Being tough

Sometimes I wonder if I was tougher when I was getting bullied then I am now.  I am a very sensitive person anyway but since people don't say mean things to me everyday anymore, I find it hard when they do. I think it's almost unhealthy. I don't know why words affect me quite so badly but they do. I assume that things were easier to ignore when I was getting bullied because I just got so used to hearing them, I ignored, the words were overused and had a weaker effect. I don't know if it is something that the bullying left or just me but any time someone says something slightly negative about me or something I have done, it feels like I've been stabbed. I don't know why it has such a harsh affect on me but I find it hard to stop myself taking it personally. I feel like that person getting bullied, weak and as if whatever I say or do will be mocked even though now it's not the same. I hate feeling this way, I hate that sometimes my eyes sting with tears in these situations, especially if I'm already out of my comfort zone but it seems that I can't get over it. 

I hope I find a way to not link the pain I feel now to the pain I did then but I don't know why it's so strong.