Ever felt like you’re too passionate to just play it cool?

Yeah. Us too.

In this episode of Too Much Apparently, we (Carly and Alice — two therapists and recovering perfectionists with squishy brains) get real about loving things deeply. The kind of enthusiasm that makes you dive headfirst into hobbies, interests, research, fandoms, or ideas… and then suddenly wonder if you should tone it down because everyone else seems a lot more chill.

We talk about what it’s like to be the kind of people who don’t do things casually — who get excited, curious, invested, and sometimes a bit obsessive — and how that can feel embarrassing in a culture that values being cool, detached, and effortless.

This time we talked about:

🎙️ We’ve felt this thing too (and we still do): Hello hyperfixations, falling down research rabbit holes, and accidentally making a hobby your entire personality for three months.

👀 What it looks like in real life: Getting wildly excited about things other people seem neutral about, feeling self-conscious about your enthusiasm, or trying to act less interested than you actually are.

🧠 Why our brains do it: Curiosity, pattern-seeking minds, dopamine, and the nervous-system joy that comes from deep engagement and learning.

🧍🏽‍♀️🧍🏻 The different ways it shows up: For some people it’s creative projects or learning new skills, for others it’s books, fandoms, research spirals, niche interests, or intense phases of curiosity.

🧰 Coping mechanisms: Trying to play it cool, downplaying your excitement, pretending you’re less invested than you are, or saving your enthusiasm for “safe” people.

🌱 How to make peace with it: Maybe the goal isn’t becoming less passionate — it’s finding spaces where enthusiasm is welcome instead of embarrassing.

Thanks for listening

          💛💜🩷🩵🧡

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👩‍💻 Carly Radford:

→ Website: www.carlyradford.com

→ Instagram: @the_sensitivity_therapist

👩🏻‍💻 Alice Tew:

→ Website: www.alicetew.com

→ Instagram: @reparentingwithalice

📩 Email us: toomuchapparently@gmail.com

🗓️ New episodes every Monday

This is a podcast that says: bring your too-muchness… we’re here for it.

Disclaimer: Just a quick note to say this podcast isn’t therapy, and it’s not a substitute for professional support. We’re here to share ideas and experiences, but if you’re struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a support service near you.

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sensitivity podcast, overthinking podcast, therapy podcast, belonging podcast, mental health podcast, deep chat podcast, neurodivergent podcast, autism podcast, adhd podcast, outsider syndrome, feeling different podcast, people pleasing podcast, authenticity podcast, friendship podcast, autistic joy, special interests, passions, hobbies, RSD, rejection sensitivity

Episode ID: 1000755515012

GUID: f5c6bc1d-ad9c-4d5c-959a-55f41735c80c

Release Date: 16/03/2026, 06:00:00