Dear Readers,

Let's get this straight. I will be completely honest with you. I will not carefully omit the discussion about what the root of my intentions through this post are going to be. I don't intend to hold back on the meaning or reasons behind why I've chosen to address my thoughts about the popular phrase that people, ironically, seem to be overusing or misusing, and/or just plain ol' misunderstanding.

I've received both subtle and blatant comments from others about my "extraness." About my tendency to go "a little over the top" for certain things. About the ways in which I've chosen to live my life. About how I seem to go out of my way for specific reasons in regard to the consequences that may follow.

Although originally meant to be light, airy, and comical, calling someone "a little too extra" can have a much more derogatory connotation than you may think. It can be gone about subtly or blatantly — both or either in a large or small setting.

It's something that everyone seems to say without really thinking about how the other person may perceive things. On a larger scale, when something seems universally understood as being totally unnecessary, it may be more appropriate and comical to slide that comment into the conversation.

But when there's a smaller number of people who don't completely know one another, it causes the listener to question what the speaker really meant when they made the statement as it also allows the speaker to be unchallenged in judging whoever their subject is because they don't actually know what the root of the so-called "extraness" may be.

It's important for me to note that I in no way lack a sense of humor about how I live my life and that certain things I do may be inessential. In fact, I laugh at myself most of the time because the systems that I use throughout my daily routine sometimes seem a little out of whack. The humor I find in those situations is that I'm human, I mess up, and most of the time, life seems like a constant cycle of trial and error until you get it right.

But when it is implied that my typical ways of living life are not received in approval when my intentions are from the heart and the term of "extra" has been thrown around a bit, then that's when it becomes personal.

Some will say that people are too sensitive--that they are much too aware of their surroundings and over-analyze the circumstances beyond any means necessary. That anything can be misconstrued and twisted into whatever the victim wants to hear.

Others would say that these souls deserve to be heard, too-sensitive or not. That our voices and perspectives matter and relate to more people than we ever would've thought.

Personally, I believe that there is a balance between both of these claims.

I recognize that everyone has different topics that they have opinions on. Topics that are important to them because they have experience in it. And that's what makes us sensitive to things because these topics are what makes it feel personal in the end.

But in being sensitive to those subjects, I sincerely consider it significant that we should be multi-faceted and view situations from multiple perspectives. In seeing situations in this way, we are more capable of knowing how our words and actions affect the other person.

I am someone who loves to give whether that be baking, spending time with someone, etc. because that is one of the ways I feel I can be the most sincere in showing my appreciation and affection for others. Those are usually my intentions--me trying to give back for the amount of goodness I have been given in my life.

So when the term "extra" comes up, I get a little hot and bothered.

And I know that sometimes the term gets thrown around without people knowing the full extent of how it affects people.

I'm not claiming to be the victim. Nor am I trying to rile anybody up.

I'm trying to get the point across that everyone feels unappreciated or misunderstood at some point in their life, and when that happens, we should be a little more sensitive to how our words and actions affect others because we never know where they are in life.

Every word.

Every tone.

Every subtle action.

They matter.

Whether we like it or not, they determine our courses one small step at a time.

I don't say this to make you uncomfortable or worry about every little detail in your life. I say this to make you aware that as people we need to be more considerate and sensitive to every person we speak to.

Their intentions and heart may hold the world for us or they may not.

So before we assume a label on anyone, we just need to give them a chance to show us who they are.

Because you never know.

Sincerely,

A girl who may or may not be "a little too extra"