen to the other person while providing insight, careful to not steer the conversation to your own experiences and stories. Use those to provide empathy during your time of need. Also, be wary of being taken advantage of here as well. When people know you’re empathetic, they could constantly come to you in lieu of facing their problems. It’s important to establish boundaries to protect your own mental health in these cases. For those with sentimental strain, it’s extra challenging to step away from helping others, but you have to remember that you matter, too!
JOURNAL PROMPT: What are you sentimental about? How can you use that to your benefit?
Just as an example, here is what I am sentimental about:
My marriage and essentially anything with my husband
My pregnancy with our first-born child (still ongoing!)
Family memories, heirlooms, etc.
Photographs
My journals and various experiences in my life (both big and small)
My career
All of my cats
Books, movies, TV shows
Certain smells, like coconut, lavender, etc.
Places I’ve traveled
Please note: These blog posts are not clinical, although we will provide symptoms and other information. These posts are based on my experiences with anxiety and mental health in general. If you or someone you know needs help, visit a website like Mental Health America to learn more.
Mental Health Moments blog posts are every other Tuesday of the month. Our CEO and contributors highlight what it's like to live with a mental health disorder and continue to fight the stigma through storytelling.
Kaylin R. Staten, APR, is an award-winning public relations practitioner and writer based in Huntington, WV with 18 years of professional communications experience. As CEO and founder of Hourglass Media, she uses her compassionate spirit and expertise to delve into the heart of clients’ stories. She is a recovering perfectionist, mental health advocate, wife, Luke’s mom, cat mom and Leia Organa aficionado. Connect with Kaylin on LinkedIn.