Research from Oxford University shows that the exact same genes that make you prone to depression also allow you to experience extreme joy. Certain genes simply make you more sensitive to your surroundings, so you experience higher highs and lower lows. You are much more likely to deal with severe depression and other mental illnesses and you are more easily affected by a negative environment than less sensitive people. But that is not the entire story.

A few months ago a friend told me that I was, "just too sensitive." Clearly those words stuck with me, and for the longest time I fought with them, telling myself they were wrong. But when I finally came to grips with the fact that they're not, it was liberating. I laugh looking back because sensitivity is probably my most obvious trait, as well as my greatest strength.

If you're a sensitive soul, ashamed or disappointed with your lot in life, here are 10 reasons you should own the sensitive mess that you are.

1. We are empathetic.

This is number one because it's my favorite thing about being sensitive (and, let's be real, also because I get to use a Nick Miller gif). Being empathetic allows me to relate to people around me because I can (sometimes literally) feel what they are feeling. It's emotionally draining but it allows empaths to communicate and help people who are hurting.

2. We love hard.

Basically, we are Ellie. But in a more quiet, emotional way. We deal with more heartbreak, sure, but the love is so worth it.

3. We forgive.

This is a tough one because it's easy to be too forgiving and keep yourself stuck in bad friendships or relationships. However, the power to forgive is a strength that keeps us from holding grudges and allows us to be kind to people even after they hurt us.

4. We experience deeper joy.

Sure, we experience some lows, but when the goods are this good, who cares?

5. We feel you.

Even if we haven't been down that road, we still feel you, honey child. It's one of the many wonders of empathy. We get it, we can relate, and we're here to help.

6. We make great mediators.

We see both sides. In everything. All the time. So use us to help you settle a conflict because we can probably help you see the other side too.

7. We cry a lot.

Oh, you thought this was a bad thing. Well look at this. Or this. Or this. Or this.

tl;dr: they all say the same thing; crying is good for you.

8. We care about you.

And what more could you want in a friend?

9. We fight passionately for what we believe in.

This pairs well with number ten. We care a lot about people and their feelings which means we are not going to pick a fight and probably avoid conflict as much as possible. But we will fight if we have to. Not for the sake of argument, but to defend our core beliefs.

10. We have mastered quiet strength.

This was my biggest battle as a sensitive girl. I thought my sensitivity made me weaker than my loud, boisterous counterparts...boy was I was wrong. My strength, I've learned, comes from a place of quiet and calm that (in my humble, very biased opinion) is much stronger than a strength that feels the need to shout to be heard. I am strong in my resolve and my beliefs and my passion for others, and none of those things have to be loud to be heard.